Council issues fine as variance approved

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This article was published 16/05/2017 (2529 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An Elmdale Street homeowner was granted a variance requested in preparation to sell her home, but not before Steinbach city council tacked on a $430 fine.

Property owner Bertha Funk of 442 Elmdale Street filed a variance application through a lawyer because an existing carport, shed, and deck failed to meet minimum setback requirements.

City administration reported the placements had not caused any adverse effects on neighbouring properties but added that limitations imposed on a 2005 variance request for the same property had not been followed.

Noting no written objections were filed against the new application, city manager Troy Warkentin recommended approving it along with a fine roughly equal to amount of the application fee.

The motion passed 5-1, with Councillor John Fehr voicing his preference for a steeper fine.

“We’re sending a bad message that you can do what you want,” he told his colleagues. “I don’t think $430 is enough.”