The Yorkton area is planning for the future, and people had the opportunity to see the district plan for the area. The plan encompasses the City of Yorkton, the RMs of Orkney and Wallace, and York Lake Regional Park.
Tim Cheesman, Planning Consultant, says that the goal of the event was to get public input into the direction the area is going, especially in terms of growth and sustainability in the region. The event had an ample turnout, and Cheesman says that this is what they wanted to see, because above all it's the people of the region who are affected by this plan and the proposals put forward.
"We want people's input, that's the whole idea... It's not the municipality's plan, it's not the engineers and planner's plan, it's the people's plan."
One of the primary issues surrounding growth in the region involves water. Cheesman says that it's clear that drainage continues to be an issue in the region, but there's also a water shortage, as the area depends on an aquifer that is near the surface.
"Once you see the big picture, you realize how big it is and how sensitive of an area we have to deal with... So what is safe for buildings? Both municipalities have dealt with that, they want to have a balance but still have opportunities to develop acreages out there, at the same time the city wants to develop higher intensity uses."
The cost of development is another primary issue that is covered by the plan, in particular how development will actually get paid for, especially given the pressure on municipalities in terms of funding and infrastructure.
"The rate payers expect the new development to stand on its own, be environmentally sound and be sustainable, and meet the market needs."
One of the big concerns of people at the event has been how the York Lake Regional Park plays into the overall plan. Concerns have been raised about the access and maintenance of the park, which is a separate entity but still part of the region as a whole, and much of the discussion involved what role the park would play in the region overall.
The district plan is the result of a joint effort between the RMs, the city, and the regional park. While the relationship between city and the RMs has been contentious in the past, Cheesman says that the everyone involved sees that a joint plan is necessary in order to give the best plan for the people in the area. He notes that there is an understanding now about how different properties are better suited to different areas, such as some agricultural development making sense in the RMs but more resource-intensive projects needing the resources of the city to supply them.
"They haven't always worked together, but they have now. They've realized it's the only effective way to give guidance to both their citizens and developers."
Public input is a priority in the process, and those who would like to know more about the regional plan and have input can contact Cheesman at [email protected].
