Steinbach city council voted 5-1 Tuesday to relax its development specifications for a commercial development along the west side of Highway #12, just north of Big Freight. The decision allows Steinbach Land Holdings to use ditches for drainage instead of the standard requirement for curbs, gutters and an underground storm sewer system. Spokesperson Bob Schinkel says this will save money and make the lots more affordable.

Councillor Jac Semens moved approval saying the city needs the development of this type which has been slow in recent years. He does not believe this will set a dangerous precedent for other commercial developments.

"I think every decision the city makes is one where there's precedent. That doesn't mean that we follow that precedent. We still follow our specifications unless there's good reason to do otherwise and I think in this case there is. Each of them is looked at individually and we will continue to do that."

Deputy Mayor John Fehr agrees it should not set a precedent.

"I know that's the first thing that comes to everybody's mind. But I think it was made very, very clear here today that this was a one off. We're not approving everything in the future. Does it set a precedent? Maybe in some eyes it does. I think we wanted to stimulate some growth here and I think we made a decision and hopefully we'll look back at this ten years from now and we'll say if was a good move for us to do that."

Councillor Michael Zwaagstra had the lone dissenting vote and is highly concerned about the precedent his colleagues have set.

"I have significant concerns about the precedent this sets because what this does is it states that essentially, for any future C3 Highway Corridor Commercial zoning, that now there's a different city standard, that basically you can have open ditches instead of curb and gutter. What's important to remember is that this changes the city's specifications manual and this means that any future developer who wishes to develop in this type of zoning, could potentially ask for the same treatment. As a city, it's important that we treat all developers the same, that we have a consistent rule for everyone, so I have significant concerns about the precedent this decision made."

Mayor Chris Goertzen excused himself from the meeting for this discussion due to a potential conflict of interest since he co-owns a building with one of the investors in Steinbach Land Holdings.