4th time's a charm for Crescentwood infill project

A Winnipeg developerhas 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 areacouncillorJohnOrlikow(River Heights-Fort Garry) andCouns. JennyGerbasi(Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry), CindyGilroy(Daniel McIntyre), BrianMayes(St. Vital) and MikePagtakhan(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 precedenthas now been set," Ventura vice-president Tim Comack said.

Orlikow says he respects will of council

Prior to the councilvote, bothOrlikowand Mayor Brian Bowman rappedComackfor what they described as inappropriate lobbying outside the public-hearing process.

Comack said he has "tremendous respect" for Orlikowand 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 tomake its rules governing lobbying from developers more consistent.

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