Back to the drawing board for McMillan Avenue project

Crescentwood

Fort Rouge

South Osborne

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This article was published 05/03/2025 (226 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City Centre community committee held its regular meeting on Feb. 24.

Following a public hearing, the committee rejected a zoning agreement amendment for a proposed mixed-use development at 915 McMillan Ave. Plans were originally approved in 2021, but multiple changes were brought to the attention of the committee last week, such as switching parking from underground to above-ground, upgrading to 30 units from the original 22, room for bicycles, and removing a commercial patio, as well as balconies on the north and south sides of the building.

Explaining the change, the owner stressed making the project economically feasible by scrapping non-required costs associated with underground parking and balconies that weren’t necessary.

In rejecting the amendment, Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry) noted the impact the “substantial” changes would have on the surrounding neighbourhood, including factors such as traffic flow and the general look of the building’s exterior.

“I am pro-balcony,” she said. “I do not believe that you’re leering into your neighbours just because you have a window or balcony … Whether you see that as a potential community benefit, or removal allows increased ease of foot traffic, matters not — it is a substantial change.”

Rollins did express support for increasing the number of residential units, and the addition of bike spaces to the property. The building, if completed, will be four storeys tall and contain two ground-floor commercial units.

A variance for a proposed development at 128 River Ave. was also approved, bringing the number of parking spots down to five from the recommended six — with no allocated guest parking — and a lot area per dwelling of 241.42 square feet instead of 382. If completed, the site will be home to a six-storey building containing 19 units, four of which will be affordable. There will also be six bike stalls and a new Peg City Car Co-op stall.

Extensions of time were also approved for a proposed closing of part of the public lane east of 1022 Pembina Hwy., west of 968 Merriam Blvd., as well as the subdivision and rezoning which would follow, to Feb. 23, 2026.

The committee also approved $114,975 in funding for the William Osler rink board replacement project through the River Heights-Fort Garry land dedication reserve fund. The project aims to replace existing rink boards, which have been repaired annually since 1993. This would also include the addition of new chain-link protective mesh, two gates, and a tractor-access gate. According to the application, work should begin this spring and be ready by the end of the year.

Finally, the committee approved multiple grants — $800 in support of the Ellice Street Festival to be held May 30 and 31; $500 in support of the Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre’s annual fundraiser on June 5; and $500 to cover food and entertainment costs for an annual children’s festival through James Child Care.

Assiniboia Community Committee holds 15-minute meeting

With no big-ticket items on its agenda, the Assiniboia community committee sped through its Feb. 25 meeting.

The committee requested that the city’s public service report back with an outline of plans to connect the neighbourhoods of Charleswood and Linden Woods within the Winnipeg Transit network, including stops at Oak Park and Shaftesbury High Schools. A bus route connecting the two areas of the city currently doesn’t exist, according to notes presented at the meeting, despite the Linden Woods neighbourhood being included in the catchment area of both schools. The outline is scheduled to be presented to the committee on Sept. 11.

The committee also requested the plan outline of a proposed expansion of Winnipeg Transit service to Festival Drive in Headingley, which leads to Red River Exhibition Park, west of the Perimeter Highway.

An extension of time for the rezoning of the Kenaston Snow Dump — located south of 1301 Kenaston Blvd. and west of the Canadian Pacific Railway rail line — to Dec. 23 of this year was also approved.

Finally, the committee recommended that a new granite pedestrian pathway be installed along the east side of Chalfont Road, from Roblin Boulevard to the south side of Grant Avenue.