Rockwood council news in brief
A group of property owners packed into the Rockwood council chambers to voice opposition during a public hearing focused on varying the minimum site width of a subdivision on Road 8E, also known as Sturgeon Road, which also abuts Winfield Way.
In December, council conditionally approved a subdivision that would result in three rural residential lots. The first proposed lot has an existing single-family home serviced with a septic field and individual well, with access from Sturgeon Road. The second and third proposed lots would be used for a new single-family home on each lot.
In addition, the second lot would need a new driveway from Sturgeon Road, while the third lot would need a new driveway from Winfield Way.
One condition of the subdivision requires the landowner to vary the minimum site width of the first two lots to 227.89 feet from the required 300 feet. In addition, the third lot would need a variance to allow a site width of 107.80 feet from the required 300 feet.
The property owners at the meeting voiced concerns that included impacts on property value, safety and increased traffic. Others opposed the idea of accessing the property via a driveway from Winfield Way, which is a municipal road. They noted that Winfield Way is often used for walking, cycling and walking pets off-leash.
The South Interlake Planning District had no significant concerns with the application. Council approved the request.
In other Rockwood council news:
• Unlimited spring yard waste pickup will be available on May 1 and 8. Only yard waste will be picked up, including leaves, grass clippings, garden flowerbed vegetation and straw. The yard waste must be in a paper bag at the curb for pickup. After May 8, only three bags of yard waste will be allowed per residential property.
• Council conditionally approved a request to authorize a temporary mobile home on a two-acre property northeast of Grosse Isle. The secondary residence would allow the homeowners to provide accommodations and care for their parents as they age. Council also approved a request to vary the side setback to 30 feet from the required 50 feet.
• Council conditionally approved a request to classify an existing 1,160-square-foot single-family home as a secondary suite, which would allow them to build a new 1,850-square-foot principal dwelling on the same site on Road 11E, southeast of Teulon. The reason for the request is to have a larger primary dwelling, with a smaller secondary suite on the same site to accommodate two families. The new dwelling will be a modern ready-to-move home. Council approved the request.
• Council approved second reading of a bylaw to rezone a property from a commercial central and residential single-family zone to a residential multiple family zone to allow for the development of a five-unit townhome in Balmoral. The approval is subject to conditions, which must be met prior to the adoption of the bylaw.
• The RM and the Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company are entering into an agreement regarding grant funding under the wildfire grant program.
• The RM of Rockwood is entering into an agreement between the RM of Rockwood and Brett Meilleur to produce fire mitigation videos.
• Rockwood council agreed to provide the Inwood Snowmobile Club with a letter of support for an application for an ORV land and rehabilitation grant. The Inwood Snowmobile Club is a non-profit organization that has an agreement with the RM to maintain part of the Rockwood Rail Trail.
• The RM of Rockwood will enter into an agreement with the provincial government for funding to support the reconstruction of Road 75N and Road 10E.
• Council approved a request for a Stony Mountain resident to have three chickens at his residence. Council will amend the bylaw to include chickens and hens in residential zones.
• Council authorized paying $63,120 to the South Interlake Planning District for the 2025 municipal contribution levy.
• Council is signing the 2025 road works contract with Bayview Construction for an estimated $275,700 plus tax.
• Heidelberg Materials will be the southern supplier for gravel and Armstrong Construction will be the northern supplier.
• Council adopted a policy to recognize employees’ years of service and retirement. In addition, council adopted a policy to acknowledge 50th wedding anniversaries of Rockwood residents.
• Council defeated a resolution to pay a $300 membership fee to the Hudson Bay Route Association.
• Council approved a request to allow a wedding to be held at a residential property in Stony Mountain on Sept. 20 from 3:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. A DJ can provide entertainment as long as it doesn’t create any noise nuisance after 11 p.m. About 100 guests are expected to attend, and guest vehicles will be parked on the property so they won’t interrupt traffic flow in the community.
• Council approved a Manitoba Cycling Association sanctioned bike race in Stony Mountain on June 17 from 6 to 10 p.m.
• Council agreed to destroy certain duplicate records.
• Council gave second and third readings to regulate truck travel routes in the municipality.
• Council gave second and third readings to establish designated officer positions.
• Council gave first reading to a bylaw to control and remove obstructions from municipal roads, ditches, parks and reserves.
• Council gave first reading to a bylaw to deal with issuing aggregate transport licences as well as aggregate mining licences and fees.
• Council gave first reading to regulate and control firearms within townsites and designated areas.
• Council gave first reading to a bylaw to regulate the use of the Stony Mountain Institute/Rockwood wastewater treatment lagoon by sewage wastewater haulers.
