Steinbach rejects rezoning proposal as residents voice concerns

Steinbach City Council unanimously rejected a proposal to rezone 330 McKenzie Ave. from residential low density (RLD) to residential medium density (RMD), which prevented a 20-unit residential building from being built, on Oct. 6.

Councillors said the proposal was not the right fit for the neighbourhood because of its design, the neighbourhood’s single-family character, and the site not being in a transitional zone.

The proposed property is bordered by the Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church on the east and south, and a residence on the west. The city received 62 objections to the proposal. Many residents attended the public hearing, and 12 spoke up against the proposal.

Resident Ariana Neufeld, who is a direct neighbour, said the city should plan for such development in the areas already rezoned as RMD instead of old and well-established neighbourhoods.

“For the sake of the heritage of this neighbourhood and our home and 330, which is not a teardown home, please preserve some pockets of beauty,” she said.

Applicant Owen Reimer said there were already a number of RMDs nearby and his proposal followed all the zoning rules without any variances.

“The plan presented to the city follows all setbacks and allowances for garbage and entrances,” he said. “Required parking for 20 (units) is 33 parking stalls. Our current plan shows 40.”

Coun. Damian Penner rejected the proposal because of the neighbourhood’s single-family character. He said some properties in the area are not built as RMDs despite being zoned as RMDs.

Reimer said an RMD allows a three-storey building, but he proposed a two-storey townhome-style building.

“This style of building would allow affordable senior and family living,” he said.

Coun. Michael Zwaagstra asked if Reimer had spoken with the neighbours about the proposal.

Reimer said he did not speak with all the residents but had spoken with the surrounding properties and nearby residents.

“Some of these houses are across four lanes of highway, and it doesn’t really affect them,” he said.

Coun. Jake Hiebert said unlike some recently approved properties for rezoning, 330 McKenzie was not a transitional zone.

“The buildings in the area are predominantly single-family dwellings except a couple of duplexes and one fourplex,” he said.

Coun. Bill Hiebert believed the proposal would have been easier to approve if it was for a teardown property.

Coun. Jac Siemens said he opposed the proposal because it is a long and narrow building that did not face the street.

“Multi-family housing should be street facing,” he said. “It makes more sense for a developer to come in and amalgamate a number of lots and redesign the orientation of the building.”

Mayor Earl Funk said he has seen other neighbourhoods transition well, and he said McKenzie will transition with time, but it may not be now.

Residents who sat throughout the hearing at city hall applauded council’s decision to deny.

Later in the meeting the city also approved in a 6-1 vote, the rezoning of 288 Henry Street to RMD from RLD for a multi-unit building with a variance allowing the site width of 65 feet which is 10 feet less than the minimum required 75 feet.

“The previous request for rezoning (330 McKenzie), that area would not have been ready to transition but this area is transitioning. That’s why I would support this rezoning,” Funk said.

Coun. Jake Hiebert voted against the motion citing parking concerns.