New development planned

The RM of Hanover council gave second reading to rezoning three lots to multi-family housing in a New Bothwell subdivision that would see the lots turned into townhouses.

During the Feb. 26 regular meeting, Council gave second reading to rezone three of the proposed six lots as multi-family units. Originally, the developer, Newall Holdings, wanted to rezone six lots as Residential – Multi-Unit 1 from Residential – Single Unit zone.

“Times are changing. When this development was first proposed the demand in the market was for single unit residential development. Times are changing. We’re seeing housing costs going up. We’re seeing an aging population. We’re seeing a shift in the market and a shift in residents’ needs,” said Allison Driedger, who spoke on behalf of Newall.

“We have an aging population who are looking at remaining in their community. They want smaller houses. They want a townhouse style single level. They want their children to stay in the community. This is where the shift is moving towards.”

Driedger said with inflation and rising interest rates people can’t afford single family homes.

“There isn’t much residential rental in New Bothwell or an ability for people to stay in an aging community,” she said.

There were objections from some area residents that the housing would lead to garbage on the front lawns, bring property values down, bring in lower income residents to the area, and that when the residents purchased their homes they were told the area would remain a single family home neighbourhood.

The LUD recommended that out of the six proposed lots that three on the east side remain single family and that the west side lots be rezoned to multi-family lots.

Couns. Ed Penner and Roberto Heibert agreed with the LUD with Hiebert making the motion to only rezone the three westside lots to multi-family.

Couns. Travis Doerksen and Darrin Warkentin excused themselves from sitting in on the matter as there was a conflict of interest.

Rezoning in Mitchell

Council gave second reading to approve a subdivision and rezoning of 85 lots of land from Agriculture Limited to Residential for Highland Park Development in the Town of Mitchell.

The 85 lots are located along the east side of Center Street North across from the Stahn Field Park. There will be a mix of densities proposed in the area including single, two and multi-unit housing.

The intent of this site is to create affordable housing using the one percent down model that was successfully implemented in Lexington Village in Steinbach.

“I support this development plan. The fact that it’s a little bit different than what we see…we are giving an opportunity for lower income, an opportunity for our youth to maybe jump into a starter home. I think that’s great and to see the success in Steinbach that is happening I hope to see the same success in Mitchell as well,” said Coun. Roberto Hiebert.

A buzz in Kleefeld

Council approved a honey operation in Kleefeld near Roseville Dr. on Road 28E.

The applicant, Petro Sokolovych, will have 100 hives on his five-acre property in the fall and winter. In the spring and summer the hives will be distributed throughout farmers’ fields. When the bees are hibernating, they will be placed in an enclosure over the winter.

Sokolovych also plans on expanding his business with the creation and sale of new hives.

There was one person opposed to the application, resident Dwayne Martens who lives next to the property. He was worried that the bees would be attracted to his yard and could sting children at play. He said there are 100 residences around the proposed bee operation and that there were two other bee operations just north of Sokolovych’s property.

“I’m scared that that many bees in this area just might overload it. It would be a good idea to limit the number of hives (that are allowed) outside this property at one time.”

“This doesn’t affect their ability to winter (the smaller number of) hives inside, as most beekeepers do, and it would not overload the area with bees and will not have a major effect on the development across the road,” said Martens, who wanted council to limit the amount of hives to 10.

“We have lots of honey farmers in the area – some big, some small. I can’t remember the last time we had a complaint about honey farmers. Honeybees tend to not be the same problem as wasps,” said planner Jeremy Neufeld.

Council gives second reading again

Council gave second reading again to subdividing and rezoning a parcel of land west of Highway 12 and south of PR 311 in what is a transitional zone between the RM and the City of Steinbach.

Council had previously approved second reading in January but had to redo it in February as The Carillon forgot to post the ad for a public hearing.

The matter will go to the municipal board for approval, as there was an objection from the city, before returning to council chambers.

AMM and newspapers

Council approved sending a letter to the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to lobby the government to remove the requirement to advertise public hearings in commnity newspapers.

The RM claims advertising on social media and on its website are enough to inform residents.