REGINA, Sask. — Regina city councillors are facing a wide-ranging agenda Wednesday, with decisions on millions of dollars in housing incentives, tougher collection measures for unpaid parking tickets, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and a controversial work camp proposed near an industrial site.
The Oct. 28 meeting could also bring changes to who has the final say over certain development decisions, as council considers whether to require elected officials to approve exceptions to planning policies governing development between Regina and the Rural Municipality of Sherwood.
Council meets at 1 p.m. at City Hall.
$3 million proposed for housing incentives
One of the major financial decisions involves the city’s Housing Accelerator Fund and efforts to encourage more residential development in downtown Regina.
Under a recommendation from the executive committee, council would direct administration to establish a new pilot program offering capital grants for market housing in the Downtown and Centre Square neighbourhoods.
The proposal would allocate $3 million to the program, including $1.5 million reallocated from existing rental acquisition, repair and pre-development grant programs, with the balance coming from other unallocated Housing Accelerator Funding.
Councillors would also consider extending the city’s Downtown Office to Residential Conversion Policy pilot through 2027 and changing when grants are paid to developers. The proposed schedule would release payments in stages as agreements are signed, development permits are issued and construction reaches completion.
The decisions could influence how the city uses available funding to encourage new housing and convert existing downtown office space into residential units.
Unpaid parking tickets could bring tougher consequences
Council is also being asked to approve changes to Regina’s parking enforcement system, including amendments to the Traffic Bylaw and funding considerations for a future vehicle immobilization and seizure program.
Administration recommends that $250,000 and two full-time equivalent positions be considered during the 2027–2028 budget process to help launch a program targeting unpaid parking tickets.
The proposed changes would also increase standard parking fines by $15 while maintaining existing discounted amounts for motorists who pay within 14 days. Under the example in the report, a ticket currently costing $75 after the discount period would rise to $90, while the early-payment amount would remain $40.
The proposed changes are intended to improve compliance and strengthen parking enforcement. However, the vehicle immobilization and seizure program would still require consideration through the future budget process.
Pedestrian and cyclist safety returns to the council table
Road safety is another central issue, with councillors considering a motion directing administration to develop a Pedestrian and Cyclist Protection Strategy Action Plan.
The proposed plan would identify measures involving road design, education, enforcement, policy and regulations to reduce traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. It would focus on pedestrians, children, cyclists and other vulnerable road users throughout Regina.
Administration would be asked to bring the action plan to council for consideration in the third quarter of 2027, while presenting any immediate policy changes requiring council approval at the earliest opportunity.
The agenda also includes a separate notice of enquiry asking about the city’s responsibilities and actions on pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Who gets the final say on development?
A motion from Ward 5 Coun. Sarah Turnbull looks at changing how Regina handles exceptions to two policies in its Official Community Plan concerning the collaborative planning area between the city and the RM of Sherwood.
The existing policies provide for joint planning around land use, infrastructure servicing, transportation connections and economic development. They also allow the requirements for a concept or secondary plan to be waived in certain circumstances, including a development offering broader economic benefits.
The proposed amendment would require city council approval before those policies could be waived, rather than leaving that decision to delegated municipal officials.
The motion identifies public transparency, opportunities for feedback and council’s understanding of major developments as reasons for the proposed change.
The question has added significance following council’s recent debate over the Bell AI Fabric data centre campus in the RM of Sherwood. On Oct. 14, councillors approved a motion seeking information about Regina’s role in the project, potential effects on city infrastructure and water systems, and options for addressing environmental and cross-boundary impacts.
The Oct. 28 agenda includes a city manager’s report on the data centre and a recommendation to remove the related outstanding item from council’s list. Councillors will also consider the proposed planning-policy amendment.
A proposed work camp draws a long list of speakers
A separate decision concerns a discretionary-use application for a work camp at 1102 North Fleet Street.
Council is being asked to approve the proposed use subject to conditions, including limiting the development to the designated property, following the submitted site and building plans, and setting an expiry date of Dec. 31, 2028.
The item has attracted a substantial list of registered delegations, including members of the public, labour organizations and representatives of Consumers’ Co-operative Refineries Limited.
The range of speakers signals a closely watched discussion. Council’s decision will determine whether the proposed use can proceed under the conditions set out in the recommendation.
More development decisions and city business
Councillors will also consider a zoning amendment affecting 3800 Rochdale Boulevard in the Hawkstone neighbourhood. The proposed change would rezone part of the property to establish consistent zoning for a planned commercial development that includes a proposed car dealership.
The agenda also includes proposed changes to sign regulations along Chuka Boulevard, a procurement authorization for development management services for the Hawkstone residential project, and a motion concerning standalone surface parking lots.
Under the parking-lot item, the recommendation is to deny a proposal for a future report following completion of the City Centre Transportation Study and Parking Travel Demand Strategy.
Other business includes the city manager recruitment update, a strategic plan progress report, approval of a proposed Mayor’s Heroism Award Policy, and annual reports on the city’s cultural site and kâ-nâsihcikêwin Indigenous framework.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Henry Baker Hall inside Regina City Hall. The proceedings are also scheduled to be broadcast by Access Communications for later airing on the AccessNow Community Channel.
