Parking Services has applied for Discretionary Use approval to operate a Temporary Surface Parking Lot in the Downtown neighbourhood. This site is zoned B6 – Downtown Commercial District under the Zoning Bylaw, Bylaw No. 9990, 2024 (Zoning Bylaw).

The Zoning Bylaw defines a surface parking lot as a site in the Downtown used for parking motor vehicles on a permanent or temporary basis, with or without compensation, that is located at grade level, is not enclosed or located within a parking structure, and is not located in conjunction with a principal building on the site. A temporary surface parking lot is differentiated from a permanent surface parking lot through development standards related to surfacing and landscaping.

Following approval of the new Downtown surface parking regulations by Council on June 25, 2025 (Bylaw No. 10081), the applicant has indicated that they are applying as a temporary measure in order to continue operating until a suitable future land use has been decided. If the applicant decides to seek Permanent Surface Parking Lot status, a new Discretionary Use application would be required to establish them as this use.

Location Map

Provide Feedback

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

Gavin MacMillan, Planner

gavin.macmillan@saskatoon.ca

306.975.7728

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 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 a Temporary Surface Parking Lot in the B6 District is City Administration.

The Planning and Development Department evaluates Discretionary Use applications on a case-by-case basis considering the site itself, as well as 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 Temporary Surface Parking Lot?

The Zoning Bylaw defines a surface parking lot as a site in the Downtown used for parking motor vehicles on a permanent or temporary basis, with or without compensation, that is located at grade level, is not enclosed or located within a parking structure, and is not located in conjunction with a principal building on the site.

A temporary surface parking lot is different from a permanent surface parking lot through development standards related to surfacing and landscaping.

What is the B6 Zoning District?

The purpose of the B6 district is to facilitate a wide range of mixed-use developments consisting of residential, commercial and institutional uses in a high-density, high-quality and pedestrian-oriented form in the Downtown neighbourhood.

Process for Reviewing a Discretionary Use Application

When a Discretionary Use application is received by the Planning and Development Department, 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 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.

Process for Approving a Discretionary Use Application

Delegated to City Administration - Applications delegated to City Administration do not require a decision from City Council at a Public Hearing. Following the review process noted above, City Administration will consider the information collected from the internal review and public consultation processes and the application may then be approved, approved with conditions, or denied.

Delegated to City Council - Applications delegated to City Council require a decision during a Public Hearing. Following the review process noted above, City Administration will prepare a report for City Council's consideration containing information collected from the internal review and public consultation. Notice of the Public Hearing will be mailed to property owners within approximately 150m of the subject site and will contain information on the Public Hearing including the date, time, and instructions on how to submit a letter or request to speak at the Public Hearing. During the Public Hearing, City Council will consider the report and may either approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application.

The approving authority for a Temporary Surface Parking Lot in the B6 District is City Administration.