City of Regina holding open houses on infill development

What kind of home should be built on a lot in an established neighbourhood, if the land is empty or an existing home is torn down? Officials in Regina are interested in hearing opinions on infill housing at a series of public meetings.

Infill housing can breathe new life into a neighbourhood, but it can also generate controversy.

In Regina's Lakeview area, for example, some people have expressed concern about the size of new buildings.

Bigger homes relative to others stick out, according to resident Bill Hyde.

"I've had I don't know how many people, when I'm working in my front yard, stop look at [the infill home] and come to me and said 'What's that doing here?' I mean I don't have an answer."

The public meetings are meant to get some ideas on infill development.

"One thing with infill, it is about being sensitive to your surroundings and that's one of things we want feedback on," Diana Hawryluk, from the city, said. "To hear from the public. In terms of where have they seen things done right. What's the sort of thing do they not want to see."

In some areas there have been positive results.

Ken Morrow said he was worried his neighbourhood, where he has lived for 60 years, would lose its character with new builds. He said they have turned out well.

"The newness of the neighbourhood [is good]," Morrow said. "And [they have] improved the quality of the neighbourhood."

Two open houses are set:

• Monday, June 8: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. CST at Knox-Metropolitan United Church.
• Tuesday, June 23: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. CST also at Knox-Met.

At Monday's meeting, people discussed a number of issues, including the size of new homes and how to preserve trees.

The open house also considered questions about laneway suites.

One of the architects providing advice to the city said Regina is a great location for infill and laneway housing.

"There's certainly the capacity because the size of the lots are big to add some larger houses or maybe have a secondary suite," Calvin Brook said Monday night.

According to information on the website for the city's Design Regina: The Official Community Plandocument, infill development refers to future growth taking place within existing urban areas.

• EXTERNAL LINK: Design Regina

The document states that the aim is to have infill represent30 per cent of the city's future growth, as opposed a system of looking at infillprojects on a case-by-case basis. This goal is to have sustainable growth and reduce urban sprawl.

In April 2015, the city enlisted the help of a multi-disciplinary team to help form guidelines and has also committed to thispublic consultation process.

The provincial government approved Design Regina andcity council adopted theplan in 2013.

Extensive debate took place in Saskatoon over that city's infill rules, which were passed in March.