The City of Yorkton is moving forward with entering into a new planning district agreement.
“As part of the Province’s Planning for Growth initiative, members of the current Yorkton Planning District (City of Yorkton, RM of Orkney, RM of Wallace, and York Lake Regional Park Authority) received grant funding to update and replace our regional planning documents. After a series of delays, a consultant agreed to provide each of the RM’s with a new Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw, and to provide a new Planning District Agreement and District Plan for all participating members,” explained material circulated to the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
“The new documents were developed from best practices, thorough member consultation, public input, and intensive administrative review. Before each of the RM’s Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw can be approved by the Province, all four members of the Planning District must adopt the new, contemporary Planning District Agreement and District Plan.”
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Municipal Affairs provided some additional background on the reasons for the districts.
“Municipal responsibility to create vibrant, healthy, well serviced communities is challenging. Some municipalities may not have resources and access to professional advice to manage and facilitate new development opportunities on their own,” detailed a document circulated at Council Monday.
“A Planning District can provide the forum to connect with our neighbours and build on regional strengths. Planning Districts can serve urban and rural neighbours or groups of communities to guide the development process by identifying solutions to problems, providing advice and services, becoming a catalyst for development, or leveraging funding for joint infrastructure projects …
“Planning Districts are a tool for managing the growth of a region using inter-municipal communication, collaboration, capacity building and dispute resolution. By utilizing the strengths of the region, a Planning District can improve the quality of service to its residents.”
City Administration recommended “the Planning District Agreement, which formally establishes the Yorkton Regional Planning District, be approved.”
Council was unanimous is supporting the recommendation.
Once approved by City Council, and by each of the RM Councils and the Board of the York Lake Regional Park, Administration intends to seek City Council approval of a 30 day public notification for the District Plan. After the notification period, the District Plan will be returned to City Council for approval.
The Planning District documents must be approved by all members before they can ultimately be considered for final approval by the Ministry of Government Relations.
