Saskatoon council pushes higher density despite ‘confusing’ process

A senior Saskatoon city planner has a blunt assessment on the rezoning needed to achieve greater density along transit corridors.

Pamela Brotzel responded to questions from Coun. Robert Pearce at Wednesday’s city council public hearing meeting, where anyone who wants to speak on an issue on the agenda can show up and offer their take.

“I must say that a lot of people, they don’t understand the rezoning process and it can be kind of confusing,” Brotzel replied. “Even coming here today can be kind of confusing for people.”

Pearce questioned whether people understand the public hearings offer them an opportunity to voice concerns.

Brotzel said the city received 15 replies from people with comments about rezoning the 13 properties. The owners of properties within 150 metres of the 13 properties were notified in the summer about Wednesday’s hearing.

Nine of the properties feature single-family detached homes that could be converted to buildings as tall as four storeys to help the city achieve its density goals. City hall changed its zoning rules two years ago to receive $41.3 million from the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund.

One of the key changes involved changing the type of developments allowed along and near transit corridors to help increase density.

Pearce wondered whether residents understand all of these changes and the potential impact on their neighbourhoods.

“I can’t help but think that there’s some pretty significant gaps there,” Pearce said of city hall communication, “and people being informed on what their rights are and how they can respond.”

Despite Pearce’s misgivings, council unanimously approved the zoning changes for the 13 properties.

Four properties are located on Dufferin Avenue, three on College Drive, two on Idylwyld Drive North, two on Main Street and one each on Cumberland Avenue North and Preston Avenue South.

Only Bronwyn Eyre, who was the MLA for the former riding of Saskatoon Stonebridge-Dakota from 2016 to 2024, appeared at the hearing to voice concerns about the plan. She criticized the notion of turning Preston Avenue South into a transit corridor and allowing development that could “uglify” the residential character of the neighbourhood.

One of the properties that was rezoned Wednesday is located at 2414 Preston Ave. S. Brotzel acknowledged concerns have been raised about potential changes at that property.

“Have you driven down Preston in rush hour?” Eyre asked. “It is back to back.”