Regina council amends Zoning Bylaw to spur housing development

Regina city council has taken a step it hopes will result in a boom in the supply of housing in the city.

Council has approved amendments to the Zoning Bylaw, with the changes to be applied to new housing development applications this spring.

The city said in a release Thursday that the amendments are part of its Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan.

According to the release, the HAF is a federal program designed to promote the development of affordable, inclusive and diverse communities across Canada. Regina applied to the HAF last June with an action plan calling for the creation of 1,100 new housing units by the end of 2026.

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In November, council directed administration to look into amending the bylaw so more housing could be developed. The amendments just approved by council are the first phase of that work, the city said, with more phases to be put forward this year.

“Increasing Regina’s housing supply to align with our growth is critical,” Mayor Sandra Masters said in the release. “Through these bylaw amendments, we are encouraging higher-density developments and creating more opportunities for diverse housing options.”

The release noted the changes to the Zoning Bylaw will allow more housing units to be built in neighbourhoods, increase permitted building heights on mid- and high-density sites, and remove parking minimums across the city.

“The City of Regina remains committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community and this is reflected in these changes, ensuring our neighbourhoods evolve to meet the needs of people moving to our city and those who want to stay here,” the release said.