The Saskatchewan government is prepared to step in if cities and rural municipalities can’t agree on development plans.
Government relations minister Jim Reiter has introduced amendments to the Planning and Development Act that would allow the province to establish regional planning authorities.
Under the existing legislation, two or more municipalities may enter into their own agreements to form planning districts.
Reiter said the voluntary approach works well in most cases.
“In most instances across the province, there’s great co-operation between municipalities,” he said.
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“There have been some instances where that just isn’t the case and in very extreme cases we’re concerned about the impact that could have on potential growth opportunities in the province.”
The most highly publicized example is likely the relationship between the City of Regina and the RM of Sherwood, which has broken down over planning issues.
The RM asked about a year ago that the 50-year-old district planning commission be dissolved.
The city and the RM disagreed last fall about the location of a Kal Tire distribution and retreading plant.
The RM supported its construction near the Global Transportation Hub, while the city, which wants to be able to accommodate new neighbourhoods, said a development plan should be in place first.
Premier Brad Wall has said economic development opportunities shouldn’t be held up because local governments can’t get along.
Reiter said last week that the province doesn’t want to interfere but needs the authority to be able to do so when necessary.
“We’re going to use this, if at all, very judiciously,” he said.
“This isn’t intended to micromanage every decision that cities and adjacent municipalities make.”
He said the proposed amendments will not immediately affect the situation between Regina and Sherwood.
“I’m still asking them to come to some sort of agreement,” he said.
Ongoing projects in the Regina area include expansion at the transportation hub, the overpass at Pinkie Road and the Trans-Canada Highway for truck traffic to the hub, and a potential bypass on the east side of the city.
