Fifth Avenue Estates moving forward

A major housing project will proceed as Yorkton Council gave it the green light by unanimous vote at its regular meeting Monday.

The City's Planning and Engineering Department had been in receipt of a Discretionary Use application for a Planned Unit Development, consisting of 38, two-storey, single-detached dwellings at 164 Fifth Avenue South.

The subject property is zoned R-3 Medium Density Residential. As a result the proposed development was considered under the Planned Unit Development provisions of the Zoning Bylaw as all buildings are to be constructed on a single parcel of land sharing access, parking and amenity.

Subject to public notification requirements, which were met following the Aug. 24 meeting of Council, Council's approval was required in order for Administration to issue a Development Permit.

The bareland condominium ownership will mean that a condominium association will be responsible for maintenance of the internal private road and parking area.

The developer has maintained that the priority of the project is to provide a lower-cost housing alternative that is competitive in Yorkton's housing market. Although the density of the proposed development is greater than what would typically be permitted in the Zoning Bylaw, Administration was of the opinion that proper design elements have been incorporated with the bareland condominium division of land. This will help to provide a qualitative and enduring housing development that can provide both short-term and long-term benefits to the City, detailed the report circulated to Council in August.

Fifth Avenue Estate developer Doug Rogers told Council Monday "we're excited about this development." He said the housing is something they felt "might be missing from the Yorkton market."

The condos will be sold so the owner actually owns the lot as well as home, and are coming in at under $225,000 plus GST.

Rogers said they had hoped the homes would qualify under the provincial Head Start Program, but only one project per developer can receive program support and they have a development in Weyburn already approved. He said they are hoping to have the government change that rule, and encouraged the City to send a letter of support for that effort.

Councillor Les Arnelien questioned if building would occur right away, or whether there was a need for pre-sales.

"We'll probably start six," said Rogers, adding they would like for sales first. " We're confident we'll get something going this fall." He did add the caveat that was premised on being able to access tradespeople, in particular those to put in water and sewer lines.