Committee sets date for Public Hearing on Zoning By-law Review

MEDIA RELEASE:

WINNIPEG June 26, 2006 - The City of Winnipeg’s Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development today set a date for a Public Hearing to review the proposed new Winnipeg Zoning By-law. The Public Hearing will take place Tuesday, July 18, 2006 beginning at 9:00 am in the Council Chamber at City Hall.

The Public Hearing will provide an opportunity for citizens to make submissions and present their views on the content of the proposed new Zoning By-law which would replace the existing Winnipeg Zoning By-law 6400/94. The new By-law covers all areas of the City, with exception of the downtown, which is governed by the Downtown Winnipeg Zoning By-law which came into effect in 2004.

“This By-law review has been a monumental task which the City has advanced in record time,” said Councillor Peter De Smedt, Chair of the City’s Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development. “Up-to-date zoning regulations will not only impact the look of our city through enhanced development standards, but will also make it easier for developers and citizens to conduct business with the City.”

The City’s goals for the revision of the Zoning By-law included strengthening the relationship to Plan Winnipeg, improving customer service and stream lining the approval process, as well as responding to recommendations of the Mayor’s Red Tape Commission to modernize and simplify the existing By-law.

Since the announcement of the zoning by-law review last June, the city has:

• Formed a Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC) made up of local stakeholders who have an interest in zoning standards.
• Hired a consultant, Clarion and Associates to work with local consultants ND LEA, McCandless &Associates, and Cushman Wakefield LePage to prepare the draft Zoning By-law and maps.
• Held the first public consultation meeting in August 2005 to present the initial Approach Report which outlined the proposed direction for the new By-law.
• Held a second public consultation session in January 2006 to provide an overview of the project to date and to present the draft text of the By-law.
• Held five public consultation meetings in late February and early March 2006 in all sections of the city to display draft zoning maps.
• Had meetings with over 25 community and stakeholder organizations to discuss the proposed changes to the By-law.

This Public Hearing will be the final opportunity for individuals or groups to make representations on the draft Winnipeg Zoning By-law and zoning maps before the proposal moves on to Council for approval in the fall.

A copy of the proposed Winnipeg Zoning By-law and maps may be viewed at the Land Information Branch, Mezzanine Level, 30 Fort Street between 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday or on the City of Winnipeg Web site http://winnipeg.ca/ppd/zoning_6400review.stm. Citizens can also click on the link eCIS to look up their own zoning on the Web site.

Anyone who would like to speak at the public hearing should contact Ms.C. Freeman at 311. Presentations will be required by July 14 for the Committee members to review.