Unique project seeks green light

Developer wants fast-tracking of ‘special’ Corman Park community

The developers behind a proposed innovative community northeast of Saskatoon think it’s so important that its approval should be sped up by the rural municipality (RM) of Corman Park.

But Corman Park Reeve Judy Harwood says the unique nature of the $600-million Buffalo Ranch proposal means it’s essential for all due diligence to be taken.

The development team, led by B.C. architect Gary Marvin, appeared in front of the Corman Park Saskatoon district planning commission on Wednesday to promote the 2,000-unit residential project.

The community would feature underground roads and parking, localized sewer and water systems and well-insulated, airtight homes that would only need 10 per cent of the energy of a standard home. What little power is needed would be supplied by renewable resources like solar and wind, making the neighbourhood environmentally sustainable.

“What we are requesting from the municipal entities is that they assist us to expedite this as quickly as possible and allocate it as a special project because of what we’re trying to demonstrate to the development world,” Marvin said in an interview Wednesday.

“We feel very strongly that this is the future and we’re doing this for future generations.”

The developers hope to start the first three phases of the project in the spring, provided rezoning is approved by the RM.

Harwood stressed that even though Corman Park council approved the proposal in principle in April, the development still has to face the same scrutiny as any other plan.

She pointed out the community, which would be located near Penner Road just west of the South Saskatchewan River, would also be a neighbour to Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

Wanuskewin is aiming to become the province’s first United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage site.

“Everyone that comes into Corman Park wants everything done quickly, but I will assure you that our staff are very capable and they do everything in a timely manner,” Harwood said in an interview.

The first phases of the project would include both single-family and multi-unit dwellings. A 1,500-square-foot single-family home would cost about $450,000 and a 1,200-sq.-ft. apartment would cost about $360,000.

Marvin said utility costs, for example, would be about one-tenth of the cost for a standard home.

With no roads above ground, emergency vehicles would be accommodated with swaths on the surface that would be cleared of snow in the winter, Marvin told the commission. Buses would travel on a central loop through the community.

Storm water would drain into artificial ponds that would be surrounded by homes, Marvin told the meeting.

One of the keys to the project is localized water and sewer, rather than spending tens of millions of dollars to expand a centralized system with kilometres of new pipes, Marvin said after the meeting.

“That is the old way of doing things and it’s very cost inefficient. It’s irresponsible for cities to continue in this manner.”

While Harwood described the concept as intriguing, she said it will require a change in thinking to gain acceptance.

“I think it’s going to be a mindset change in how people run their day-to-day lives,” she said. “Let’s be honest, wood basements and wood underground parking is something that’s also new to certainly Corman Park, and probably to the province.”