Winnipeg church pushing to build barbed wire fence

A Winnipeg church is appealing a city decision to deny its proposal for a fence with barbed wire to deter trespassing. Jeff Keele explains.

A North End church wants to put up a nine-foot fence with barbed wire for safety reasons, but the City of Winnipeg is saying no.

The church is appealing the decision.

According to a report to the city’s appeal committee, the St. John Cantius Church on Burrows Avenue has experienced issues with trespassing and vandalism.

CTV News has also been told there is a lot of drug use on the property, a garbage bin was lit on fire and someone even climbed on top of the church roof.

The church requested a variance to put up a nine-foot chain-link fence on all sides with barbed wire on top. A design rendering shows a chain-link fence with three strands of barbed wire at the top of the fence. The report says the church provided numerous signatures of support from neighbours on the block.

But the city’s planning department rejected the request, saying fence heights are limited in residential areas to keep sightlines and promote a sense of community.

“The fence height is incompatible with other residential properties on the block. Aesthetically, a fence of this height with barbed wire gives the property a “fortress-like” appearance,” the report said.

The report notes the church was given other fencing options.

In a letter to the appeals committee, Pastor Yolando Gamallo says they were told ornamental fencing could be used but says they can’t afford that option.

He asks what the minimum modification the city will allow to protect their elderly and vulnerable parishioners, as well as 222 catechism students, “…from intoxication, knife-brandishing, arson-threatening trespassers, vandals, thieves and campers.”

The pastor asked for kind consideration during the appeal hearing, adding they’ve made several reports to police.

The hearing is set for Nov. 28.