‘The Board has no authority’: Report suggests city can move forward with Granite Curling Club plan

Winnipeg’s mayor says it doesn’t need the consent of a curling club before proceeding with a downtown project. CTV’s Taylor Brock explains.

A new report at City Hall says Winnipeg can approve housing development plans for a parking lot next to the Granite Curling Club despite a provincial board’s recommendation.

Last month, the municipal board granted the Granite Curling Club veto power over development plans for the parking lot.

The club, which leases the property from the city, initially raised concerns about the housing project because it would wipe out 45 parking spots. The Granite previously said the loss of parking would result in lost revenue and the potential closure of the club.

The municipal board determined the city must first develop an adequate parking plan to support the club’s operations before going ahead with plans for an 11-storey apartment building.

However, the report to the Executive Policy Committee suggests council can disregard the municipal board’s decision and legally rezone the lot.

“The Board has no authority to impose a condition on a development permit,” the report, prepared by city planning officials, stated. “The Board can only make recommendations in respect of the proposed zoning by-law.”

Christian Pierce, Granite’s board secretary, called the city’s latest move “pretty baffling.”

“Although the city was unhappy with the decision, it doesn’t give the city the right to ignore the provisions of the city charter and the municipal board’s recommendation,” Pierce told CTV News.

He said the Granite is exploring all available options – including a potential legal battle – but hopes the two sides can reach a deal.

“The municipal board recommendation, all it added, was a condition that the city actually had to work with the Granite,” Pierce said. “So, we were hoping the city would do that, but now they’re taking this bizarre position that they can just ignore the municipal board.”

On Wednesday, Mayor Scott Gillingham issued a news release proposing a ‘win-win’ plan for the site which includes negotiating a new long-term lease with the curling club.

A motion before the Executive Policy Committee said the lease agreement would include new parking stalls.

“We want the Granite Curling Club to continue to be the tenant there, and in that lease, to work out a parking plan that would work for everybody,” Gillingham told reporters Wednesday afternoon.

Gillingham said the city isn’t ignoring the municipal board’s decision.

“The legal team has done their analysis on the municipal board and this ruling that they made, and has made the determination that the municipal board went beyond its scope,” he said. “And so, what we have before us today, is a decision that we have to make.”

The city’s proposal to negotiate a new lease and proceed with the housing development would require approval from City Council before proceeding.

The report and motion will be discussed at the Executive Police Committee meeting on Dec. 9.