Discretionary Use Proposal

Riverside Christian School, located in the Exhibition neighbourhood, has applied for Discretionary Use approval to develop two portable classrooms to support increased enrollment in the school. 2228 Herman Avenue is an existing private school owned by the applicant. The proposed addition of two portable classrooms would support the increased enrollment of up to 52 students. Three parking spaces are required for this application, and fifteen additional parking spaces are provided (as outlined under the Site Plan tab). This application has been reviewed for compliance with requirements under the Zoning Bylaw.

This site is zoned RMTN – Townhouse Residential District under Bylaw No. 8770, 2009, the City of Saskatoon Zoning Bylaw (Zoning Bylaw).  This zoning district provides for comprehensively planned low to medium density multiple-unit dwellings in the form of townhouses, dwelling groups, and other building forms, as well as related community uses. Private Schools are considered a Discretionary Use in the RMTN District.

Location Map

Provide Feedback

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

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the City of Saskatoon is conducting all engagement activities virtually and through mail outs at this time.

Site Plan for 2228 Herman Avenue 

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 Private School in the RMTN District is City Council.

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 Private School?

The Zoning Bylaw, 8770 2009 defines a private school as “a facility which meets Provincial requirements for elementary, secondary, post-secondary, or other forms of education or training, and which does not secure the majority of its funding from taxation or any governmental agency, and may include vocational and commercial schools, music or dance schools, and other similar schools.”

Process for Reviewing and Approving 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 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.