Steinbach city council has unanimously passed a resolution to oppose a rezoning application along Sunrise Lane in the RM of La Broquerie. A resident there has applied to change his land from agricultural use to industrial/commercial use. City councillor Michael Zwaagstra says this property is within the 1.5 mile transition zone around Steinbach. He notes the city has an agreement with La Broquerie council that it is to be consulted on any land use changes within that zone. But Zwaagstra says La Broquerie did not do so in this case.

"The reason we have the transition zone is to ensure that land which is near the city is protected and that it's developed in an orderly way because, at some time, borders may change. So, we want to make sure that everything proceeds in a proper way. We're certainly not opposed to neighbouring municipalities growing and expanding. That is a good thing that benefits the entire region. We just simply ask that, when the expansion is happening within a transition zone, that we make sure that we are consulted as part of that process."

Zwaagstra notes the requested zoning change is of significant concern.

"It would change the zoning to rural commercial. It would also make a permitted use within that particular zoning area for places of assembly which would include manufacturing. This is a significant impact on the city."

The resolution means council will formally oppose the rezoning at a Municipal Board hearing May 2nd.

Mayor Chris Goertzen adds Steinbach will also send a letter to La Broquerie council to remind it of the agreement regarding the transition zone.

"Council thinks it's very important that we respect the agreements between municipalities. We do have a transition zone where we have a shared agreement with the municipality of La Broquerie. Part of that is the duty to consult when there are changes. That didn't happen at this time and it might have been an oversight. So we are going to send a letter to La Broquerie to ask that they consult us if there are changes because we want to work together as a region, making sure that we have good planning."

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