It took some persistence but a Winnipeg businessman has finally been given permission to develop land east of Grande Pointe.

Chris Ewen is Mayor for the Rural Municipality of Ritchot. He says Andy Feng of Unicanadian International has met with council at least three times hoping to build a large recreation complex south of Lavallee Road and east of Belot Road. And each time, council has said no.

(Site of Bed and Breakfast)Feng was most recently denied March 21st. Ewen says concerns they heard from ratepayers was that the land is subject to flooding and that a recreation complex would increase traffic in the area. Following the March 21st public hearing, Ewen suggested he wouldn't be surprised if Feng approached council again, but with an entirely different proposal.

Well, less than one month after his most recent rejection, Feng was back, and this time his proposal was approved.

Ewen says Feng has been given permission to construct a Bed and Breakfast. At the public hearing, neighbours brought up the flood concern. They say the land in question is very low and when the river swells the water sits on that property. If Feng were to build up that property, neighbours feel it will force flood waters onto their property instead. But Ewen says with the help of elevation data by Seine Rat River Conservation District, Feng has agreed to build the facility at the highest point possible.

"He was very accepting of the concerns and willing to move it to the highest spot on the land," notes Ewen. "I appreciate the engagement he had and the willingness to make it the best fit for the area."

According to Ritchot bylaws, a home occupation such as a Bed and Breakfast cannot occupy more than 20 per cent of the overall square footage. That means if Feng would choose to build a 2,000 square foot home, only 400 square feet can be used for the Bed and Breakfast. Feng had asked council to increase that to 65 per cent but Ewen says council won't budge.

Though Feng has not provided a timeline for the build, Ewen anticipates construction could start as soon as possible because of how long he has attempted to construct something on that site.

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