RM of Hanover criticizes City of Steinbach zoning bylaw

The RM of Hanover is rejecting the City of Steinbach’s updating of its zoning bylaw for transitional areas.

“The city is having a zoning bylaw review and we are opposed to it,” said Reeve Jim Funk. “The simple reason that we have that half mile transitional area and we would like to utilize these areas that is why we are opposed to it and I believe that is the same for the other municipalities.”

Steinbach is surrounded by the RM of Hanover on three sides and the RM of La Broquerie on the east.

An example of a transitional zone and the conflict it can cause is the area located wet of Highway 12 and south of Provincial Road 311. It has three businesses already established on it, notably LMS Ag Equipment and is located on land that has been zoned transitional since 2003; land that could potentially be annexed by the city for future growth.

The RM’s development policy plan allows for the subdivision of agricultural land for agri-commercial/industrial use within an Agriculture 2 area. The RM is required to consult with Steinbach on developments in a transitional zone.

The city’s policy on development of this land is not to approve anything that would fragment the land or is incompatible with the uses of the land for long-term development.

Hanover council has passed first and second reading unanimously to rezone the parcel located west of Highway 12 and south of Highway 311 from Agriculture Limited to Rural Industrial and subdivide it.

Without the support from the city, the matter has gone to the municipal board for approval.

Mayor Earl Funk was did not respond as of press time.