The Rural Municipality of Hanover council will meet on February 25, 2026, to decide on four requests from Bluestem Development for a new housing project near Blumenort, Manitoba. The decision will determine the layout, density and number of homes that can be built in the area.
Bluestem Development is asking for changes to standard rules regarding lot widths, side-yard setbacks and building height requirements. These variances would apply to a new phase of construction south of Rockridge Drive and to parcels near Highway 12.
The project has faced challenges in the past, including a 2021 petition from local residents reported by The Carillon that forced the developer to revise earlier plans. Neighbours have raised concerns about the number of homes being proposed and the adequacy of planned greenspace.
The meeting will be an early file for the RM of Hanover’s new chief administrative officer, Mike Primeau, who was hired in January 2026, according to The Carillon. Reporting has also noted the municipality is weighing housing approvals against recent regional wastewater and infrastructure developments, though Primeau’s specific role in those matters has not been detailed in published reports.
Reeve Jim Funk and council members must balance the need for more housing with residents’ concerns. A November 2025 municipal board ruling reported by SteinbachOnline on a rezoning request west of Highway 12 underscores the ongoing tensions around growth and land-use decisions in the area.
