In a February 1, 2024 news release, Regina City Council announced that they have approved amendments to the Zoning Bylaw. They presented this decision as “taking a major step towards making more housing available across the city.” They are making these changes as part of a new housing development proposal sponsored by the Federal Governement of Canada under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Action Plan.
This is a federal government initiative whose goal is to increase “the housing supply across Canada and promoting the development of affordable, inclusive and diverse communities.” We learned that, in June 2023, the City of Regina make a proposal to the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) with an Action Plan to approve 1,100 additional housing units by the end of 2026.
The City Council is now making these changes to the Zoning Bylaw changes in order to:
- allow more housing units to be built in neighbourhoods,
- increase permitted building heights on mid and high-density sites,
- remove parking minimums citywide
- allow more housing to be developed to meet the needs of current and future residents, and
- ensure that Regina’s growing population has access to existing community amenities and services.
Mayor Sandra Masters emphasized the critical nature of aligning Regina's housing supply with its growth trajectory. She was quoted in the news release as saying that “Through these bylaw amendments, we are encouraging higher density developments and creating more opportunities for diverse housing options.”
The news release suggest that these changes underscore the City of Regina's unwavering commitment to nurturing a lively and inclusive community. They reflect an earnest endeavor to ensure that neighborhoods adapt to meet the needs of newcomers and long-term residents alike.
However, even though the public communication about the project lacks important details such as the exact sections of the Zoning Bylaw that are being amended, specific areas of the City that will be affected, etc., some residents have expressed concerns that:
- In prioritizing housing availability, the amendments may inadvertently exacerbate existing urban challenges and social disparities. While proponents argue that increasing density and removing parking minimums will facilitate more accessible housing options, there are significant concerns regarding the potential negative consequences of these changes.
- Prioritizing higher density developments without adequate infrastructure upgrades may strain already overburdened resources and services; increased population density could lead to congestion, overstretched public transportation systems, and pressure on utilities and community facilities.
- The removal of parking minimums might seem like a progressive move, but it could have adverse effects on neighborhoods. Insufficient parking spaces could lead to overcrowded streets, parking shortages, and increased competition for limited parking spots. This could particularly impact lower-income residents who rely on personal vehicles for transportation.
- There's a risk that these zoning amendments will primarily benefit developers and higher-income residents, rather than addressing the needs of marginalized communities. Without robust measures to ensure the inclusion of affordable housing units in new developments, there's a real danger of gentrification and displacement, further widening socioeconomic disparities in the city.
In essence, while the intention behind the zoning amendments may be to address housing shortages, and while the residents are looking forward to such development, the potential negative consequences cannot be ignored. A more balanced approach, considering the broader implications on infrastructure, transportation, and social equity, is crucial to truly create sustainable and inclusive communities in Regina.