Henderson condo turned down three years after approved

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This article was published 20/02/2018 (2255 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An application for a condominium in East Kildonan was rejected Wednesday by the same community committee that approved it in 2015.

The application was given the green light by the East Kildonan-Transcona community committee in 2015, paving way for two homes to be demolished on the 400 block of Henderson Highway and a two-storey condo complex to be built in their place.

However, that approval lapsed after the project didn’t break ground on time, forcing the developer to seek re-approval for the variance.

That sent the matter, which had the support of the city’s urban planning division, back to the committee.

The committee agreed the proposal had been “fine-tuned” and “improved” since 2015. Nonetheless, it was rejected in a tie vote.

Only two city councillors were present for the vote this time around: Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) and Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan).

Both councillors voted the same way they did in 2015. Citing concerns raised by area residents, Schreyer opposed the motion. Browaty voted in favour of the application.

A tie vote results in the motion being rejected.

Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) voted in favour of the motion in 2015, but he wasn’t present Wednesday.

Wyatt has been on a 30-day leave of absence since Jan. 25, for what officials described as a family matter. He is expected to return to city hall next week.

Two area residents appeared at the committee to voice their opposition to the project. They said they are concerned about crime associated with the neighbouring complex owned by developer Karl Devlin of Exquisite Homes.

The residents claim Devlin’s complex was advertised as condos, but functions as low-income housing that’s been rented out to problematic tenants.

They said many in the neighbourhood fear the same will happen with the new project.

Devlin said he was disappointed with the committee’s decision, and he plans to appeal the outcome.

He also said he’s considering changing property management companies after hearing neighbours’ concerns about his existing complex.

“It was a tie, which is rare. It was surprising and it was disappointing. It’s a good development and will help clean up the neighbourhood,” Devlin said.

“We’ve heard from neighbouring property owners about some concerns with the condition of the properties and the clientele that have been there. I thought it had been dealt with. We’ll be dealing with it for sure.”

Devlin’s appeal could go before officials as early as April.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @rk_thorpe