Councilman raises concerns about changes allowing taller residential structures near transit corridors – Winnipeg Free Press

A city councilman is pressing staff to pinpoint where four-unit buildings could go up near transit routes amid concerns that public consultation could be ineffective on a major zoning change.

Last year, the Council advanced a new rule that would allow buildings up to four stories tall (up to 48 feet) to be built within 800 meters of frequent transit corridors, eliminating the need for public hearings and city committee approval to complete such projects once bylaw changes are approved. .

Graph. Brian Mayes is calling on the city to publicly release a map showing the exact areas where such structures will be allowed.

Graph. Brian Mays is calling on the city to publicly release a map showing the exact areas where four-unit buildings will be allowed in relation to transit routes.

“This will potentially affect a lot of people. I think we need to know what that’s going to look like before we have a public hearing,” Mayes (St. Vital) said.

As city officials plan to complete the changes early next year, Mace said he’s concerned residents don’t have enough information to properly assess the situation.

“This will be a significant increase in height on some residential streets, up to 70 percent. People need to know about this,” he said.

The new rules will increase building height limits in some areas from 28 feet to 48 feet, Mayes said, with no way for residents to appeal the increase after the ordinance finalizes the changes.

He said the November 2023 update noted the map was a “work in progress” based on each location’s distance from key bus stops.

The new four-unit rule is one of three major zoning changes the City Council voted on as part of an agreement to claim federal housing funds. Ultimately, the Government of Canada committed to providing Winnipeg with $122 million from its Housing Acceleration Fund.

“The future of urban cover and overdevelopment of river corridors and natural areas is a major concern based on what we have seen so far in the Housing Acceleration Fund.”– Pam Lysenkiw, member of Outdoor Urban Recreational Spaces-Winnipeg.

Other changes would allow up to four housing units to be built on one site throughout the city, and would also allow mid-rise housing to be built in shopping centers and commercial corridors without requiring public hearings or city committee approval. A public consultation on changes to the shopping center and corridors recently concluded.

In an email, a member of Outdoor Urban Recreational Spaces-Winnipeg said the organization hopes the city will allow enough time for consultation on changes to the four-unit building.

“The future of urban land cover and overdevelopment of river corridors and natural areas are a major concern based on what we have seen so far in the Housing Acceleration Fund,” Pam Lusenkiw wrote.

Mayor Scott Gillingham’s office declined an interview request on his behalf. In an email, spokesman Colin Fast said the public will have a chance to weigh in on the changes.

“The ministry is working on a comprehensive zoning proposal that will be put forward in early 2025. It will go through public consultations, public hearings and public voting within a few weeks,” Fast wrote.

A detailed plan for the fourplexes is due to be released in January and finalized after an open house, with a public hearing on the change ordinance expected in March 2025.

In an email, city spokesman David Driedger said the changes should help speed up development and increase the amount of affordable housing in Winnipeg.

Graph. Jeff Brovati says changes are needed to “dramatically increase” the amount of infill housing in Winnipeg.

“The proposed zoning changes are critical to accommodating the city’s growing population and promoting transit-oriented development. The proposed changes will include certain standards and conditions regarding landscaping, building form, lot size and location to promote good design and fit well into the existing context,” Driedger wrote.

Graph. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) said housing changes are needed to ensure Winnipeggers can get housing where they want it, such as allowing residents over 55 to downsize from their current settlements.

“We need different types of housing for all of Winnipeg’s needs. Multifamily buildings provide an opportunity (for that),” Duncan said.

Graph. Jeff Brovati stressed changes are needed to “dramatically increase” the number of infill housing units in Winnipeg.

“We really need to be much more aggressive than we have been in the past to get the housing we need because of our growing population,” said Brovati, the council’s finance chairman.

However, the North Kildonan councilman said he would like to see the city add some restrictions on where developers can put four homes, as well as up to four units on one lot, suggesting that areas that offer exclusively homes on single family may not be suitable for them.

Mays plans to hold town hall meetings about changes to the four-unit buildings, the first of which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at 176 Worthington Ave.

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