Art store parking lot appeal successful

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This article was published 15/06/2022 (826 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A City of Winnipeg order to pave an 11,400-square-foot gravel parking lot its owner wants to convert into a green space has been rescinded.

Artists Emporium, which moved to its current space at 580 Roseberry St. in November, appealed the demand to pave the lot behind its new property, estimating it would cost more than $100,000 for that work.

Art supply store owner Janeen Junson said her business requires just a few parking spaces, so she doesn’t need the land for that purpose. She plans to instead convert the rear gravel lot into a green space with shrubs. It would be used for employee breaks, outdoor art classes and individual art projects.

She argued the paving requirement wasn’t fair, noting previous retailers at the same location weren’t required to do so.

On Thursday, city council’s appeals committee agreed, voting to remove the order.