WINNIPEG, MB. - Councillor Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) introduced a policy alternative designed to address an issue that residents have spoken to Klein about for many months.
Residents are experiencing new home construction in mature neighbourhoods. Most residents appreciate that change is inevitable, but what they oppose is the final result, which can be different than what was approved.
When building a home, a plan approval is typically specified as part of the conditions of a development application (e.g., Zoning Agreement, Variance, Conditional Use) or as dictated by the Zoning By-law (e.g., Planned Development Overlay). All must be approved before the issuance of any building or development permits by the City.
The plan approvals are an essential component of the process associated with new construction, representing the specific site and building features identified as approval conditions.
Klein said, " the city has experienced an increase in residential complaints regarding new builds not complying with plan approval conditions upon completion." We must make fundamental changes to address this growing concern.
Councillor Klein's suggested a new policy that would implement a penalty program for non-compliance with approved plans for construction with minimum fines of $10,000 or 10% of the developed subject property's assessed value, whichever is greater.
The motion passed unanimously at the Council Committee. The Public Service will now work on developing the necessary legal requirements.
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