Public hearing for city plan at council

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This article was published 19/08/2024 (432 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon residents will have their final chance to speak their minds on the new proposed city plan in a public hearing being held as part of tonight’s Brandon City Council meeting.

With the dissolution of the Brandon & Area Planning District in 2020, the city is obligated under the provincial Planning Act to introduce a new development plan.

The planning district included nearby municipalities Cornwallis and Elton and its development plan had elements specific to those communities. The new plan will be Brandon-specific.

City staff have been working on this new plan — which is supposed to guide development in Brandon over the next 30 years — since 2020 and have held several rounds of public engagement.

A draft copy of the plan was circulated earlier this year. It includes elements designed to ensure Brandon takes care of the health, housing, transportation and economic needs of its residents.

Before city council can pass bylaws adopting the new city plan, a public hearing must be held.

Last week, principal planner Sonikile Tembo told the Sun by email that third and final reading of the bylaw cannot be held until the provincial government approves the plan.

She said that a presentation preceding public comments at the hearing will included new information that has not previously been shared.

Residents have until noon today to register in advance to speak at the hearing, though there will also be a chance to register on-site.

To register in advance, residents should email cityclerk@brandon.ca by noon Monday.

A copy of the draft city plan can be found online at brandon.ca/cityplan.

Other items up for discussion at the meeting include:

• Earlier this year, the city announced it had entered into an agreement with the Canada Infrastructure Bank to receive a low-interest loan for the southwest lift station project and upgrades to the municipal water treatment plant. Manitoba’s Municipal Board has approved the borrowing and council will vote to grant its final approval on Monday.

• Council will vote on whether to subdivide 21 Willowcrest Ave. to facilitate a condo development. Before the vote, developer Russ Dueck is scheduled to make a presentation requesting some changes to the proposed development agreement.

• After announcing service reductions last week due to the poor state of repair of the city’s bus fleet, council will hear a proposal to adjust Brandon Transit’s capital plan to incorporate more refurbishments or used bus purchases.

• A progress update will be provided on the city’s mosquito-fogging program.

• Council will vote on whether to spend $30,000 on assessments of the Library/Arts Building to help with a funding application to the federal Green and Inclusive Buildings Fund.

• Second and third readings will be held on new bylaws and bylaw amendments adding new fines for sanitation violations, a rezoning of 639 Van Horne Ave., the new affordable housing incentive program and the dissolution of the city’s poverty committee.

• A presentation will be given on administration’s proposal to install a vandal-proof washroom on Pacific Avenue.

Council meetings start at 7 p.m. in council chambers on the second floor of Brandon City Hall.

For those who can’t attend in person, meetings are livestreamed on the city’s YouTube page and broadcast live on WCGtv.

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