Proposal

North Prairie Developments Ltd. (the applicant) has applied for an Official Community Plan (OCP) Map Amendment, a Concept Plan Map Amendment, and rezoning for the northern portion of 235 Horner Crescent in Evergreen that requires a decision by City Council at a Public Hearing.

1. OCP Map Amendment - from Residential to District Village

All property in the City of Saskatoon is assigned a land use designation under the City of Saskatoon’s Official Community Plan, Bylaw No. 9700. Land use designations establish the general use and character of a site or area to help ensure that development takes place in an orderly, rational manner. Each land use designation is distinct in its purpose and density/intensity of use.

The applicant has applied to amend the OCP land use designation from “Residential” to “District Village” for the northern portion of 235 Horner Cres. Land designated as “Residential” has the potential for residential development and community uses compatible within a neighbourhood setting.

Land designated as “District Village” has the potential for a mix of low to medium density residential, commercial, institutional, and community uses. District Villages serve the basic needs of the surrounding two to five neighbourhoods, providing focal points of transit-oriented commercial development.

2. Evergreen Concept Plan Amendment - from Low/Medium Density Multi Unit to Mixed Use

The applicant is proposing to amend the Evergreen Concept Plan land use map for the northern portion of 235 Horner Crescent from “Low/Medium Density Multi Unit” to “Mixed Use”.

3. Rezoning - from RMTN1 to B4A

The subject property is currently zoned RMTN1 – Medium Density Townhouse Residential District 1, which provides for comprehensively planned medium density multiple-unit dwellings in the form of townhouses, dwellings groups, and other building forms, as well as related community uses.

The applicant is proposing to rezone the northern portion of 235 Horner Crescent to B4A – Special Suburban Centre and Arterial Commercial District. The purpose of the B4A District is to facilitate suburban centre and arterial commercial development, including mixed-use commercial/multiple-unit residential development, where appropriate.

What is a Neighbourhood Concept Plan?

A Neighbourhood Concept Plan (Concept Plan) is a neighborhood-level land use plan that guides the development of a new neighbourhood in Saskatoon. It outlines the land uses, densities, transportation network, parks system, and community facilities intended for a neighbourhood as it grows.

A Concept Plan is approved by resolution of City Council following an extensive review process. Once a Concept Plan is approved, it is implemented over many years as the land is subdivided, zoning is applied, roads and services are installed, parks are constructed, and residences and businesses in the new neighbourhood are established.

As a new neighbourhood is built out, circumstances often necessitate amendments to a Concept Plan. Proposed amendments are reviewed, including a community engagement process prior to being considered by City Council for a decision.

What is a Rezoning?

All property in the City of Saskatoon is assigned a zoning designation under the Zoning Bylaw No. 8770. Within each zoning designation, specific land uses are either permitted, prohibited, or discretionary.

Applications to change the zoning designation of a property may be considered through a rezoning process, which includes review by City Administration and engagement with the surrounding neighbourhood. All rezoning applications require a decision by City Council at a Public Hearing upon conclusion of the process.

Both Concept Plan amendment and rezoning applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis where both the subject site(s) and the surrounding neighbourhood are considered in the review.

What is the Typical Process for a Rezoning Application?

When a rezoning application is received by Planning and Development, it is reviewed for conformity with the Official Community Plan, Zoning Bylaw, and other applicable city planning policies and development regulations.  It is also circulated to other Civic Departments to review technical considerations such as the capacity of water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportation infrastructure to accommodate the proposal.

Once internal review by the relevant Civic Departments is complete, public engagement on the application is undertaken. This phase of the process provides the opportunity for members of the public to review a proposal, ask questions, identify issues, and provide comment.  Registered property owners, typically within 75-150 metres of the subject site, the Community Association, and the Ward Councillor are notified of the application, and are invited to provide questions and comment.  When necessary, a public information meeting is held that may include a formal presentation, and question and answer session. 

Following public engagement, Planning and Development prepares a report that includes a recommendation on the application, and outlines information collected from the internal review and public engagement processes.  The report is first considered by the Municipal Planning Commission, an advisory committee to City Council.  The final decision to approve or deny a rezoning rests with City Council who consider the report and recommendation along with the Municipal Planning Commission’s feedback at a Public Hearing.  Any member of the public is welcome to provide a written submission, or address City Council regarding the application at the Public Hearing.