News Releases

At the Regular Business meeting on December 20, 2023, City Council voted to direct Administration to review and make recommendations for the removal of minimum parking requirements from the Zoning Bylaw. This will allow developers, homeowners and businesses to decide how much onsite parking to provide on their properties, rather than it being mandated by the City.

“Removal of minimum parking requirements provides flexibility for property owners to make decisions on how to most efficiently use their own land,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development. “While accessible parking and bicycle parking will still be required, removing mandatory minimums as many other cities have done across North America has been shown to reduce permit wait times, improve affordable housing opportunities as space is opened up for more homes, and also supports the City’s goals for sustainability and environmental leadership by reducing regulations that incentivize automobile use and supporting more sustainable transportation options.”

To support the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund Application to the Federal Government, at its Regular Meeting, November 22, 2023, Council approved a motion for City Administration to bring forward a proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment to remove parking requirements from areas defined within the Corridor Areas and report back to a Public Hearing in the first quarter of 2024. Today’s decision directs Administration to develop recommendations for areas across the City and to bring those forward to Committee and Council as required.

“Only off-street parking will be affected by the removal of minimum parking requirements. On-street parking and the Residential Parking Program (RPP) are outside of the scope of this review,” says Anderson. “Impacts for on-street parking will be monitored and will be managed separately.”

Engagement on the removal of parking will be completed in 2024. More information can be found at the project’s Engage page, including more background on parking requirements and an in-depth frequently-asked-questions document on parking.

Two information reports presented to the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) at the December 12, 2023, regular meeting will serve to help develop the vision for what Downtown Saskatoon could look like with the establishment of a successful Downtown Event and Entertainment District.  

The first report examines the results of the Phase I Engagement of the project, outlining what respondents would like to see in the District and the wider Downtown to make the area more vibrant and livable.  

“Phase I Engagement was designed to ask the public what they would like to see for amenities and space improvements in the District,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services, Transportation & Construction Division. “We gathered feedback on what people appreciate about Downtown currently and what we could improve to make the area more welcoming and accessible. We took this information and are using it to help inform our upcoming plans, not only for the potential event centre/arena, but for the District as a whole.” 

The Phase I Engagement, which took place from April 17 to May 18, 2023, used a number of techniques including targeted stakeholder meetings, pop-up locations for on-the-street feedback, an engagement kit, and physical and online surveys, which received 3,134 respondents. Targeted engagement remains ongoing with Indigenous leaders, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and broader public engagement on the conceptual design is expected to take place in 2024. 

The second report analyzes the market context for future development of the area. The Downtown Market Analysis of Housing and Retail Demand was completed by the City’s Technical Advisor, Stantec. Stantec’s key takeaways include: 

• The housing market is strong, and the market analysis outlines targeting an additional 200 residential units per year in the Downtown. This looks to grow Downtown’s population to 10,000 within the next two decades. 

• The impact of more Downtown residential development will support and strengthen businesses and organizations and make Downtown more livable as a vibrant community. 

• Downtown has an existing character and energy that, together with its many amenities, create a supportive environment for redevelopment. 

“The analysis shows that Downtown housing growth can generate a significant increase in consumer spending in the Downtown area, creating a demand for additional retail and commercial development - that in turn supports the growing, thriving community,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development.  “It helps illustrate that the Downtown Event and Entertainment District is not just about an event centre/arena, or a convention centre, but it is also about making Downtown Saskatoon a place where people live as well as work, an attractive and accessible place with an economic impact that goes far beyond the District’s boundary.” 

The next steps in the Journey to the District include concept plans for the event centre/arena, convention centre and public spaces to be presented to City Council in early 2024, including a report on the draft funding, and the first iteration of the District Plan, which will outline the vision for the greater Downtown area. For more information on the Journey to the District, please visit saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.  

There is a new, earlier timeline for property owners and tax agents who wish to discuss and/or request information regarding 2024 Assessment Values.

“In prior years, property owners and tax agents would need to wait until the start of the new year to confirm their property’s 2024 Assessed Value,” says Bryce Trew, City Assessor. “We’re here to help property owners throughout December, prior to the opening of the City of Saskatoon’s Assessment Roll (a listing of all property assessments in Saskatoon open for public inspection) and the 30-Day Assessment Review and Appeal Period, open January 2 – February 5, 2024.”

Property owners and tax agents may now request the following throughout December 2023:

• Confirmation of your property’s 2024 Assessed Value
• 2024 Property Valuation Cards or Field Sheets
• Explanation of changes if there are any

Please note, the City Assessor’s Office is unable to provide the following in December:

• A copy of your 2024 Assessment Notice (will be available beginning January 2, 2024)
• An estimate of your 2024 Property Taxes (the Provincial Education Budget will not be finalized until April 2024)

Starting January 2, 2024, the City of Saskatoon will only mail new 2024 Assessment Notices to property owners, who since January 1, 2023, had a change to their:

• Assessment from the previous year,
• Tax status, or
• Ownership.

“I encourage property owners to review our informative Guide to 2024 Assessment Notices, it provides additional details on the 30-Day Assessment Review and Appeal Period, how to change your school division tax support, important dates for property owners in 2024 and more,” adds Trew.

Consider discussing assessment-related questions related to your property with an assessor this December - before the opening of the 30-Day Assessment Review and Appeal Period (January 2 – February 5, 2024). Most often, your assessment questions can be resolved, helping you to avoid the need to file a formal assessment appeal with required fees.

Email assessmentsubmit@saskatoon.ca or call 306-975-3227. We’re here to help.

Visit saskatoon.ca/assessment for more information.

The City hosted a ceremony at wâhkôhtowin School to mark the historic installation of the first miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road signs today. John A. Macdonald Road has been renamed miyo (good) wâhkôhtowin (relationship) - pronounced mee-yo wah-KOH-toh-win - as part of the City’s response to the TRC Calls to Action. The renaming of this road recognizes the ongoing harm presented by its former name and a commitment to right past wrongs. John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, played a significant role in the development of Canada’s Indian residential school system.

“This is a pivotal moment in our city’s history,” says City of Saskatoon Mayor, Charlie Clark. “The name miyo-wâhkôhtowin reflects the intention and act of reconciliation, including in the thoughtful and difficult process that brought together members of the community and people who continue to be impacted by residential schools and the legacy of John A. Macdonald. I am proud to live in a city that is committed to this work. The city will also continue to support the residents who live on the road to streamline the steps needed to adapt to this change.” 

Today’s ceremony began with a smudging ceremony that incorporated a miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road sign. During the program, Elder Roland Duquette provided a teaching on the Cree name miyo-wâhkôhtowin, which he said signified a new day of good relationships to bring residents of the community together.  

Attendees at today’s ceremony were invited to witness the installation of one of the first new roads signs at the corner of miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road (formerly John A. Macdonald Road) and Dominion Crescent. Cultural performances were shared by Mii Taant leur Plaas – Saskatoon Public Schools in partnership with Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, and the wâhkôhtowin School Singers.

Significant work took place as part of this renaming process including consultation with Indigenous leaders, Residential School Survivors, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, community residents, youth, and others impacted by residential schools and the legacy of John A. Macdonald. Learn more at saskatoon.ca/engage/renaming.
 

Construction has wrapped up in Weaver Park where crews had been working since February on the City of Saskatoon’s (City) third Flood Control Strategy (FCS) project. The playground has reopened, but the new dry storm pond will remain fenced off until fall 2024 to allow the new sod and trees time to establish.

“During intense summer storms, rainwater would pool and cause significant flooding around Cascade Street, Dufferin Avenue and Bute Street intersections,” says Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “Now, the water will flow through an upgraded storm sewer system and into the new pond. The pond temporarily stores the water which eventually drains back through the underground pipe system and into the South Saskatchewan River. Outside of major rain events, the pond is dry and enjoyed as recreation and green space.”

The FCS was approved by City Council in 2018 and is aimed at reducing flooding in nine of Saskatoon’s most flood prone areas. Dry storm ponds have since been built in W.W. Ashley Park and Churchill Park, and construction on the City’s fourth FCS project will begin in Brevoort Park South in early 2024. 

Prior to the establishment of the FCS, Saskatoon already had nine dry storm ponds, mostly in neighbourhoods built after 1989 when enhanced storm water infrastructure standards were established.  

The Government of Canada is contributing 40% of the eligible construction costs up to a maximum of $21.6 million toward nine FCS projects. The City is funding the remaining construction costs through the Storm Water Utility Capital Program and revenue generated from storm water utility charges.  

For more information about the FCS, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.