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Site of cross-country ski trails north of the river one step closer to being zoned as recreational

Council unanimously approved second reading of a bylaw to rezone land north of the Burntwood River as a recreational area at their first meeting of 2020 on Jan. 6.
Council approved second reading of a bylaw to rezone land north of the Burntwood River where cross-c
Council approved second reading of a bylaw to rezone land north of the Burntwood River where cross-country ski trails are located as a recreation zone during their Jan. 6 meeting.

Council unanimously approved second reading of a bylaw to rezone land north of the Burntwood River as a recreational area at their first meeting of 2020 on Jan. 6.

The land in question lies to the west of Highway 391 and is the site of popular cross-country ski trails. 

The rezoning was initiated by concerned cross-country skiers who felt that a move by council to open some land north of the city to residential development could threaten the future of those trails.

Eight skiers spoke in favour of rezoning the area as recreational at a public hearing that proceeded Monday’s council meeting.

“During the [2018] Manitoba Games i talked to a lot of people that came up and asked them, ‘What do you think about our trails?’ and they were blown away,” Jeanette Kimball told councillors. “They were just really amazed at our trails and it’s a real gem.”

The proposed rezoning must be approved by the province before council can approve with third reading.

Councillors present at Monday’s meeting said the proposed rezoning showed that coming to council with concerns can lead to positive change.

“It really worked well working together and I would hope and encourage our community to see that that we want to work together and if we want to change things to make it work that we’re open to that,” said Coun Kathy Valentino

Coun. Jeff Fountain said future councils could always reverse the decision but that it would be harder if other recreational activities were also developed north of the river

“I had felt that some other small additions to that area such as a gardening area for community gardening would then cement that site, making it more difficult for a future council to change the zoning and make changes,” he said.

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