Regina city council approved an amendment to the City’s Offical Community Plan (OCP) that would allow the waiving of density targets for new neighbourhoods in “unique” circumstances.

Currently, the OCP has a density target of 50 persons per hectare (PPH) with the goal of the target to prioritize the development of neighbourhoods that are safe, inclusive, easy to get around and have a “mix of housing choices, amenities and services.”

The amendment would allow for lower density requirements based on “unique factors” such as the size of the area, access, and limited potential to accommodate neighbourhood services.

Councillor Lori Bresciani, the acting deputy mayor, says that the amendment would allow a mix of housing choices for those who want more space.

“I think what we need for sure is to have destiny and dense neighbourhoods, but we also need to have areas in our City that have a lower density and find that balance,” she said. “We’ve got people that are coming to Regina, who are wanting a larger home; we need to have inventory there for people.”

During Wednesday’s city council meeting, City administration said that an area adjacent to the Joanne Goulet Golf Course on Pinkie Road would likely be the only site in the city’s growth plan that the policy change would affect.

“It may not be suited to residential development at or exceeding 50 PPH given its smaller development area and limited potential for services such as transit.”

Bresciani said that this provides a balance of housing inventory.

“I think it comes down to options for people. I think when you look at the denser neighbourhoods, I think there’s more people that would say I would love to have a bit of larger lot. We need to have all those options, and not one is better than the other, but it’s just to have options for people, so when they decide to move or relocate here, we have created options for everyone.

She said the worry is that if they continue at the 50 PPH, they could miss out on people who want a larger lot and move elsewhere.