Mayor says he has no power to stop Willow proposals
A Saskatchewan Party politician wants Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark to put the brakes on a controversial neighbourhood planning process in The Willows, but Clark says that is not something he can do.
Stonebridge–dakota MLA Bronwyn Eyre made the request in a Jan. 25 letter to Clark, in which she described hearing from “a substantial number” of people opposed to Dream Development's proposed changes to the golf course community's second phase of development.
Eyre wrote that she shares residents' concerns about a proposed spa and hotel, increased housing density, a “hurried process and a perceived, utter lack of consultation” about the changes being proposed.
“On behalf of my constituents, I am requesting that you and the City of Saskatoon ask Dream Developments to withdraw its current plan and to hold full and transparent consultations with residents of the Willows before another plan is submitted in the future,” Eyre wrote.
Clark said in a statement that he replied to Eyre with information about the city's role in development review, and where Dream's application to amend the concept plan is in that process.
“It is not the role of the mayor, city council or city administration to withdraw development applications; the city's role is to facilitate the processes that are outlined in our bylaws and policies for review and public consultation,” he said. “This is what is underway now.” According to city hall, such applications are reviewed internally by city staff for compliance with various policies and then move to the public engagement phase.
The first public meeting was held using an online platform on Jan. 26. Once consultations are complete, the application will be considered by the municipal planning commission and then city council at a public hearing.
Eyre, who is a cabinet minister, penned the letter on Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly stationery and signed it as the MLA for Stonebridge–dakota, which encompasses The Willows.
Neither she nor Clark were available for interviews on Thursday.
Dream is applying to change the 18-year-old concept plan for the second phase of construction to accommodate about 1,000 more people, city-serviced lots rather than condos, and a Nordic-style hotel and spa.
The developer contends the game and business of golf has changed, leading to “challenging ” years, and the amendments will bring more amenities for residents while keeping the community economically sustainable over the long term.
Dream's plan has upset many people living in The Willows, who argue the proposed changes do not reflect what they were led to believe would be built, and will change the nature of the community.
Not every resident is upset, however. Monique Simair, who said she has lived in The Willows for about three years, acknowledged the changes but said without them the golf course and other amenities could disappear.
While the proposed hotel will lead to more traffic and it would be nice to keep the neighbourhood as the “NIMBYS” would prefer, the hotel and spa will be a positive and could lead to even more amenities, she said.