University Sector Plan gets green light at council public hearing

A new development, 10 years in the making, has the unanimous approval of Saskatoon city council.

The University Sector Plan — part of the University of Saskatchewan’s “Vision 2057 Plan” — will see more than 57,000 new residents on endowment lands over the next several decades, along with more transit, services and infrastructure to support it all.

At Monday’s public hearing, planning director Leslie Anderson outlined the new plan — basically a high-level framework on how development is likely to proceed.

“It’s a crucial first step in the planning process to fulfil the city’s future growth,” she said during her presentation.

The plan includes around 2,000 acres of land, which the U of S will continue to primarily own even as development begins. About 1,000 acres of that land has the potential for future development.

According to information from administration: “The University Sector is bounded by the South Saskatchewan River to the west, the northeast swale and future development lands within the University Heights Sector to the north, College Drive and 14th Street East to the south, and the existing neighbourhoods of College Park, Sutherland and Silverspring to the east.”

There is expected to be a mix of density levels and a variety of land uses, said Anderson.

“The average density levels for the University Sector is 30 units per acre, which is higher than typical neighborhoods in the city,” she explained.

Other areas with density that high include the College Drive corridor where grad residences are located.

There are also 138 hectares of land east of Preston Avenue between College Drive and Preston Crossing that have been identified as core agricultural land, and will remain as is. Other sensitive areas along the South Saskatchewan River have also been flagged for protection or preservation.

Greg Fowler, the university’s vice president of finances and resources, told council that for residents concerned about agricultural land preservation outside of the one parcel, there are other areas of land set aside.

“As we were developing ‘Vision 2057,’ in the future here we have moved forward with acquiring research lands outside of the city … We’ve been planning for at least the last decade. So we are purchasing 16 quarters of land in Clavet to ensure our research would continue,” he explained.

Former mayoral candidate Cary Tarasoff also made a presentation to council about his concern that there isn’t a great enough buffer between both the planned University sector, the University Heights sector, and two chemical plants located on the city’s north side.

Two chemical plants operate on Saskatoon’s north side, which store and handle hazardous materials.

The information was received by council.

Anderson said the first area up for development is along the College Avenue corridor.

“(Then we’d be) completing that area down to 14th and then down to Preston. So the university will be preparing a concept plan for that area and I don’t believe that they have an exact time anticipated for that,” she said.

Each area that is planned for development will need background studies, local engagement and ultimately presentation to council for approval.

The University Sector Plan was passed unanimously with an amendment to try and achieve a high level of integration with surrounding neighborhoods.

More information on the University Sector Plan can be found here.