‘There is still long way to go’: Opposition to East St Paul development triggers submission to the Municipal Board

Council has voted in favour of a housing development in East St. Paul, despite opposition.

East St. Paul council has approved a subdivision and zoning bylaw in a residential development despite opposition from community members, but residents said the process is not complete.

“There is still a long way to go,” said Robyn Chubey. “Residents are now in the process of confirming their opposition via letters to the Municipal Board.”

“Everyone has to re-submit their opposition,” she said. “It says no, we have heard what the council had to say, and we are re-confirming our opposition.”

In a statement, the community’s CAO Suzanne Ward confirmed that council approved the subdivision for the land, and the zoning bylaw.

She noted the zoning bylaw, which is appealable, was also approved and given a second reading.

“With respect to the application itself, the applicant met the requirements of the RM’s bylaws in terms of zoning,” Ward said.

“The proposal consists of zones that already exist within the municipality. In situations like this, Council is obligated to consider applications within the framework of its own bylaws, and denying an application that aligns with those requirements can present challenges at the Municipal Board level.”

The plan involves building hundreds of homes on farmland, located on Mowat Road. This includes 482 lots for single-family homes, two-family homes and condominiums, as well as park and recreation spaces.

CTV News previously spoke to East St. Paul residents who expressed worry that their country lifestyle would be upended by the development. They also raised concerns about traffic and water services.

More than 1,000 letters against the development have been submitted to the RM and Red River Planning District.

Ward explained the minimum threshold to trigger a municipal board hearing is 300 letters of opposition.

The Red River Planning District will oversee the municipal board process.

With files from CTV’s Jeff Keele