The Rural Municipality of Roland approved a zoning variation to allow reduced side-yard setbacks for a residential property during its Feb. 10 council meeting.
Council gave the green light to Variation Order No. 2026-01, permitting setbacks on the east and west sides of a proposed home at 63 Blakeston Lane to be reduced from five feet to 3.5 feet. The application, submitted by Codi Hennan, was considered following a public hearing held earlier in the meeting.
“This application was routine for any property owner that wants a variation from our Development plan regulations. There were no objections to the variation requested,” Reeve Jodi Gaultier said.
Councillor Carrie Hennan declared a conflict of interest and left the chamber during the hearing and decision. She rejoined council following the vote.
Council noted public notice for the hearing had been issued in accordance with The Planning Act, with amendments made to reflect updated measurements, setback details and the property’s civic address.
Council also heard from John Harder of Centennial Farm Supply during a scheduled delegation.
Beyond the variation, council discussed several ongoing projects and operational updates, including a potential service agreement with Commissionaires.
“Commisionaires is in charge of our By-Law Enforcement, we have you used their services for the last several years, this was just a renewal of our ongoing contract,” Gaultier said.
Planning continues for a fundraising initiative to support a new fire truck, with councillors working toward organizing a gala event. Meanwhile, drawings for renovations to the Roland Hall are nearing completion, with a request for proposals expected to follow.
“RFP for our hall reno went out April 2nd and closes April 24th. No dates are set for construction yet but if the project does move forward we hope to start sometime this summer,” Gaultier said.
Council also received updates on infrastructure and utilities, including sewer and water matters at 66 and 70 Sixth St., as well as an issue at 58 Fourth St., where an invoice will be issued to the property owners.
The municipality is also moving forward with a liquor licence application, now in Stage 4 of the process.
In other business, council approved its year-end financial statements and appointed Deputy Reeve John Fox and John Bergen to the Tobacco-Shannon Creek subdistrict of the RedBoine Watershed District board for a one-year term beginning April 1.
Public works reported ongoing maintenance and winter operations, including repairs to equipment, snow clearing across the municipality, and work to keep fire hydrants accessible. Annual safety inspections for fire department vehicles and municipal equipment were also completed, with some repairs handled in-house.
Council approved building permits for an occupancy permit at 60 Third St. and new home construction at 66 and 70 Sixth St.
The meeting also marked the start of interim chief administrative officer John Blatz, who has taken over administrative duties while the municipality continues its operations and year-end financial processes.
Correction
An article in the March 19 edition of the Carman Dufferin Standard covering the Jan. 13 meeting of the Rural Municipality of Roland contained errors in identifying municipal officials.
The article incorrectly stated that Reeve Chris Klassen and councillor Taya O’Brien were authorized to sign a tax arrears recovery agreement. It should have read that administrative assistant Amber Klassen or CAO Taya O’Brien were authorized to sign on behalf of the municipality. The Reeve of RM of Roland is Jodi Gaultier.
The article also incorrectly identified the municipality’s representative to the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation board as Councillor Brent Hennan. The correct name is Councillor Carrie Hennan.
The Standard regrets the errors.
