Proposed apartment building in Regina's Douglas Park heads to council amid stiff opposition

Regina city council faces a tough decision on Tuesday: show its commitment to building more housing units in the city or back off in the face of intense public pressure.

The proposal for a five-storey, 90 unit apartment building in the Douglas Park neighbourhood is up for debate at a special meeting of council.

The discretionary use application is the sole topic up for discussion Tuesday as council faces what is set to be a heated debate where dozens are expected to turn up — many of whom are against the building's construction.

Councillors that are part of Regina Planning Commission heard many of the arguments during the commission's meeting on May 28 when 27 delegates showed up.

The list of delegates for Tuesday's council has yet to be published as of 4:30 p.m. Monday, but the expectation is that even more are expected to register.

Many of those against the project say it will change the neighbourhood's character, which is primarily made up of single-family homes.

An artists rendering of the proposed five-storey, 90-unit apartment that would be located along 20th Ave. E but is currently part of a parcel of land on Douglas Avenue owned by the Regina Christian School Association. (City of Regina)

At issue is a section of land behind Du Parc École Francophone that runs along 20th Ave. E.

The space is currently owned by the Regina Christian School Association and was part of land that was previously meant for school purposes. It is now considered as surplus by school authorities, according to city planning documents.

Through 1080 Architecture, The Winchester Group, a development company owned by Joshua Bresciani, has proposed zoning changes for the property that if approved would result in the land being split off into its own lot.

Joshua is the son of Ward 4. Coun. Lori Bresciani, which has previously resulted in her recusal from council discussions that could have affected this project.

The apartment building would include underground parking as well as a daycare centre.

Due to the height of the development and the inclusion of a daycare centre in the proposal, the changes need to be approved by Regina city council.

While public delegations have mostly spoken against the project, city staff are recommending council clear the way for the development.

Staff highlight that the apartment building meets council's goal of building density throughout the city as well as improving the supply and variety of housing options in Regina.

The proposed project also complies with the federal government's Housing Accelerator Fund, which is meant to rapidly increase the amount of housing units available in the face of shortages across the country.

City council has already applied for and signed a deal with Ottawa to take part in the accelerator fund.

That's why it's already in the process of changing its development bylaws in exchange for $35 million.

Council is set to meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday.