4th time's a charm for Crescentwood infill project

A Winnipeg developer has won a battle to build an infill condo project in Crescentwood after city council overturned a trio of decisions made by council subcommittees.

Council voted 11-5 Wednesday to approve a land-use change that will allow Ventura Developments to build a four-storey, 12-unit condo project to rise on vacant land at McMillan Avenue and Harrow Street.

Council's City Centre community committee turned down the project on Nov. 8. The planning, property and development committee and executive policy committee followed suit in recent weeks.

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In the end, only area councillor John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry) and Couns. Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry), Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre), Brian Mayes (St. Vital) and Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas) voted in opposition.

"I have to say 11 councillors can be referred to as heroes of infill and the city's now moving in an upward direction and a good precedent has now been set," Ventura vice-president Tim Comack said.

Orlikow says he respects will of council

Prior to the council vote, both Orlikow and Mayor Brian Bowman rapped Comack for what they described as inappropriate lobbying outside the public-hearing process.

Comack said he has "tremendous respect" for Orlikow and said he didn't intend to offend anyone.

Orlikow said while he was disappointed with the vote, he respects the will of council.

He also said council ought to make its rules governing lobbying from developers more consistent.

That would involve either allowing unfettered lobbying or coming up with tighter rules, he said.