A city commission voted on Tuesday to send a report, which recommends tougher building standards for properties along the South Saskatchewan River, to Saskatoon city council.
“I think these recommendations will help provide clarity for residents in the area and for potential developers,” said Robin Mowat, chairperson of the municipal planning commission, a group of private residents and city officials.
The recommendations are designed to prevent damage from slumping riverbanks, which has been a concern for residents. In 2013, shifting ground damaged some roads and property in the Nutana neighbourhood and in 2016 closed part of Saskatchewan Crescent.
The report specifies two areas, between Victoria and McPherson Avenue and the other between Taylor Street and Clarence Avenue. Construction projects in both will be evaluated on the makeup of the soil, the slope of the land and the depth of the groundwater at the location.
The areas would not be allowed in-ground pools — because any leak would destabilize the riverbank — and must be evaluated by a geotechnical engineer.
Kara Fagnou, the director of the building standards city department, said that evaluations can cost “anywhere from $10,000 to 20,000.”
“It will depend on the complexity of the proposed development and the location of the property itself,” she said.
She added that smaller developments, like a deck, could require less stringent and expensive evaluations.
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