Council to debate Nutana condo proposal

Coun. Hill seeks a reward system to encourage reporting of illegal dumping

As collisions go, this one promises to be a doozy: City hall’s desire for more infill will meet head-on with residents opposed to a proposed condominium tower in the Nutana neighbourhood.

Saskatoon city council will consider two of the most controversial projects in recent memory — one an infill plan by a private developer, the other an experiment with bike lanes — at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Here’s what’s on the agenda.

CONDO VERSUS NO-GO

There appears to be considerable opposition to a proposal to build a seven-storey condo building with 45 units in the Nutana neighbourhood, which could make Monday night’s public hearing meeting long and lively.

A petition against the proposed development at University Drive and 13th Street includes more than 150 signatures, many from those who live nearby. The petition is included in the agenda for Monday’s meeting, as are 10 letters in opposition.

Also included are 33 form letters supporting the project and another 16 letters written in favour.

Council will consider accommodating the project by Meridian Development Corp. through changing the zoning for the property and allowing an exception to the Nutana community plan.

The tower would be built on the site of the Faith Alive Family Church.

The project was endorsed, though not unanimously, last month by the city’s municipal planning commission.

The project’s opponents say the condo building contrasts too sharply with the older neighbourhood’s character and will create traffic and other issues.

Meridian has countered that the company has spent much time consulting with the neighbourhood and altered its original plans for a 10-storey tower after speaking with residents. The tower would be about the same height as the existing church’s steeple.

The City of Saskatoon has adopted a goal to increase the amount of infill development to 25 per cent from the current 15 per cent by 2023. The condo tower will provide a serious test of city council’s commitment to that goal.

BIKE LANE REFRAIN

The debate over the downtown bike lanes pilot project continues Monday during city council’s afternoon meeting.

Council seems likely to endorse leaving the bike lanes in place until a more comprehensive plan can be developed for a downtown bike lane network. That plan is expected from city administration in June.

The alternative would be for council to reject city administration’s proposal and possibly seek an earlier removal. A city report says the earliest the lanes can be removed is in the spring at a cost of $37,000.

Leaving the lanes in place is expected to cost about $80,000 in maintenance and snow removal.

The lanes were introduced as a pilot project in 2015 with bike lanes located next to the curb and temporary posts installed on 23rd Street. Perpendicular protected bike lanes were installed on Fourth Avenue a year later.

The lanes on Fourth proved to be confusing and contentious and featured prominently in the 2016 civic election.

Four city councillors and Mayor Charlie Clark backed leaving the lanes until June at council’s transportation committee this month. Provided all five attend Monday’s meeting and do not change their minds, only one more vote in favour would be needed.

Coun. Randy Donauer voted against the lanes at committee and Coun. Troy Davies has said he will also cast a vote against.

PHONING IT IN

Coun. Darren Hill looks to be one of the key players at Monday’s city council meetings, even though he does not plan to attend.

Hill has asked to take part in the meetings by teleconference and plans to ask city administration for three intriguing studies.

Hill wants city hall to look into a more robust consultation process for the installation of infrastructure by Saskatoon Light & Power. This follows opposition to 24-metre (75-foot) poles installed this fall at the intersection of Queen Street and Spadina Crescent.

Hill will also ask city administration to explore a system to encourage people to report illegal dumping that would involve rewards. The cost of the reward would be built into higher fines for those caught dumping garbage illegally. Illegal dumping has been raised as a concern as the city considers moving to a user-fee system for trash collection.

City hall is also being asked by Hill to report on provincial legislation on construction and demolition to see if tighter rules could be proposed. Some residents complained this fall about a house left partly demolished in the Mayfair neighbourhood Hill. The demolition site included warnings about asbestos.