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- calendar_today October 20, 2026
City Council to Vote on Zoning Changes for 36 Properties
Saskatoon city hall is evaluating proposed zoning changes for 36 properties located along main transit corridors. The move aims to enable a broader mix of development types and higher residential density along these busy routes, drawing both support and concern from local stakeholders.
Preston Avenue Residents Voice Concerns
Residents like Elaine Walker, who lives in the Holliston neighbourhood across from Walter Murray Collegiate on Preston Avenue, are preparing to contest the rezoning. The property in question currently hosts a 1,302-square-foot split-level home but could be redeveloped into a six-storey mixed-use building, incorporating both residential and commercial elements. Walker highlighted worries about exacerbating traffic congestion on Preston Avenue, already busy due to nearby schools.
She emphasized the importance of considering student safety in city-planning decisions, stating, "Let's put safety of children in front of their need for building six-storey houses with businesses on the bottom."
Planning Process and Upcoming Council Decision
The proposed zoning changes are scheduled for discussion at the upcoming city council meeting on October 28. Earlier, Walker and her neighbours addressed Saskatoon's municipal planning commission to request individualized votes for each property. However, the commission approved all 36 properties in a single endorsement, forwarding the recommendation to the full council for a final decision.
Walker's efforts have received attention from local council members Jasmin Parker and Bev Dubois, who represent neighbourhoods along Preston Avenue. Both councillors acknowledged hearing concerns from area residents regarding the zoning proposals.
Impacts on Neighbourhood and Property Values
Homeowners along Preston Avenue are apprehensive about how rezoning may alter the character of their neighbourhood and potentially impact property values. Walker indicated that at least two homeowners are already selling their properties in anticipation of the changes. Many residents, she noted, were not previously aware of recent amendments permitting six-storey residential buildings along major transit corridors.
Saskatoon's transit revamp, known as Link, features several high-frequency bus routes intended to support increased housing and mixed-use density along these corridors. City hall's broader strategy is to concentrate growth where transit service is strongest.
Scope of Proposed Zoning and Previous Decisions
The 36 properties up for rezoning span 12 neighbourhoods across the city, with property owners having opted in to the process. This batch includes six properties each on 22nd Street and Eighth Street East, five on Preston Avenue South, and four on Avenue P South.
City council began approving similar changes in 2024, with 10 properties rezoned that year and 13 more in 2025. Two main mixed-use zoning designations are under consideration: "station mixed-use" for areas near Link stations, allowing three- to six-storey development, and "corridor mixed-use," which permits two- to six-storey buildings focused on pedestrian and transit-oriented principles. Nine applications in this current proposal seek the station mixed-use zoning.
On Preston Avenue specifically, owners of properties at 2326 and 2402 Preston near Market Mall are seeking the station mixed-use designation, while 2018, 2745, and 2940 Preston are proposed for corridor mixed-use zoning.
Next Steps for Saskatoon Zoning Changes
The city council's upcoming meeting will determine the fate of these 36 properties and help shape future development along Saskatoon's transit corridors. As the debate continues, residents, council members, and planners remain engaged in discussions about neighbourhood changes, residential density, and the city's evolving approach to transit-oriented development.
Source: cbc.ca.
