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This article was published 9/1/2020 (252 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A proposed multi-family development on Peguis Street continues to stir up controversy.

On Jan. 6, members of the standing policy committee on property and development, heritage, and downtown development voted to disregard the East Kildonan-Transcona community committee’s directive to reject the recommendation of the public service to make amendments to a zoning agreement for a property on Peguis Street just south of Almey Avenue.

"I’m gobsmacked," Coun. Shawn Nason (Transcona) said of the decision. "I’m very disappointed."

On Nov. 12, 2019, the East Kildonan-Transcona community committee rejected the bid from Zekar Holdings, the owner and would-be developer of the property, to increase the maximum height to 40 feet and a maximum of 24 units. The original agreement, which was approved by the community committee June 20, 2018, and by city concil in July 2018, included a maximum height of 36 feet and a maximum of 20 units.

"This doesn’t feel compatible to the area," Nason said on Nov. 12.

However, according to city planners, the request was consistent with the Transcona West Area Structure Plan, which was approved in 2008.

The Jan. 6 reversal by the property and development committee — which includes Couns. Brian Mayes (St. Vital), Matt Allard (St. Boniface), Janice Lukes (Waverley West) and Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) — approved Zekar’s request for a 24-unit allowance and a maximum height of 40 feet, as well as a number of details including a reduction in side yard setbacks and on site parking. Mayes was the only member of the committee who did not vote to overturn the decision.

A number of Almey Avenue residents, however, have opposed the scale of the project since it was first proposed in 2018. At the Nov. 12 meeting, many spoke against the amendments, admitting they were disappointed with the size and scale that was approved on June 19, 2018, but had come to accept the agreement as it stood.

"We’re just gutted," said Judy Burym, who lives next to the property on Almey Avenue, following the standing policy committee’s decision.

"We realize this property will not stay vacant but there has to be a better solution," Burym added. "We feel that we are not being heard and that there is no compromise with the City. We have to live here. This neighborhood has had a lot of development to the east and north in a short period of time with impact on all of us."

The recommendation of the standing policy committee on property and development, heritage, and downtown development must still be approved by the executive policy committee (of which Allard, Mayes, and Rollins are all members). Final approval by city council is then required before the project can get shovels in the ground.

A proposed multi-family development on Peguis Street continues to stir up controversy.

On Jan. 6, members of the standing policy committee on property and development, heritage, and downtown development voted to disregard the East Kildonan-Transcona community committee’s directive to reject the recommendation of the public service to make amendments to a zoning agreement for a property on Peguis Street just south of Almey Avenue.

"I’m gobsmacked," Coun. Shawn Nason (Transcona) said of the decision. "I’m very disappointed."

On Nov. 12, 2019, the East Kildonan-Transcona community committee rejected the bid from Zekar Holdings, the owner and would-be developer of the property, to increase the maximum height to 40 feet and a maximum of 24 units. The original agreement, which was approved by the community committee June 20, 2018, and by city concil in July 2018, included a maximum height of 36 feet and a maximum of 20 units.

"This doesn’t feel compatible to the area," Nason said on Nov. 12.

However, according to city planners, the request was consistent with the Transcona West Area Structure Plan, which was approved in 2008.

The Jan. 6 reversal by the property and development committee — which includes Couns. Brian Mayes (St. Vital), Matt Allard (St. Boniface), Janice Lukes (Waverley West) and Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) — approved Zekar’s request for a 24-unit allowance and a maximum height of 40 feet, as well as a number of details including a reduction in side yard setbacks and on site parking. Mayes was the only member of the committee who did not vote to overturn the decision.

A number of Almey Avenue residents, however, have opposed the scale of the project since it was first proposed in 2018. At the Nov. 12 meeting, many spoke against the amendments, admitting they were disappointed with the size and scale that was approved on June 19, 2018, but had come to accept the agreement as it stood.

"We’re just gutted," said Judy Burym, who lives next to the property on Almey Avenue, following the standing policy committee’s decision on Jan. 6.

"We realize this property will not stay vacant but there has to be a better solution," Burym added. "We feel that we are not being heard and that there is no compromise with the City. We have to live here. This neighborhood has had a lot of development to the east and north in a short period of time with impact on all of us."

The recommendation of the standing policy committee on property and development, heritage, and downtown development must still be approved by the executive policy committee (of which Allard, Mayes, and Rollins are all members). Final approval by city council is then required before the project can get shovels in the ground.