Infill needed for healthy neighbourhoods

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This article was published 25/02/2019 (2503 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

St. James is one of the oldest communities in Winnipeg. Since the first settlements in the late 1800s, there has been much growth over that time in the pre-Unicity areas of St. James and Assiniboia. A mixture of 100-year-old homes in the mature areas, subdivisions that were built post-war such as Birchwood and Silver Heights, and the build-out of Westwood, St. Charles and Crestview in the ’60s makes up the majority of St. James’ current housing stock. By the mid-1970s, most available serviced residential lands had been developed.

That means that for over 40 years, infill construction has been critical to renewing the housing options available to residents of St. James. 

While many older homes have been well-kept and maintained, others have fallen into a state of disrepair after years of neglected maintenance. In some cases the best thing for the neighbourhood is that these houses be removed and replaced with a brand-new infill build. In addition to renewing the housing stock available, infill development helps add density which is a key component in the creation of affordable and sustainable neighbourhoods. In some instances, infill takes the form of multi-unit apartment blocks. Other times it is the straight one-for-one swap of a new home constructed on a subdivided lot. 

The City of Winnipeg has been developing residential infill guidelines in order to better plan for and anticipate residential infill needs. The aim of the guidelines is to provide residents, developers and City administration with a measure of standardization and predictability for infill development. These guidelines were recently introduced to a council committee and debate is set to take place over the next couple of months. 

With proper guidelines, the City can determine the desired form of residential infill and eliminate the disputes between builders and neighbours that potentially create conflict within a community. While the size or shape of a home may change, the aim is to ensure that there is a general standard that is upheld which reflects the desires of a mature and established neighbourhood.

As area councillor, I appreciate the pressing need for more affordable seniors housing. Infill development is critical to meeting that need. Residents consistently tell me that they wish to move from their single-family house yet remain close to home in St. James throughout their retirement years. The positive domino effect of increasing seniors housing availability is that the homes they leave become the single-family options for the next generation of St. James residents. 

The first major subdivision added to St. James in over half a century will arrive as the residential component to CentrePort is developed in future years. Until then, St. James needs residential infill in order to have a healthy neighbourhood with a variety of housing options for all residents.

If you have an opinion on infill and what you would like to see in the Residential Infill Guidelines, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (204)986-5848 or email me at scottgillingham@winnipeg.ca

Scott Gillingham

Scott Gillingham was the city councillor for St. James - Brooklands - Weston from 2014 to 2022. He was elected Mayor of Winnipeg in 2022.

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