Department: Saskatoon Land

Mailing Address: Saskatoon Land, 200 4th Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0K1 Attn: Whiteswan Lots

Phone Number: 306-975-5263 - ask for staff working on the Whiteswan Drive project

Email: LAND@saskatoon.ca  subject line: Whiteswan Drive Lots

What is the Whiteswan Drive infill project?
The City of Saskatoon is reviewing the feasibility of selling 30 City-owned residential lots along Whiteswan Drive for future housing development. The lots are already subdivided, have water and sewer service and are zoned for low density residential use.

Has a final decision been made?
No final decision has been made. City staff are still gathering public input. A report will go to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance in August 2026. The committee of City Councillors will ultimately decide if the lots go up for sale.

Why is the City looking at these lots now?
It’s all part of a wider review the City is doing of land in established neighbourhoods where services already exist. Several factors have contributed to examining the potential release of these lots including long‑term improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Strategic Plan direction to advance infill outcomes under Council’s Urban and Regional Growth priority and neighbourhood infill policy direction in the Official Community Plan.

Where are the lots located?
The 30 lots are located along the north end of Whiteswan Drive in the Silverwood Heights neighbourhood.

What zoning applies to the lots?
Twenty-two lots are zoned R1 and eight are zoned R1A. No zoning changes are proposed for lots to ensure compatibility with existing building forms.

What is the difference between R1 and R1A zoning?
R1 lots are wider and have a lower maximum building height. R1A lots are narrower and allow slightly taller homes. Existing homes in nearby crescents already have similar heights.

Could duplexes or multi-unit homes be built?
Zoning allows up to four units per lot. However, Saskatoon Land may restrict housing form through architectural controls. Secondary suites are permitted by zoning and would be reviewed through the standard building permit process.

Are the lots within the Water Security Agency buffer zone?
Yes. Some of the lots fall within the recommended 300 metre buffer zone for wastewater treatment facilities. Some existing homes are also within this buffer.

Is this allowed under current provincial guidance?
The buffer guideline is advisory. The Water Security Agency has requested that the City ensure buyers are fully informed about lot proximity to the wastewater treatment plant. The existing and proposed lots were created before buffer zone requirements came into force, and the advisory guidelines allow flexibility for existing homes and a small portion of the proposed lots to remain within the buffer zone where measures have been taken to address odour issues.

How will buyers be informed?
A notice about proximity to the Wastewater Treatment Plant will be placed on every property title. This Building Covenant notice will remain on the title of the property if it is resold.

Has an environmental impact study been completed?
No recent environmental studies specific to these lots have been completed so far.

Is an environmental review required?
No regulatory environmental study is required because the lots are already subdivided and zoned for residential use.

Could an environmental review still be done?
Yes. An environmental site assessment could be considered to ensure there are no impacts on the lots.

Are the lots part of the Meewasin Valley Conservation Area?
No. The lots are not designated park land nor are they included in the Meewasin Conservation Area. They are fully serviced, titled residential parcels located near the river valley.

What about trees and wildlife?
Some trees may need to be removed where homes would be built. Builders will be encouraged to keep and incorporate trees in yards where possible.

Why does this area appear to function as green space for the neighbourhood?

The vacant lots have been maintained for decades by the Wastewater Treatment Plant. While they appear to be green space, they were never designated as park land.

Can new easements be added for backyard access?
No new backyard access easements are currently planned if the SPC on Finance Committee decides to put the lots up for sale. Suggestions raised during engagement will be documented and reviewed. Existing pedestrian connectivity through registered walkways will remain.

Are the lots fully serviced?
Yes. Water and sewer services were installed around 1980. Power, gas and telecommunications infrastructure is being reviewed with some minimal upgrades potentially required.

Will drainage affect neighbouring homes?
City engineers designed lot drainage patterns when the lots were created in the 1980s. Most lots drain toward Whiteswan Drive. Grades will be checked again before sale and drainage controls would be added if required.

Will traffic increase significantly?
Given the small scale of the development, significant increases in traffic are unlikely.

Has traffic safety been studied?
A neighbourhood traffic study was completed in 2017. If traffic or safety concerns remain a major issue, an additional study may be requested to confirm impacts before the report to Committee is prepared.

Will transit service change?
A transit review has not been completed. Any potential changes to transit service would be reviewed later, if the project proceeds.

What construction impacts should residents expect?
Residents may experience noise, increased traffic and construction debris on the street during home building.

How will impacts be managed?
Construction must follow city noise bylaws and permitted hours. The City will monitor the area and can implement measures such as increased street sweeping to mitigate impacts.

Could the lots be released in phases?
Yes. Phased release could be considered to reduce construction impacts but as this is a review, no decision has been made regarding the sale or potential phasing.

Will lots only be sold to builders?
No. While the specific lot sale process and terms have not yet been finalized, if the project proceeds, both builders and individual purchasers will have the opportunity to buy a lot.

Can current neighbours buy the lots?
Yes. Existing residents may apply through the same public process as other buyers. The specific lot sale process and terms of sale have yet to be determined.

What will the lots cost?
Prices have not yet been set.

Are there building requirements?
Current policy requires homes to be built within three years. Individual buyers must live in the home for four years to prevent flipping.

Have any builders already been promised lots?
No. No commitments or informal agreements have been made.

How does this support housing needs?
Lots would increase housing supply and serve a market segment that is currently not available.

Is this considered infill development?
Yes. The City considers development in existing neighbourhoods like Silverwood to be infill. Policies and objectives within the City of Saskatoon Official Community Plan support the development of homes on vacant or underutilized lots that is consistent in form and character of existing areas.

How much influence do residents have?
All feedback will be summarized in a public engagement report provided to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance. Residents may also speak directly at the committee meeting tentatively planned for August 5, 2026.

Can timelines change?
Yes. Timelines may change based on public feedback and committee direction.

Saskatoon Land 

Mailing Address: Saskatoon Land, 200 4th Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0K1 Attn: Whiteswan Lots

Phone Number: 306-975-5263 - ask for staff working on the Whiteswan Drive project

Email: LAND@saskatoon.ca subject line: Whiteswan Drive Lots