Winnipeg | Exchange District | Market Lands | U/C

[peg]

Originally Posted by trueviking

sure would.

City Clerk, City of Winnipeg
c/o Standing Policy Committee on Property and
Development, Heritage and Downtown Development

Appeal – Variance – King Street File DAV 118740A/2025B

Email: [email protected]

Just sent an email in support of this fantastic project!

[bon_vivant]

I'm all for preserving historic areas, but Heritage Winnipeg can be a bit too precious sometimes. A little out of touch and opposed to change. Off topic but where was Heritage Winnipeg when the Fort Garry Place monstrosity was built? The Fort Garry Hotel used to be a beautiful part of the skyline looking from the south. It gave our skyline some class.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I’d like to ask Tugwell what other historic buildings it is close to. The closest one is only 12 feet shorter and built 121 years ago.

It is beyond ridiculous.
The end of the story should be it is not in the Historic area, case closed.
I am on side with what you intend to be doing there as are many others.
Also, as you mentioned 12 ft more than a structure from 1904 is not huge deal considering we want our city to grow & we need these units badly.
And again, this is not in The Exchange District.

[trueviking]

^ agreed.

[Kris22]

^Lots of nice textures happening there.

[Unbending]

Pardon my ignorance, but if the site is outside the Exchange District heritage area, why is there any height restrictions at all in the Downtown area? I thought the rest of Downtown was fair game for tall buildings.

[trueviking]

^ for some reason the area to the north of the Exchange District is a 'Character Sector' in the zoning bylaws...same as the Exchange District....why? I have no idea....i guess all the derelict buildings do have character.

the concern is creating a precedent within the heritage district, but that doesn't make sense because it's not in the heritage district.

[trueviking]

[Brick&BRT]

Just sent my letter of support. This is absolutely infuriating. I live in a region of one million people, but my city apparently can't throw a set of rails down any of our massively overbuilt streets, nor can it approve a high-rise building downtown. Despite my Love of Winnipeg, I'm getting pretty regressive vibes in this burg sometimes....

[Flatland Metropolis]

At least we don't live in Halifax where hillfort cannons must have unobstructed line of sights to the ocean.

Hopefully council will approve this project. I understand the character oppositions perspective, but perhaps a middle ground can be found.

[trueviking]

The height variance application was not made to cheat the rules, but to most effectively realize the goals those rules were meant to achieve.

By locating a point tower at the northwest corner, we could distribute the required density of residential units across the site in a way that allows us to reduce the height and scale of the development for 80% of the sidewalk perimeter.

To stay within the height restriction, the 280 units and supporting commercial and social program elements would result in two buildings that maximize the allowable height. These 100-foot-tall buildings would wrap the entire property and create a large wall around the perimeter of the site, producing significant visual and qualitative impacts on its surroundings. Our daylighting and street quality studies showed that a building of this proportion created a looming presence over the sidewalks and adjacent public spaces such as the Chinese Garden, City Hall Plaza, Red River College’s new Elgin Plaza. At important afternoon times during late summer and early autumn, shadows had a detrimental impact on the Chinese Garden specifically. This was mitigated by reducing the adjacent building to six stories and moving those units to the tower.

By increasing the height at the north-west corner, we are able to reduce the second building, which takes up the majority of the site, to a height of between four and six storeys, creating a comfortable pedestrian condition that is compatible with its surroundings. This composition allowed us to carve and contour the lower building into a shape that integrates it into its urban context, maximizes views, increases access to sky, and reduces shadow impacts. It allowed us to create a central green space for tenants that will establish a new model for affordable urban living and provide a safe daycare play space in downtown Winnipeg. The reduced density in the second building also created the opportunity to incorporate a sunbathed public plaza that is an extension of Elgin Plaza.

[Malcsta]

So is there optimism that the appeal will be successful?

Those renderings are even more stunning than I could've pictured, wow

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by Malcsta

So is there optimism that the appeal will be successful?

Those renderings are even more stunning than I could've pictured, wow

They will not deny a variance that would jeopardize a development that’s been awarded HAF.

[trueviking]

I'm hopeful, but you never know.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

As I understand the process, downtown variances are reviewed by City administration and staff are likely a little 🞵🞵🞵 shy to approve a variance that is so much greater than the zoning bylaw they use to guide their decisions. The staff denial and applicant appeal allow the decision to be made by a committee of elected officials.

I agree with Wpg_Guy in that it would be a complete bonehead move by the appeal committee to deny a project that received HAF funds and checks so many other boxes.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I'm hopeful, but you never know.

As of December 5, 2023, the agreement with CMHC under the Housing Accelerator Fund aims to deliver 14,101 new housing units by December 5, 2026. To date, 6,775 units have been approved, representing 48.05% of the target. Recent zoning changes and by-law amendments have been enacted to meet this deadline. Failing to meet the HAF agreement's unit targets would definitely not serve the city's best interests.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by Mr Tall Forehead

As I understand the process, downtown variances are reviewed by City administration and staff are likely a little 🞵🞵🞵 shy to approve a variance that is so much greater than the zoning bylaw they use to guide their decisions. The staff denial and applicant appeal allow the decision to be made by a committee of elected officials.

I agree with Wpg_Guy in that it would be a complete bonehead move by the appeal committee to deny a project that received HAF funds and checks so many other boxes.

You're right, the administration appears hesitant to approve anything that could ‘set a precedent’ and has referred the rule change to Council. The development is backed by HAF, UWRC, and Centreventure, making it highly unlikely for the committee to oppose these strong supporting factors.

[zalf]

Originally Posted by peg

Just sent an email in support of this fantastic project!

I have as well! First time I've written in on a variance or appeal. I did my best to help make the case.

[trueviking]

^ thanks guys!

[TimeFadesAway]

I too submitted my support of the appeal. Thanks for posting the how-to info, it made it easy!