SomerSet proposal for north Regina approved by council
Plans for a new neighbourhood at the north edge of Regina were approved by city council on Monday.
Council members were asked to approve a new concept plan for the first phase of the SomerSet neighbourhood, which will be located north of Uplands.
In December 2013, Regina city council approved the original concept plan. This latest plans are similar, but with some tweaks.
Train tracks to the south
There was some controversy the first time the proposal went before council because the triangle-shaped parcel of land has train tracks to the south, the Evraz steel plant to the west and the Co-op refinery complex to the east.
Critics argued the proximity to industry made it unsuitable for residential development.
However, the developer — Earth King Investments Ltd. — says there will be buffer zones to allay those concerns.
Noise barrier planned
Plans are also in the works for a noise barrier between the development and the CP Rail tracks.
The first phase of the development is to cover 17.6 hectares (43.6 acres) and will include 173 residential lots, plus park space and some commercial development.
In its latest report, the city notes that the Regina public school division and two providers of emergency services — the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region and the Regina Fire Department — continue to have concerns about access to SomerSet.
Council to have final say on new plan
There's only one access planned for Phase 1, which would be on the east side off Winnipeg Street.
Meanwhile, the city doesn't plan to run bus routes through the neighbourhood, the report says.
