Ritchot council met for a public meeting on the evening of August 21 to discuss a variety of items on their agenda.
Council gave second and third reading to a new business incentive bylaw which will soon provide tax incentives to businesses putting down roots in Ritchot.
“The Chamber of Commerce… are very excited about it,” Mayor Chris Ewen told council. “They are already spreading the word that it’s going through tonight… [There are already some] developers that I’ve been speaking with that are interested in coming to Ritchot.”
Ewen says that he’s seen a similar program in Saskatchewan, but Ritchot’s will be fairly unique in Manitoba. The program will run indefinitely, until a future council down the road decides to remove it from the bylaws.
Council also considered a subdivision request for 587 Pembina Trail in Ste. Agathe. Councillor Claydon shared some concerns regarding the proposal and wonders if neighbours should have been notified before council makes a decision.
In cases like this, the Manitoba Planning Act doesn’t require a public hearing. Council agreed to table the request until council members can meet with affected residents.
A variation application was then addressed by Moonfleet Farms to vary the minimum agricultural lot size in order to accommodate the removal of two aging chicken barns and replace them with new barns. The application was approved.
A conditional use application was also approved for a trucking terminal with a trailer repair shop in the Riel Industrial Park in Ste. Agathe.
Jackie Wilkie of the McGowan Russel Group made a brief presentation to council regarding a two-lot subdivision proposal for the North Grassie development in Grande Pointe. Council approved the subdivision of land in order to accommodate plans for a 55-plus condo development.
Finally, council reviewed funding that will be dispersed to four community groups as a result of the ParticipACTION Community Challenge held this summer in each community in the RM. Ritchot participated in the national challenge and came out third in the province.
During the challenge, council and the recreation department offered $5,000 worth of funding to the community that logged the most active minutes. St. Adolphe took a significant lead and groups within the community will benefit through a variety of sporting items which will help to continue to promote an active lifestyle.