Supportive housing project approved

West Broadway

Osborne Village

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This article was published 30/06/2023 (819 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City Centre community committee met on June 19, its final regular meeting before summer break.

Public hearings were held on a handful of development proposals. A rezoning and variance application for 102 Pulford St., from multi-family medium to commercial, in order to turn the existing two-storey home into an office for Paquin Entertainment’s agency division, was approved.

“This is not intended to be a commercial-facing business,” noted Jamie Rosin, representing Paquin Entertainment. “We’re not looking to change the character of the neighbourhood at all.”

Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) expressed concerns regarding the secondary plan for the area allowing commercial enterprises to push out residential options for residents, while commercial units in the area remain vacant. However, she supported the project itself.

“Pulford is a community that will happily accept Paquin Entertainment,” Rollins said.

A combined subdivision, rezoning and variance application for 282 and 284 Balmoral Ave., to consolidate the two properties and rezone the properties for a four-storey multifamily affordable, transitional housing project was also approved. Rents would be aimed at 59 per cent of CMHC’s median rent, and would provide a number of amenities for residents, including use of a Peg City Car Co-op vehicle, to be parked on site, at a discount. One property is vacant, the other is home to an apartment building built in 1898.

“This is a transformational project, and relatively rare in respect to our transitional needs, and women’s independence and security,” Rollins said in support. “We need to be supporting housing projects like this.”

Finally, a variance application for 162 Scott St., to allow for three additional units within a multi-family development, at the expense of 11 parking spots, was also approved.

In addition, two land dedication grants were approved for projects that didn’t meet the program’s criteria.

The first, $20,000 for the West End Business Improvement Zone’s Sargent Mural Project, will help provide funding for four mural projects along Sargent Avenue. Tentative locations include: the east wall, facing sidewalk, of 814 Sargent Ave.; the east wall of Charito’s Salon (796 Sargent Ave.); the west wall of TN Hair Studio (757 Sargent Ave.); and the west wall facing the sidewalk of 528 Sargent Ave. The application received unanimous support from the committee.

The second, $10,000 for the Osborne Village Business Improvement Zone’s SABE Peace Walkers initiative also received unanimous support.

“Osborne Village residents expressed interest in a more harmonious neighbourhood,” Rollins said. “This is a strategy that has engaged local businesses and neighbours. They’ve been a really successful initiative.”

Rollins added that the initiative has funding from other sources in the BIZ area.

A number of small per capita grants, between $300 and $50, were also approved for a variety of neighbourhood events and projects.