Discretionary Use Proposal 

Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI) has submitted a Discretionary Use application requesting approval to develop Special Needs Housing at 412 Avenue P South in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood.   

The proposed development consists of a three story building with up to 30 dwelling units for Indigenous and Métis Elders and will be operated by CUMFI.  27 parking spaces would be provided on site which meets the parking requirements as outlined in the Zoning Bylaw. The site will be landscaped in conformance with the requirements under the Zoning Bylaw.

This site is zoned M2 – Community Institutional Service District under The City of Saskatoon Zoning Bylaw. The purpose of the M2 District is to facilitate a moderate range of institutional and community activities, as well as medium density residential uses, that are generally compatible with residential land uses, and capable of being located in a neighbourhood setting subject to appropriate site selection. Special Needs Housing is considered a Discretionary Use in the M2 District. 

Location Map

Provide Feedback

Questions and comments on this proposal are invited at this time by contacting

Tanner Halonen, Planner
tanner.halonen@saskatoon.ca 
306-986-3699

Appropriate alternatives to public information meetings are being evaluated in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the response to this proposal, next steps in the engagement process will be determined. 

Renderings & Site Plan

What is a Discretionary Use? 

All property in the City of Saskatoon is assigned a zoning designation.  Within each zoning designation, specific land uses are either permitted, prohibited, or discretionary.  A Discretionary Use is a land use that is generally consistent with the permitted uses in a zoning district.  As per Section 4.7.2(1) of the Zoning Bylaw, a Discretionary Use may be allowed either at the discretion of City Council or City Administration.  Either approving authority can approve, approve with conditions, or deny a Discretionary Use application.  Approval for Special Needs Housing in the M2 District is delegated to City Administration.

The Planning and Development Division evaluates Discretionary Use applications on a case-by-case basis considering the site itself, as well the surrounding context including nearby land uses.

A Discretionary Use approval is applied to a specific site, not the applicant.  Any change in size or intensity of the use approved would require a new Discretionary Use application.

What is Special Needs Housing? 

The Zoning Bylaw defines a Special Needs Housing as "multiple unit dwellings or dwelling groups operated by a non-profit corporation or public authority and used exclusively for the domestic habitation of senior citizens, disabled persons, occupants of subsidized housing, or the cohabitant spouse and children of persons noted above.”

Process

When a Discretionary Use application is received by the Planning and Development Division, it is circulated to internal Civic Departments to identify conformance or conflict with the Official Community Plan, the Zoning Bylaw, and any other applicable policies and regulations.  Departments that review the application include Planning and Development, Transportation & Construction, Environment & Utilities, Fire & Protective Services, and Building Standards.

Once the application has been reviewed by internal Civic Departments, public consultation on the application is undertaken.  Registered property owners typically within 75 to 150 metres of the subject site and the Ward Councillor are notified of the proposed Discretionary Use application as per the City’s Public Notice Policy.  When considered necessary, a public information meeting may be held to provide information to area residents on the Discretionary Use application, answer questions, and receive feedback.

Information collected from the internal review and public consultation processes will be considered by City Administration.  The application may then be approved, approved with conditions, or denied.