Supportive housing development gets OK

Osborne Village

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This article was published 03/05/2023 (956 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City Centre community committee dealt with a busy agenda on April 25.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, a number of projects were discussed. A combined subdivision, rezoning, and variance application to build a four storey, 51-unit multifamily affordable and supported housing development composed as two buildings separated by a public lane off River Avenue was approved. The project requested 36 parking stalls, and included over 30 parking stalls and an agreement with Peg City Car Co-op to provide a carshare parking spot.

Shirley Forsyth spoke in opposition to the project, objecting to the loss of mature shade growing trees and variances allowing for reduced setbacks that in turn reduce existing greenspace.

“This development should not go forward as is,” she said.

“I’d like to see this building done,” Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) said in support, but added she wanted to see more discussions with public works and the planning department before the project is built. “I encourage all parties to continue talking.”

An amendment to a zoning agreement for 75 Waterbury Dr. was approved, to reduce the rear yard to a storm water retention pond for a single family dwelling.

A rezoning and variance application at 751 McMillan Ave., from a single-family zoning to a small density multifamily zoning, to build a four-unit building on the site, was approved.

A number of neighbours were registered in opposition, in particular the reduced setbacks, lack of parking, and loss of mature trees, arguing approval of the project would set a negative precedent for the neighbourhood.

“I do believe that the increase of housing options is a priority for me as a councillor,” Rollins said, noting that developments like this are appropriate for the area, particularly on a corner lot.

A rezoning and variance application for 638 Jubilee Ave., from R1 to R2, to convert existing two-storey dwelling into a two-family dwelling, was also approved.

“This is a dream project,” Rollins said in support. “For reasons of climate, which we talked about in the strategic plan, I am supportive of this project. Environmental friendly design? Let’s go!”

Although there were a number of items on the regular meeting agenda, five of six delegates who registered to speak brought up concerns regarding the city’s strategic action plan. In particular, plans to widen Kenaston Boulevard and extend the Chief Peguis Trail drew criticism, especially in regards to the return on investment on the projects, which are expected to cost over $1 billion.

“Are they going to be worth the price?” Mel Marginet, who spoke as a South Osborne resident and on behalf of the Green Action Centre, asked the committee. Instead, Marginet recommended those funds be invested in transit and active transportation projects throughout the city. “More people moving, more money for the city. That’s a win-win.”

“It was interesting listening to delegates today,” Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) said. “There is dialogue to bring this forward to EPC but have it lay over, so we can do a little more work before approving the strat plan.”

“This is a lot of what I ran on,” Rollins said about the strategic plan, in general. She also added that the plan will go up through levels of council, with directions to report back on objectives throughout the process of approval. “This is an important milestone.”

Also during the regular meeting, over a dozen per capita grants for community projects and events were approved, as were occasional liquor permits for the Manitoba Craft Council, Pride Winnipeg Festival, and the Wildwood Park Community Centre. A land dedication reserve grant for $17,315 was approved for École Crane School to transform part of its school grounds into a community nature play and outdoor learning space.

A plan approval for a multi-tenant commercial building at 900 Taylor Ave. was also approved.