** May 2022 Update **
This rezoning application will be considered by the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) at their May 31, 2022 meeting.  The report that will be considered by MPC can be viewed on its meeting agenda (Item 7.1).

Proposal
YWCA Saskatoon has applied to the City of Saskatoon to amend the existing Zoning Agreement for 510 25^th Street East, location of the existing YWCA and Community Service Village facilities. The purpose of the application is to allow for the construction of a building addition containing up to 18 supportive dwelling units operated by the YWCA, as well as related interior amenity space (programming and play area).  The building addition is proposed to be constructed as two floors located above the YWCA’s existing parking lot on the east side of the property (between the existing building and Kinsmen Avenue).  See proposed plans on the Site Plan & Drawings tab.

Existing Zoning Agreement
The subject property is currently zoned M3 – General Institutional Service District, subject to a Zoning Agreement.  A Zoning Agreement is a legal agreement that establishes site-specific regulations for how a property may be developed and used.  See the Background tab for further information on Zoning Agreements.

The existing Zoning Agreement provides for a range of office, institutional, recreational, and community uses at this location, as well as limited provision for residential uses (boarding apartment and hostel units).  The Zoning Agreement also contains development standards for the site concerning building setbacks, maximum building height, gross floor area, and parking.

Requested Amendments
In order to allow for the construction of the proposed building addition, amendments to the existing Zoning Agreement for the property are required.  This includes adding 18 supportive dwelling units as a permitted use on the property, as well as other adjustments to allow for the building addition in the location proposed.

No changes to the maximum building height for the property (15 metres) or to the minimum number of parking spaces to be provided on-site (90 spaces) are proposed.

Description of Proposal by YWCA
“The YWCA Saskatoon expansion’s purpose is to serve marginalized women and children. The 2-story expansion is comprised of 18 supportive housing units for women and children fleeing trauma, violence or homelessness. The expansion will be staffed 24/7 and will provide inclusive wrap-around supports for clients. The unique modular construction allows for a shorter construction timeline and will allow the current surface parking to remain unchanged.” 

What is a Rezoning?
All property in the City of Saskatoon is assigned a zoning designation under the Zoning Bylaw No. 8770.  Within each zoning designation, specific land uses are either permitted, discretionary, or prohibited. 

Applications to change the zoning designation of a property (including requests to amend an existing Zoning Agreement) may be considered through a rezoning process.  The rezoning process 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 conclusion of the process.

What is a Zoning Agreement
In some instances, a regulatory tool called a Zoning Agreement may be used when a specific development is proposed as part of a rezoning application.  A Zoning Agreement is a binding legal agreement that, if approved by City Council, is tied to the land and ensures that only the specific development proposal put forward by the applicant can be constructed on the property.  It may specify permitted uses of the land and standards respecting building form, scale, and site layout, among other considerations.  A Zoning Agreement cannot be amended or removed from the property without going through a subsequent rezoning process, including public engagement and a decision by City Council.

As mentioned, a Zoning Agreement is already in place for this property.  This application proposes to amend the existing Zoning Agreement.

What is the Typical Process for a Rezoning Application?

When a rezoning 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.  It 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 within approximately 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 comment.  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 a rezoning rests with City Council who consider 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.