Plans approved at final meeting before summer break

St. James - Assiniboia

The Assiniboia community committee held a regular meeting on June 22.

Several plans for new developments across the southwest wards in the city were granted approval.

Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood – Tuxedo – Westwood) and Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) had several concerns over a lack trees and shrubs on the sites of two multi-family development proposals — a 14-unit townhouse development at 4506 Grant Ave. and a three-storey, 46 unit multifamily building at 375 Oakdale Dr.

Duncan also raised concerns about trees adjacent to the development property.

“I’m more so concerned with the trees on the western boundary,” said Duncan, citing a short distance between the construction site and private property beside the Grant Avenue development.

“The developer is going to ensure that whatever trees on site are going to be salvaged or protected,” Duncan confirmed with the applicant.

A new multifamily stacked townhouse on Frontier Trail was approved on the condition that the approval does not go into effect until a related variance is approved at the next Assiniboia meeting to be held on Sept. 4.

A proposal to demolish an existing single-family dwelling at 410 Kensington St. and develop a new three-storey mixed-use building with six residential and two commercial units was approved.

In addition to the plan approvals, a series of recommendations were made to the standing policy committee on public works and community services by area councillors.

A recommendation was made to the standing policy committee on public works to inquire into the logistics of new active transportation infrastructure along the Perimeter Highway bridge that crosses over the Assiniboine River.

“(Right now) it’s an informal gravel path that’s fairly unsafe in nature,” Duncan said. Because the project will connect with the Perimeter Highway, the city will consult with the province before any new path is added. “This is a good start here and it gives the area residents a little bit of information on what’ll be happening.”

A second recommendation was made to public works regarding an inquiry into a new turning signal on Corydon Avenue.

Traffic frequently gets congested in the area. The new signal would impact westbound drivers turning south (left) onto Kenaston Boulevard from Corydon Avenue.

“This has always been on the radar,” Duncan said about the signal.

The final recommendation made by the committee was for a grant agreement with Whyte Ridge Community Centre (170 Fleetwood Rd.) If approved, the community centre will receive $52,000 to resurface the outdoor basketball court.

During the community committee’s last meeting before summer holiday, six public hearings were also held.

The first, an excess animal permit for 10 cats over five years in Richmond West, which was approved by council.

The second hearing was an appeal over a variance that was previously approved by the director of planning, property, and development. The property at 1121 Lee Blvd., is a single-family dwelling that the developer wants to demolish to build two side-by-side duplexes.

There were 10 registered supporters, and 11 in opposition. Council rejected the appeal.

The subsequent hearings were over variances that would amend zoning by-laws of several single family, multi-family, and residential lots.

Two of the approved variances were about the size of side yards on new development proposals, the first on Pathfinder Trail and the other on Sterling Lyon Parkway.

No one registered to speak in opposition, and all variances were approved.