Council set to vote on renewable diesel facility land, fire master plan

The future of battling fires, where pot shops can be and whether the city sells a big chunk of land to Federated Co-op Limited (FCL) for a new $2-billion facility are some of what’s on Regina council’s plate Wednesday.

A fire master plan could get approved. It guides policies for the department over the next 25 years.

Part of the plan includes five new fire stations over that time, to go along with the seven stations the city currently uses. One fire station is also planned on being moved in the future and the plan indicates the first new fire station could be built within five years, serving the Greens on Gardiner area.

Council could sign off on selling 222 hectares of land to FCL for $5.48 million for a new renewable diesel plant. That facility could create upwards of 1,900 jobs total, most of the positions would be during the construction phase while 150 positions would be permanent.

Pot shops are also being looked at, specifically where they can go in the city. Council will consider whether to allow them in 13 zones, up from the current six. Minimum separation distances between pot stores as well as between pot stores and sensitive land uses could go from 182 metres down to 60 metres.

The Regina police budget was originally set to be discussed. However, that is now set to be tabled over to overall city budget discussions on Dec. 15. The police budget proposes a four per cent increase next year.