Jubilee apartment plans delayed

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This article was published 19/02/2021 (1732 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An application to build two eight-unit apartments on Jubilee Avenue was laid over until April by the city’s appeal committee on Feb. 18.

The combined hearing on a variance and conditional use for the properties at 912 and 914 Jubilee by applicant Vitaly Ishin of Vishin Developments drew more than two dozen residents who spoke or wrote in opposition to the plan, as did the area councillor.

The committee voted to adjourn the hearing until April 22, and directed the developer to hold meetings with area residents and the city planning department.

The application is for a pair of three-storey multifamily buildings on the properties, which are currently vacant. The area is zoned R2 for two-family residential, and the variance is needed to build the eight-unit buildings.

Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) said the buildings would create an adverse effect on the adjacent properties and the neighbourhood as a whole. Duplexes would be better suited to the lots, she suggested, which speaks to how the residents are in favour of modest density housing.

 “The size and scope of plan is not compatible with the area,” Rollins said.

She asked the committee to connect with administration and adjourn for a period of two months.

“There is insufficient consultation here,” she said. “My position is that consultation should be relevant to the size and scope of the project.”

Resident Bennie Gusnowsky spoke about how the neighbourhood wasn’t consulted and about the negative impact the buildings would have.

“The plans show buildings that are 17-plus feet taller than adjacent homes, and we’re already living in one of the taller houses in our neighbourhood,” he said, adding the buildings would be close to twice the footprint of the adjacent homes.

Gusnowsky lives in a duplex at 920 Jubilee with his family. His mother, Heather Gusnowsky, owns the other side of the building at 918 Jubilee.

“The plans show parking for the units pressed right up against the back lane, which means the cars would be forced onto private property,” he said. “There’s nowhere near for people to park on our block of Jubilee, as parking was removed to make way for the Rapid Transit system. This forces all taxis, deliveries and visitors to use the back lane.”

Gusnowsky said the neighbourhood is in favour of a pair of duplexes being built on the two lots, but not buildings which could house up to 60 people.

Resident Michelle Hauri spoke about current multi-family homes already in the neighbourhood.

“There’s a six-plex nearby that already is causing problems. Vehicles are already driving onto private property to get around each other. Garbage and recycling collecting is a problem. In this case, spaced out as per city regulations, it would take 96 feet of space in the lane for those bins,” Hauri said.

Developer Vitaly Ishin spoke to his intention to provide quality housing for future tenants in a nice neighbourhood.

“Many people want to rent rather than purchase a home,” he said. “Units like this would be suitable for the younger generation, many of whom don’t own cars. Rapid Transit would work for them.”

Ishin said Peg City Car Co-op supports having one of its cars located on the property, which would allow future residents access to a co-op vehicle.