Proposal

The Planning and Development Department has received an application from North Prairie Developments Ltd. (the applicant) proposing to amend the Brighton Neighbourhood Concept Plan (Concept Plan) and rezone land within the neighbourhood to accommodate residential development.

1. Proposed Concept Plan Amendment

The applicant is proposing to amend the Concept Plan land use map for the subject site from Mixed Use 1 – Residential/Retail/Institutional to Medium Density Multi Unit Dwellings.

2. Rezoning - from RMTN(H) to RM4

The subject property is currently undeveloped and zoned RMTN(H) – Townhouse Residential District subject to Holding Symbol. The purpose of the RMTN District is to provide 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.

The applicant is proposing to remove the holding symbol and rezone the land to RM4 – Medium/High Density Multiple-Unit Dwelling District. The proposed rezoning to RM4 would align with the Medium Density Multi Unit Dwellings Concept Plan Amendment that is being applied in conjunction with this rezoning application. The purpose of the RM4 District is to provide for a variety of residential developments in a medium to high density form as well as related community uses.

What is a Concept Plan?

A 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 a 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 Concept Plan Amendment? 

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. Proposed amendments are reviewed 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, 2009. 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 the conclusion of the review process.

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

What is the Typical Process for an Amendment Application?

When an amendment 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.  The application 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 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 comments.  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 an amendment application rests with City Council which considers 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.