Steinbach City Council has taken the first step toward allowing a new six-unit residential building on Henry Street.
Public hearing to follow for corner lot multi-family development
Steinbach City Council has approved first reading of By-Law 2262, a proposed zoning change that would allow for a new six-unit residential building at 286 Henry Street.
The property, located at the corner of Henry Street and Loewen Boulevard, is currently zoned “RLD” Residential Low Density. The applicant, Jordan Loewen, is requesting the site be rezoned to “RMD” Residential Medium Density to allow for the two-storey multi-family building.
The proposed development would include one building with six residential units and 10 parking stalls. While the design meets many of the requirements for the RMD zone, two variances will be needed: one for the overall site width, which is 65 feet (below the required 75 feet), and one to reduce the corner side yard setback from eight feet to four feet.
Location seen as suitable despite smaller lot size
According to the City Planner’s report, the corner lot has several characteristics that may support the rezoning despite its smaller size. Being located along Loewen Boulevard, classified as an arterial road, and Henry Street, a collector, the location is expected to handle relatively higher traffic volumes. The report also notes that multiple properties along Henry Street are already zoned RMD, and the Bethesda Regional Health Centre is located just three lots south.
The building’s main access is planned from Loewen Boulevard, while the front entrance will face Henry Street to match existing homes on that street. Landscaping, parking, and garbage disposal plans will be reviewed during the building permit stage to ensure the development complies with city regulations, including Steinbach’s multi-family residential infill policy.
City staff recommended that council approve first reading of the bylaw to allow the application to proceed to a public hearing.
Mayor says decision guided by long-term city plan
Mayor Earl Funk says the proposal is part of a larger conversation about how Steinbach is evolving.
“The way Steinbach grows will be dictated by the OCP (Official Community Plan). There's two ways for our city to grow. You grow up or you grow out. And in this case, this could be a very good fit.”
Funk notes the neighbourhood already contains several multi-family units and emphasizes the importance of hearing from nearby residents before a final decision is made.
“Our city is changing, especially the older parts of our town... Having the best bang for the buck in our downtown area by having the best density we can have,” he says.
“This is a great time too because the public hearing will initiate a chance for the developers to come forward and show their project off.”
City staff noted that although the lot is smaller than others recently approved for similar rezoning, its location at the corner of two higher-traffic roads makes it “not a bad fit for the neighbourhood.”