Sketch of proposed three storey apartment. The city says it can be no higher than two stories

Steinbach city council arrived at a compromise Tuesday night in dealing with a contentious proposal for an apartment block at the corner of Reimer Avenue and 4th Street.

A developer wants to build a three storey, 15 suite building there. Many neighbours spoke against it expressing concern about things like increased traffic on an already busy street and felt that the building was too tall.
    
Councillor Michael Zwaagstra then moved a compromise. "Certainly we had a situation where the applicant wanted to proceed with a three storey apartment building. Neighbours in the area were quite concerned about that in terms of how it would fit in and the impact it would have. The motion that was put forward was a compromise where we reduce the height to two stories, which reduces the number of units that can go in there and better fits into the neighbourhood but still allows some development to go there because it's generally recognized that some development should be allowed to go ahead."

Mayor Chris Goertzen adds, "Council was very interested to hear from the public. It was a compromise that council did come up with. I think it's appropriate for the neighbourhood, it will allow this area to be developed and will make it more appealing for the neighbourhood and also the city at large."

Council has given second reading to the required zoning change. If area residents continue their opposition, the next step would be a Municipal Board Hearing.