Proposal

Saskatoon Land (the applicant) has made an application to Planning and Development proposing to rezone select land within Aspen Ridge to accommodate the next phase of development.

Currently, these sites are undeveloped and zoned FUD – Future Urban Development District. The applicant is proposing to rezone these blocks to a mixture of: 

•    R1A – One-Unit Residential District, 
•    RMTN1 – Medium Density Townhouse Residential District 1,
•    RM3 – Medium Density Multiple-Unit Dwelling District; and,
•    FUD(H) – Future Urban Development District subject to the Holding Symbol.

The proposal would facilitate the development of a neighbourhood park, potential school site, and medium-density residential development.

The proposed rezoning is in alignment with the approved Neighbourhood Concept Plan for Aspen Ridge (see Related Pages). The Concept Plan land uses for the sites associated with this application are Municipal Reserve (R1A), Low/Medium Density Multi-Unit (RMTN1), and Potential School Sites (RM3). 

What is a Rezoning?

All property in the City of Saskatoon is assigned a zoning designation under the Zoning Bylaw No. 8770. Specific land uses are permitted, prohibited, or discretionary within each zoning designation.

Applications to change the zoning designation of a property may be considered through a rezoning process, which 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.

Rezoning applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis where both the subject site(s) and the surrounding neighbourhood are considered in the review.

What is the Typical Process for an Amendment Application?

When an amendment 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.  The application 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, typically within 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 comments.  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. Rezoning applications in neighbourhoods that are in alignment with the approved Neighbourhood Concept Plan do not require consideration by the Municipal Planning Commission, and are forwarded directly to Council for decision during a Public Hearing. 

The final decision to approve or deny an amendment application rests with City Council which considers 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.

Council approved the Aspen Ridge Rezoning application at Public Hearing on January 31, 2024.