This application was approved by City Council at their meeting on December 21, 2020 (link to minutes).
Saskatoon Land has applied to amend the Kensington Neighbourhood Concept Plan to accommodate a local road connection to provide improved access and connectivity between the north and south areas of Kensington and to the Core Park. The location of the proposed local road is currently a greenspace connection linking Nightingale Close to Bentley Place.
A Neighbourhood Concept Plan (NCP) is a neighbourhood-level land use plan that guides the development of a new neighbourhood in Saskatoon. It outlines the land uses, densities, transportation network, parks system, and community facilities intended for a neighbourhood as it grows.
A NCP is reviewed by City Administration and other relevant agencies to ensure that all relevant standards, policies, bylaws and requirements are met. The review process includes community engagement with neighbouring residents, affected landowners and community groups in order to obtain feedback that shapes the final plan. A NCP must be approved by a resolution of City Council following its review process.
As a new neighbourhood is built out, circumstances often necessitate amendments to a NCP. Proposed amendments are vetted through a review and community engagement process prior to being considered by City Council for a decision. NCP amendment applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis where both the subject area and the surrounding neighbourhood are considered in the review.
When an application to amend a NCP is received by Planning and Development, it is reviewed for conformance 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, typically within 75-150 metres of the subject site, the Community Association, and the Ward Councillor are notified of the NCP amendment 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 to approve or deny the NCP amendment 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 NCP amendment application 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 in person, regarding the NCP amendment application at the Public Hearing.
