Annexation deal gets public scrutiny

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This article was published 26/08/2015 (3607 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Local residents quizzed Steinbach city staff and consultants about the plan to annex 7,300 acres of land from the RM of Hanover. The annexation agreement between the two municipalities was struck in June after a year of negotiations.

A growth study commissioned by the city in 2012 estimates the population of Steinbach could swell to 100,000 in fifty years time. The annexation agreement will help the city provide land necessary for the 33,500 new dwelling units needed.

Much of the land use challenges will emerge in the second half of that 50 year period.

City manager Troy Warkentin said the open house exercise on Tuesday night was an opportunity to reiterate the goals of annexation and provide the public with more details on the city study. Close to 70 people attended the event.

The city aims to have its annexation application submitted to the Manitoba Municipal Board by the end of the year and Warkentin said he expects the board will offer its own opportunity for public input as well.

Warkentin notes that a 74 acre annexation agreement in 2012 between Hanover and Steinbach did not prompt municipal board hearing but he expects with a annexation of this size the board will schedule time for public to be heard on the matter once the application is received.