On Sept 16, the Town of Neepawa council met for their regular council meeting. Just into fall, councillors had little to report about their individual council activities but the meeting set the stage for what could be a busy fall in the town.

Councillors Dean Dietrich and Lisa Pottinger reported on a recent NADCO meeting. At the meeting, the representatives were informed that they should hear back from the province by the end of this month regarding funding for the redevelopment of the former East View Lodge. The proposal would see the site turned into 42 units of seniors housing.

During the meeting, council passed two resolutions that will lead to development within the town. The first request was one put forward by Neepawa resident Brad Hackewich. Hackewich has moved the former Ag West shop building onto his Commerce St. property and plans to redevelop it into housing. While at the site, the building is still on blocks and hasn’t yet been set anywhere. The proposal came before council as council must approve any buildings that are moved into the town.

Planning officer Jeff Braun explained that Hackewich had submitted a detailed site layout as well as interior plan for the house, which will have a 1,200 sq.ft. main floor as well as a second floor. He said that the building meets the Town’s zoning requirements and will be serviced by a private well and a holding tank.

Braun explained that if approved, Hackewich will have to provide a engineered foundation plan, one designed especially for the building. He would also have to comply with all current building code requirements. “It will be treated as new construction,” he explained.

Council seemed satisfied with the proposal put forward. “It addresses a lot of questions we would ask about what [the proponent] is doing,” said Dietrich. Council approved the conceptual drawings of the building with the conditions that all required permits are obtained, that Hackewich enters into a development agreement with the Town and that he works in conjunction with

the planning office to ensure the project meets all necessary criteria. “We’re happy to have something that will be of benefit to the community,” said mayor Bill Stilwell.

Council approved a subdivision request put forward by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. The request was to subdivide the lot immediately west of Calvary Chapel from the church’s property. The home on the lot to be subdivided had been the church’s manse. The request would see the front half of that lot would be subdivided, while the back half of the lot would remain with the church property as a possible site for future expansion.

A joint use agreement was developed so that the lane could be used by both the former manse house as well as the neighbour to the west.

Assistant CAO Colleen Synchyshyn said that the subdivision request is very simple, however, there is one complication. In 1892, a lane was closed and this land is included in the property in question. When the lane was closed, the title of that land wasn’t vested property– the paperwork was never recorded with Land Titles.