Rockwood council learned more about a subdivision application from Landmark Planning and Design.
The first phase of the proposed subdivision would create 72 new lots as well as a public reserve in Stony Mountain. Several public service roads would also be opened for future development. The configuration would be 43 single-family lots, 24 duplex lots, four multi-family lots and one planned unit development lot.
The second phase would create 82 new lots, 12 public reserves and several public roads for future development. Of the 82 lots, 29 are north of Old Highway 7 (Municipal Road 75N). The remaining 53 lots would be south of Old Highway 7 (Municipal Road 75N). Proposed uses include commercial, single-family, two-family and multi-family residential, as well as parks and open spaces.
Landmark Planning and Design also requested authorization to develop a three-storey 50-unit independent living facility on a Stony Mountain property on Road 10E. All floors would be served by elevator, units and common areas to meet accessibility. The site, which has about 1,400 feet of frontage onto Road 10E, is one of the proposed lots in Phase 1 of the development. There would be 105 parking stalls, including eight accessible stalls, with pedestrian paths and landscaping. Council conditionally approved the request. The proposed lot also has the potential to add a second independent living facility in a future phase.
Several people attended a recent public hearing in support and for information about the proposal. There were no objections.
In other council news:
• Council considered a request to establish a cannabis retail store within a closed-in area with its own access in the back of the existing Pick ‘N Pay convenience store in Stony Mountain. The store is already licensed for retail liquor sales. Access to the proposed cannabis store would be limited to those who meet the age requirement, and it would have its own point-of-sales system.
The proposed cannabis store would also have its own video surveillance system, and the owner lives in a residential dwelling in the basement of the convenience store. Hours of operation would be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries and the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) regulates cannabis retail.
“I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the local community by providing licensed cannabis products authorized and approved by LGCA and to support Interlake business,” said the applicant’s letter of intent.
“Any employees of the cannabis store will be fully trained in the sale of cannabis. I also aim to educate customers about the responsible use of cannabis, its potential effects and benefits.”
The location of the proposed store is a short distance off a main highway running north and south, he added.
“I am dedicated to being a good corporate citizen and I have actively participated in and donated to community events,” states the letter of intent.
South Interlake Planning District had no significant concerns with the application, and council conditionally approved the request.
• An agreement is now in place between the RM of Rockwood and the Interlake Off-Road Club. The club will maintain a portion of the Rockwood Rail Trail from Road 82N to Road 102N.
• Council authorized public works to patch Road 8E from Road 93N to 94N in the 2026 budget.
• Council approved a request from Stony Mountain Community Association to put up fencing around the ball diamond in Stony Mountain.
• The RM contributed $1,200 as a gold table sponsor for the South West District Palliative Care gala dinner and dance on Nov. 22 in Stonewall.
• Council authorized a $3,000 sponsorship towards the Presents for Parents program offered by Madeline’s Closet.
• Council authorized a $500 donation towards the Warren Collegiate track revival project.
• Council authorized the property owners on Road 76N (Winfield Road) to operate A Very Merry Winfield Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The event will feature a community drive-through Christmas lights display, complete with mini donuts, hot chocolate and wagon rides. Funds raised from the event will be donated to Interlake Community Living.
• Reid and Miller Chartered Professional Accountants will be the RM of Rockwood’s municipal auditors for 2026 and 2027.
• The RM of Rockwood is applying for $165,550 in funding from the provincial government’s GRO grants towards restoring the roof at the Stony Mountain Community Centre. The total cost of the project is $347,655, which would leave a municipal contribution of $182,105 if the grant request is successful.
• Council gave first reading to amend the zoning bylaw to rezone an area from industrial extractive holding area zone to an industrial extractive zone at a property north of Provincial Road 323 about halfway between Provincial Trunk Highway 7 and Provincial Road 236. Glacial Stone has applied for the rezoning to support aggregate extraction over a two- to four-year period, based on an extraction rate of 500,000 tonnes per year. The property is currently vacant and cultivated, and the lands to the north, east and west are mainly used for agriculture with a mix of cultivated and uncultivated lands. To the south, a rural residential property is surrounded by cultivated lands. There are about nine rural residential properties within one kilometre of the property. Once the extraction phase is complete, then rehabilitation of the lands would begin.
“The RM of Rockwood is identified as one of the most important sources of non-renewable mineral deposits to support the construction industry in the Capital Region,” states the letter of intent. “The proposed development further supports the construction industry and cost-effective infrastructure development, both locally and regionally.”
Glacial Stone has also applied for rezoning of another property to enable extraction over a 10-year period based on an extraction rate of 500,000 to 600,000 tonnes per year. This proposal would also require conditional use approval for part of the property that’s currently zoned as agricultural limited and is not designated for mining.
The lands to the north, east and south are mainly used for agriculture with a mix of cultivated and uncultivated lands. The lands immediately to the east and south are also owned by Glacial Stone. The site to the east includes a rural residential property surrounded by berm built as part of an active quarry that also encompasses the quarter section to the south. This quarry is being developed and progressively rehabilitated with future phased expansion planned to the east. There are approximately 12 rural residential properties within one kilometre of the subject property. Council also gave first reading to this rezoning request.
A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m.
• Council gave first reading to a bylaw to establish a community development corporation to regulate the RM’s business and affairs. A community development corporation aims to promote its community within the municipality by achieving goals set out in the economic development strategic plan. The first phase of the plan is to build a 50-unit seniors housing facility.
If it is well received in the community, the RM may want to invest in another economic venture; however, it will be up to future council members to decide. The RM has hired Municipal Mentors Inc. to oversee the project in its financial capacity. In addition, designers, architects, engineers and builders have been selected. There was no public hearing to register the community development corporation since the Municipal Act did not require it.
