| Mr. Muir addressed the question raised by Mr. Watson. He stated that the developer wants the 13.5 acres in question rezoned to multi-family residential and that this would be the last stage of the proposed development. Councillor Angus asked the Senior Planner what his recommendation was with respect to said 13.5 acres. The Senior Planner replied that, given the choice, his department would be supportive of rezoning the land in question to a parks and recreation district. Councillor Angus asked the applicant if it was their intention to rezone this piece of land to avoid going through the public hearing process again to which Mr. Borger replied in the affirmative. Mr. Borger indicated that he would be willing to address this, and other issues, as part of the development agreement. Councillor Vandal asked if the applicant was willing to grant SOS an extension of time to raise the funds necessary to purchase the Bois des Esprits land. Mr. Muir replied that the applicant is willing to extend said deadline, pending several conditions. Councillor Angus asked the developer should SOS not raise the funds required to purchase the 13.5 acres, if the developer wanted the zoning to revert from a parks and recreation district to a multi-family district to which Mr. Borger replied that these details could be handled administratively. Councillor Vandal asked where the development would begin. Mr. Borger replied that they would begin to build in the south and move north as services are installed. Mr. Borger indicated that bridge construction and retention ponds could only begin in winter and this would be the largest factor determining when the project would begin. Councillor Angus indicated that he was going to move a motion recommending that this application be approved. He stated that the City of Winnipeg had made monetary commitments to preserve Bois des Esprits and that the proposed bridge at Southglen Boulevard disturbed a minimum amount of the forest located there. He further stated that the developer has made many concessions, including altering the construction of the proposed Southglen bridge to allow for passage underneath it. Councillor Angus iterated that he was disappointed that a more amicable solution had not been arrived at and that he sympathised with both the developer and SOS. Councillor Steeves stated that Bois des Esprits is a project that has captured his heart and that SOS has always conducted themselves with class. He indicated that it was his belief that the people of St. Vital want to preserve the forest and that SOS� plans for said forest have never been meant to be invasive. He stated that with Ladco Development Company�s application, the vast majority of the forest will be preserved and that the Developer will pay for the bridge. He indicated that he would be supportive of Councillor Angus� motion and that he would be moving subsequent motions dealing with the proposed connection at St. Anne�s Road and eventual twinning of St. Anne�s Road. Councillor Vandal stated that that the City of Winnipeg has committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase land along the Seine River. He further iterated that the City of Winnipeg hired an independent consultant to review traffic implications and that, years ago, the City had directed the developer to purchase the land required for the proposed Southglen Bridge. Councillor Vandal stated that it was his belief that the proposed crossing at Southglen would not ruin efforts to preserve Bois des Esprits and that he would be supporting Councillor Angus� motion. for full text http://www.geocities.com/saveourseine/CityJan6MeetingandDec17Minutes.html |