A City of Winnipeg committee has approved an appeal to allow a development going up in the Exchange District to exceed the allowed height limit. On Monday, the property and development committee voted in favour of an appeal for a height variance on the Market Lands project, located at the former site of the public safety building. The development includes two buildings—a mid-rise building and a 16-storey tower that would exceed the height limit by 68 feet. The city’s director of planning, property and development previously denied this variance, with the public service saying in a report the decision should be upheld because it is “too substantial to be considered as a minimum modification of the Downtown Winnipeg Zoning By-Law and will create a precedent for future applications.” The developer argued that rejecting the height variance would impact the viability of the project and limit the number of affordable units they’d be able to provide. On Monday, the committee voted in support of a motion that said the variance is consistent with the city’s strategic plan and doesn’t create substantial adverse effects to the amenities, use, safety and convenience of the conjoining property and adjacent area. Other variances for the development, including loading and parking stall requirements, were previously approved. Market Lands will include mixed-income housing, a creative hub and public spaces.
