Discretionary Use Proposal 

National Affordable Housing Corporation (NAHC) has submitted a Discretionary Use application requesting approval to develop 10-units of special needs housing at the site adjacent to Fehergyhazi Boulevard and Fast Crescent.   

The site is currently vacant and the applicant is proposing a dwelling group of five multiple-unit buildings containing a total of 56 rental housing units. The Zoning Bylaw regulations require 81 onsite parking spaces and 82 have been provided. A dwelling group is a permitted use in the RMTN1 District.

Discretionary use approval is required for the 10-unit building dedicated to special needs housing located at the south corner of the property. The building will be three levels and contain five two bedroom suites and five three bedroom suites.  

This site is zoned zoned RMTN1 – Medium Density Townhouse Residential District 1 under The City of Saskatoon Zoning Bylaw. The purpose of the RMTN1 District is to provide for comprehensively planned medium density multiple-unit dwellings in the form of townhouses, dwelling groups, and other building forms, as well as related community uses. Special needs housing is considered a Discretionary Use in the RMTN1 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

Renderings:

Site Plan:

Landscaping 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 RMTN1 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.

Decision 

City Administration approved the Discretionary Use Application submitted by the National Affordable Housing Corporation to develop 10 units of Special Needs Housing located in “Building 1” as shown on the site plan, subject to the following requirements:

1.  That the applicant obtain all relevant permits and licenses (such as a Building and Development Permit and Plumbing Permit).

2.  That the plans submitted for the Building and Development Permit Application be substantially in accordance with the final plans submitted in support of the Discretionary Use Application.