Steinbach City Council received an application to rezone 600 Main Street in Steinbach from RLD (Residential Low Density) to RMD (Residential Medium Density) to allow for the development of a six-unit multi-family residential structure on the property.

Along with this application was the request for a variance to allow an overall site width of 70 feet, whereas the RMD Zone requires a minimum of 75 feet. 

Applicant Helmut Buchholz says he was originally thinking of building a duplex there, and explains why he changed his mind. 

“Probably in a few years the side-by-side would look odd, because in a few years most likely it will be surrounded by multi-family units since Steinbach is growing so rapidly.” 

Buchholz says that although he is requesting a variance to due the lot being too narrow for RMD, there will be ample space for the building.

“As for the property width, our building is very compact and is barely bigger than a side-by-side, allowing a side property of eight feet on each side, most houses have just 4 feet.” 

He confirms that he has ample room for drainage, and the sixplex will be twice as far away from the neighbouring house than required. 

Phil Caleta, a resident on Mackenzie Avenue, raises a concern. He says that with the back lane being undeveloped, it’s been heavily traveled. 

“A lot of these multi-family units, while they have some parking in the front, the back ends up being secondary parking, or just driving on the grass or into the backyard."

Caleta asks that if the rezoning is approved, he would like the City to require the developer to install a fence to prevent the back lane from being used for parking or secondary access.

Buchholz said he has no issues with installing a fence to prevent back-lane parking. 

Councillor Susan Penner mentions there are alternative ways the developer can go about this. 

“I don’t think it’s necessary to add the fence if traffic is an issue from the back lane. There could be bollards, shrubs, there could be different ways to address that instead of requiring a fence," 
she says. “I prefer to make things less difficult for properties to get developed, so I don’t want to include that as a requirement.” 

Mayor Earl Funk thanks the developer for his willingness to resolve the issue, and says the fence will not be a requirement. He trusts that the neighbourhood and the developer can figure out the best way to go about this. 

Penner says a sixplex is a good plan for both the area and the property. 

“There are numerous higher-density buildings in that area. I think this is a really good fit, it’s kind of a buffer to the residential behind it.” 

She says it makes sense to maximize the space and approve these additional units.

Councillor Bill Hiebert agrees it will fit in nicely with the area. 

“There is also a large lot across the road from there it’s going to probably get a multi-family complex as well, which will add another one.” 

Steinbach gave second and third reading to each application, approving both the rezoning and the variance. 

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