New housing development moving ahead

A major housing project will proceed to the Public Notice process following a unanimous decision of Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday.

The City's Planning and Engineering Department is 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, explained a report circulated to Council.

The subject property is zoned R-3 Medium Density Residential. The proposed development is to be 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, Council approval is 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, which would include snow removal," said City Planner Michael Eger.

Throughout the application process, the Applicant/Owner has made some adjustments to help offset the negative appeal of a more tightly clustered housing development, detailed the report.

"A majority of the mature trees on the site will be preserved by shortening the lots, shifting the northerly row of lots to the south, and narrowing the roadway," said Eger.

The narrowed roadway provides one-way traffic (entering from Fifth Avenue South) with angled parking and four landscaped islands.

"This design will help to calm traffic and reduce the impact of the roadway on residents within the subject development and the surrounding lands," said Eger.

Eger also noted, "Council has previously approved cost-sharing for the paving of Cameron Street, with the Applicant/Owner responsible for half of the cost."

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 is 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.