Arbutus (the applicant) has applied for an Official Community Plan (OCP) Map Amendment, a Concept Plan Map Amendment, and rezoning to accommodate the development of Rosewood Phases 11 – 14. Please see below for an application summary and the additional tabs for further details. 

1. Official Community Plan Map Amendment

A proposed Official Community Plan map amendment to change the land use from Neighbourhood Node land use to Residential land use.

2. Concept Plan Map Amendment

A proposed Concept Plan map amendment from to change the land use from Mixed Use and Commercial land uses to Multi-Family and Multi-Family (Medium Density) Residential land uses.

3. Rezoning 

A proposed rezoning proposal to change the zoning from FUD - Future Urban Development District and B2 - District Commercial District to RMTN1 - Medium Density Townhouse Residential District 1 and RM4 - Medium/High Density Multiple-Unit Dwelling District.

OCP Map Amendment – from Neighbourhood Node to Residential

All property in the City of Saskatoon is assigned a land use designation under the City of Saskatoon’s Official Community Plan, Bylaw No. 9700. Land use designations establish the general use and character of a site or area to help ensure that development takes place in an orderly, rational manner. Each land use designation is distinct in its purpose and density/intensity of use.

The applicant has applied to amend to OCP land use designation from “Neighbourhood Node” to “Residential”. Land designated as “Neighbourhood Node” has the potential for a mix of low density residential, commercial, institutional, and community uses that are compatible within a neighbourhood setting. Neighbourhood Nodes serve the basic needs of the surrounding one to three neighbourhoods, providing a focal point of commercial development. These are to be walkable, pedestrian-friendly sites typically located near major intersections and served by collector streets.  Land designated as “Residential” has the potential for residential development and community uses compatible within a neighbourhood setting.

Rosewood Concept Plan Amendment – from Mixed Use and Commercial to Multi-Family and Multi-Family (Medium Density) Residential

The applicant is proposing to amend the Rosewood Concept Plan land use map for these sites from Mixed Use and Commercial to Multi Family Residential and Medium Density Multi Family Residential.

Proposed Rezoning – from FUD and B2 to RMTN1 and RM4

The subject sites are currently undeveloped and zoned FUD – Future Urban Development District and B2 – District Commercial District. The applicant is proposing to rezone these a mixture of RMTN1 – Medium Density Townhouse Residential District 1 and RM4 – Medium/High Density Multiple-Unit Dwelling District. 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. The purpose of the RM4 District is to provide for a variety of residential developments in a medium to high density form as well as related community uses.

What is a Rezoning?

All property in the City of Saskatoon is assigned a zoning designation under the Zoning Bylaw No. 8770, 2009. 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 the conclusion of the process.

Rezoning applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis where both the subject site 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. 

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.