REGINA, Sask. — Regina’s executive committee will consider several significant items Wednesday, including funding for the RCMP Heritage Centre, the return of the city’s housing strategy and proposed changes to floodplain regulations.
Funding for RCMP Heritage Centre
The City of Regina is proposing a $250,000 grant from the general fund reserve (GFR) to the RCMP Heritage Centre for the renewal of its facilities.
The centre was recently awarded $7.7 million from the federal government’s Build Canada Strong Fund toward its $9.6-million capital renewal project.
With the centre still facing a funding shortfall, the city’s potential grant would bring it closer to its funding goal.
However, removing $250,000 from the GFR would move the reserve further away from its current threshold. The GFR currently stands at $20.8 million, compared with its minimum threshold of $35.8 million.
Housing supply report returns
The executive committee will once again consider Regina’s Housing Strategy.
Originally brought forward in July, the strategy outlines actions the city could take between 2027 and 2032 to increase housing supply, diversify housing options and improve affordability through 36 outlined actions.
The executive committee asked administration to provide additional information, including how tax increment financing could be used to advance the city’s housing strategy goals and a summary analysis of how the City of Regina could support infill development.
More information was also requested on timelines that are within the city’s control and those that would require advocacy.
New floodplain regulations
The City of Regina is proposing updates to its floodplain regulations and maps to align with new Water Security Agency (WSA) mapping and provincial requirements.
The changes would adopt a 1-in-200-year flood standard, replacing the previous 1-in-500-year standard.
Updated mapping has added some properties to the floodplain while removing others.
New greenfield development would continue to be prohibited within the floodway, while existing properties could be redeveloped under new flood-proofing requirements.
These include restrictions on residential units in basements, requirements to place mechanical equipment above flood levels and engineering approval for new residential buildings.
Regina’s executive committee meeting gets underway Wednesday at 9 a.m. inside Henry Baker Hall.
Any items approved Wednesday will require final approval at the Sept. 23 council meeting.
