Discretionary Use Proposal

A Discretionary Use Application has been submitted requesting approval to develop a Gas Bar and Car Wash as part of a mixed-use shopping centre development located at 1218 Baltzan Boulevard in the Evergreen Neighbourhood.

The subject site is zoned B4MX – Integrated Commercial Mixed-Use District under the Bylaw No. 8770, The City of Saskatoon Zoning Bylaw (Zoning Bylaw).  The purpose of B4MX Zoning is to facilitate mixed-use development on principal streets in this district. The B4MX District provides for a range of medium to high-density residential uses, commercial and institutional uses in a manner that encourages retail and service-based uses at grade level. Gas Bars and Car Washes are considered a Discretionary Use in the B4MX District.

Location Map

Provide Feedback

Questions and comments on this proposal are invited at this time by contacting: 

Planner, Tanner Halonen
tanner.halonen@saskatoon.ca
306-986-3699

Appropriate alternatives to public information meetings are being evaluated in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Based on the response to this proposal, next steps in the engagement process will be determined.

Renderings & Site Plans for 1218 Baltzan Boulevard

Rendering Elevations:

Site Plan:

What is a Discretionary Use?

All property in the City of Saskatoon is assigned a zoning designation.  Within each zoning designation, specific land uses are either permitted, prohibited, or discretionary.  A Discretionary Use is a land use that is generally consistent with the permitted uses in a zoning district.  As per Section 4.7.2(1) of the Zoning Bylaw, a Discretionary Use may be allowed either at the discretion of City Council or City Administration.  Either approving authority can approve, approve with conditions, or deny a Discretionary Use application.  The approving authority for Gas Bars and Car Washes in the B4MX District is City Council.

The Planning and Development Division evaluates Discretionary Use applications on a case-by-case basis considering the site itself, as well the surrounding context including nearby land uses.

A Discretionary Use approval is applied to a specific site, not the applicant.  Any change in size or intensity of the use approved would require a new Discretionary Use application.

What is a Gas Bar?

The Zoning Bylaw defines a “Gas Bar” as establishment engaged in the retail sale of vehicle fuel, lubricants, and may include an accessory convenience store, but does not include any use engaged in the sale, rental, service and repair of motor vehicles.

What is a Car Wash?

The Zoning Bylaw defines a “Car Wash” as a building or portion of a building which is used for the washing of vehicles, including full service, automatic and hand operated facilities, but does not include facilities for the washing of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 5000 kg.

Process

When a Discretionary Use application is received by the Planning and Development Division, it is circulated to internal Civic Departments to identify conformance or conflict with the Official Community Plan, the Zoning Bylaw, and any other applicable policies and regulations.  Departments that review the application include Planning and Development, Transportation & Construction, Environment & Utilities, Fire & Protective Services, and Building Standards.

Once the application has been reviewed by internal Civic Departments, public consultation on the application is undertaken.  Registered property owners typically within 75 to 150 metres of the subject site and the Ward Councillor are notified of the proposed Discretionary Use application as per the City’s Public Notice Policy.  When considered necessary, a public information meeting may be held to provide information to area residents on the Discretionary Use application, answer questions, and receive feedback.

Information collected from the internal review and public consultation processes will be considered by City Administration.  The application may then be approved, approved with conditions, or denied.