A land use study aimed at nailing down the most advantageous location for a ‘Regional Node’ in the Warman-Martensville area is nearing the finish line.
And based on the evidence gathered so far, the most likely location for the Regional Node is along Township Road 384 between Range Roads 3051 and 3052, just east of Martensville.
The project is a collaborative effort between the RM of Corman Park and the cities of Warman and Martensville under the auspices of the Partnership for Growth (P4G), It is designed to identify a shared area (regional node) in which to locate amenities that mutually benefit and better connect all three communities.
The study was contracted to ISL Engineering. The first phase began in the summer of 2023 with data collection and a round of public consultations. The second phase during the fall and early winter of 2023 analyzed serviceability aspects of the study area including drainage, transportation, water and wastewater.
The study is currently in its third phase, which includes policy recommendations and gathering feedback from landowners and residents. A public open house was held in Warman on Monday, May 13.
A final report, which incorporates suggestions from the public, is slated to be brought to the three municipal councils in the next few weeks.
The goal of the study is to ensure that when future shared infrastructure projects are needed, the land and servicing will be ready, according to ISL Community Planning Manager Darren Young.
While the overall study area is quite large, Young said each quarter-section contained within that area was analyzed separately and given a rating in terms of its limitations and advantages. The quarter-sections with the highest ratings were identified as the most appropriate location for the Regional Node.
“We looked at every planning unit, which is generally a quarter-section, for its suitability from all perspectives; including transportation, water, wastewater, and storm water drainage,” said Young. “Once we had all those rankings, we aggregated the data and it became clear which units were more eligible for consideration for the Regional Node.
“It became fairly obvious that it was going to gravitate towards the Township Road 384 corridor.”
The background data outlining the engineering firm’s technical review is posted online at https://rmcormanpark.ca/338/Regional-Node-Study.
Young said the Regional Node could include a variety of institutional land uses such as a regional police station, fire hall, health care centre or school; as well as commercial enterprises. There is also room for the balance of the land to become future urban residential.
Young added that development of the Regional Node is tied to population growth in the area.
“Ultimately the majority of these lands are in the 700,000 to 1 million population horizon for the Saskatoon area,” said Young. “So that could be anywhere up to 50 years away.”
P4G Executive-Director Rebecca Row said the potential institutional land uses are at the idea stage right now.
“There is still so much more engineering and planning that has to go into some of this,” said Row. “This Regional Node is focused on long-term growth, so that when the time comes for development, the land will be ready. Landowners in the area are aware of this, and they have an expectation of what might be coming down the road.”
Martensville Planning Manager Bonnie Gorelitza said there is no fixed future date for the Regional Node to be developed.
“We’re staying away from time lines at this point because it’s more about having the land investment ready,” said Gorelitza. “So that when things come along we’re ready to take advantage of that, and assist them to have a place where they can be there for the joint use of all three municipalities.”
While the Regional Node study is not a detailed concept plan, the examples of some potential institutional land uses portrayed on the map are raising red flags for some Warman City Councillors.
“I was disappointed to see land uses suggested at this time,” said Warman City Councillor Doug Ramage during discussion at the Warman City Council meeting on Monday, May 13, immediately after the open house. “I think the question of zoning should be settled first.
“This council is on record as being supportive of a joint-use school, but not necessarily at that particular location at this time.”