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This article was published 18/11/2019 (312 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Changes are coming to a new Winnipeg bylaw that prohibits demolition of any buildings within a neighbourhood proposed to be recognized as a heritage district.

Officials propose to give the city department head the ability to allow demolitions — as long as the building doesn’t meet the neighbour’s perceived heritage value, poses a safety risk or causes "undue prejudice" to the demolition permit applicant.

The changes were endorsed by the planning and development committee Monday, despite concerns it could compromise the City of Winnipeg’s position in a court challenge.

Coun. Brian Mayes, chairman of the committee, wanted the bylaw changes put on hold until after the court challenge involving 514 Wellington Cres. The owner of that property had a demolition permit suspended in a late-night phone call, following what appeared to be a last-minute decision by the department director to designate the entire Crescentwood neighbourhood as a heritage district.

The bylaw presently freezes any demolition once a neighbourhood has been proposed for heritage designation.

"We don’t know what the court is going to say," Mayes, a former lawyer, told the committee. "We’re dancing around this stuff because we know there’s ongoing litigation. Once we have the court decision, we make better decisions."

Mayes’ proposal was rejected in a 2-1 vote, by Couns. Janice Lukes and Matt Allard, who supported the amendments to the bylaw.

The Wellington Crescent property owner alleges pressure from community elements opposed to the demolition prompted the department head to hastily impose the heritage designation on the neighbourhood. A court date for the legal challenge has not yet been set.

The proposed bylaw changes will be considered by the executive policy committee before going to council for final approval.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca