A residential development in Millbrook Market has received a parking variance from the City of Steinbach.

Garth Reimer from Reimer Agencies says they are planning to build four apartment buildings on the west side of Millbrook Market with a total of 143 suites. A development of that size would normally need 236 parking stalls, however, his proposal only has 213 stalls.

The site plan for the apartments in Millbrook MarketFollowing a public hearing with no objections, Councillor Michael Zwaagstra moved to approve the request.

"It is a 10% variance in regards to the parking requirement and I think the applicant explained quite clearly, when 30% of the units that are being constructed are either bachelor suites or single bedroom suites, generally speaking, there are going to be a number of those where people have only one vehicle. So, I think it is a reasonable thing to do."

Reimer says the two outer buildings will be 6 storeys tall with indoor parking on the ground floor and the middle two buildings will be 4-storey.

Councillor Damian Penner also spoke in favour of the variance at the public hearing.

"Millbrook Market has more of a campus-style of feel for this neighbourhood. The neighbouring properties are the developer and the developer also has no issues with this. If they are confident that they will not be hampered by this, especially in a new development, I feel like there is no reason that they shouldn't be able to go through with the variance."

Zwaagstra added, the developers of Millbrook Market and these apartment buildings both aren't interested in a design that won’t work.

"When you consider that the area is obviously being developed in an integrated way, clearly the developers want to make this work, they want the neighbourhood to be a showcase for the city, they are not going to build something here with woefully inadequate parking."

Council approved the variance unanimously.