October 1, 2004

Meewasin is a conservation agency established to protect and develop the natural and heritage resources of the Meewasin Valley and to promote an understanding of these resources.

Persons making use of this guide are reminded that it represents a summary of the process and procedures for development review and that The Meewasin Valley Authority Act, R.G.S. 1979, Chapter M- 11. 1, Amended should be consulted. Copies of The Act may be obtained from the Meewasin Valley Authority.

What is Development Review?

Development review is the means Meewasin uses to ensure that certain changes made to the river channel and lands within Meewasin's jurisdiction are compatible with the Authority's development plan.

The Authority has adopted a Development Review Policy as part of its Development Plan. The policy sets guidelines for the construction and review of developments, or what The Meewasin Valley Authority Act calls "improvements". The policy contains guidelines related to the Natural Resources, Slope Stability and Drainage, Landscape Construction and Maintenance, River Channel Improvement, Public Access, Design, Traffic and Parking, Service Facilities and Service Maintenance, and Heritage Resources.

A copy of the Development Review Policy and a Boundary Map may be obtained from the Meewasin Valley Authority.

What is the Authority's jurisdiction?

The Authority's jurisdiction is limited to certain riverbank lands and the South Saskatchewan River as it flows through the Rural Municipality of Corman Park and the City of Saskatoon. To find out if a particular property is within Meewasin's jurisdiction, the Meewasin Valley Authority may be contacted or The Meewasin Valley Authority Act consulted.

What is an "improvement"?

The Meewasin Valley Authority Act defines an improvement as "a building, structure or service facility constructed, or landscape construction, within Meewasin Valley, or any alteration thereof of addition thereto but does not include the ordinary care, maintenance or repair of a building, structure or service facility or of landscape construction."

What kinds of improvements does Meewasin review?

Meewasin's jurisdiction is divided into two zones; the Conservation Zone and the Buffer Zone.

In the Conservation Zone, Meewasin reviews applications for the following:

• Improvements proposed on public land (except the expansion of a water treatment plant or sewage treatment facility).
• Improvements proposed on private land and which cost $25,000 or more (except improvements to one and two family residences zoned by the City of Saskatoon as R1, RIA, and R., and any changes to the interior of a building).
• Improvements to the river channel or shoreline.

In the Buffer Zone, Meewasin must be informed of a proposed improvement.

Improvements on public and private land in the Buffer Zone do not require Meewasin's approval. However, if the total value of the improvement is greater than $150,000, then Meewasin must be informed of the proposed improvement 45 days before construction is started. If the improvement consists of interior renovations or landscape construction, then Meewasin does not need to be notified.

How does Development Review work?

When a person or one of the Authority's participating parties owns or has an interest in a property and intends to make an improvement to that property of the kind that Meewasin must approve, Meewasin's Resource Planning Manager should be contacted early in the planning stage. The Manager will be able to explain the plans, policies, bylaws and regulations which will be used in the review. This information will help the applicant to design the improvement in a manner most likely to meet with Meewasin's approval. The final decision on the application, however, will be made by the Authority.

When Meewasin staff believes that a proposal may not be consistent or in accordance with the development plan, the applicant will be informed immediately. If the applicant wishes, the proposal may be referred to Meewasin's Development Review Committee and the Authority for a preliminary response prior to the submission of a formal application and detailed design drawings.

The following steps are involved in the review of a proposal.

What information is needed as part of the application?

The following information is required in making application to Meewasin for approval of an improvement.

1. Applicant's name, address and phone number. The name of the person or party with an estate or interest in the property is needed so the applicant can be contacted by Meewasin.
2. Representative (if any) to whom correspondence should be sent. Sometimes the applicant may want Meewasin to correspond with someone other than themselves, like an architect or an engineer. The name, address and phone number of the representative should be given.
3. Legal description of the property. The legal description of the property which appears on the land title is used by Meewasin to locate exactly where the improvement is proposed, and to ensure that the property is within Meewasin's jurisdiction.
4. Description of proposed improvement. For quick reference, Meewasin would like a description of the proposed improvement. The description should include a summary of the nature of the improvement and those features that would adequately describe the proposal.
5. Approval period. The length of time for a decision on the application to remain in effect as well as the reasons for that length of time and the date expected to start construction are necessary for Meewasin to check the progress of an improvement.
6. Certification. Before the application form can be processed, it must be signed by the applicant. If the applicant had designated a representative to whom correspondence should be sent, then the applicant and the representative must sign the application form.
7. Other information
   1. Geotechnical Report: A Geotechnical Report likely will be required when an improvement proposed for the east bank of the South Saskatchewan River may cause or contribute to increased instability of the valley slopes, or may itself be affected by instability of the valley slopes.
   2. Hydrological Report: A Hydrological Report may be required when an improvement proposed in the river channel may adversely affect river hydrology or channel morphology.
   3. Environmental Assessment Report: An Environmental Assessment Report may be required when an improvement is likely to have a significant impact on the natural environment.
   4. Traffic Report: A Traffic Report may be required when an improvement may adversely affect existing traffic circulation, volume or parking.
   5. Parking Report: A Parking Report may be required when an improvement may make excessive parking demands on the surrounding area.
   6. Heritage Resources Report: A Heritage Resources Report may be required when an improvement is likely to disturb a known, or likely to be found, heritage resource on a site.
   7. Any other information, model(s) or specifications that the Meewasin Valley Authority may require as part of the review process.

How long does it take to review an application?

The review of an application usually takes between 30 and 60 days; however, a decision on an application must be made within 60 days from the date on which the application, or all information in support of the application, is received.

What does the Authority's decision mean?

When the application has been approved without any conditions attached, construction may start any time after notice of the Authority's decision has been received by the applicant.

When an application has been approved subject to certain conditions, construction cannot start until all the conditions have been met. The Authority will determine when the conditions have been met and will forward a letter to the applicant to this effect.

When an application has been denied, construction cannot proceed.

If construction is started and the Authority has denied the application, or if construction is started and the conditions of approval have not been met, the Meewasin Valley Authority Act allows the Authority to do one of the following: a court action may be brought against the owner restraining further construction; a court order may be obtained for the removal of the improvement at the owner's expense; or a court order may be obtained directing the applicant to comply with terms and conditions.

Any person or participating party who fails to comply with the Meewasin Valley Authority Act in regards to proper notification of improvements in the Buffer Zone (Section 18); obtaining necessary approvals for improvements in the Conservation Zone (Section 19); or satisfying the terms and conditions attached to the conditional approval for an improvement in the Conservation Zone (Section 26.2) is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine. In addition the Authority can apply to the court to make any order, including an order as to costs that a judge of her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench of Saskatchewan considers just.

The approval of a proposed improvement by the Authority does not mean approval by other agencies which may have jurisdiction over the property. It is the responsibility of each applicant to obtain the necessary approvals from other agencies before commencing the improvement.

Can the Authority's decision be appealed?

When the applicant believes that the Authority, in making its decision, has misapplied the development plan in relation to the application, or if the applicant feels aggrieved with respect to any terms or conditions attached to an approval, the Authority's decision can be appealed to the Meewasin Valley Appeal Board. The Meewasin Valley Appeal Board is constituted independently from the Meewasin Valley Authority.

For further information on the appeal process and procedures, reference should be made to The Meewasin Valley Authority Act, RS.S. 1979 Chapter M‑ 11.1, Amended.

Boundary Map

A boundary map is available as part of the Development Review Package. The map shows Meewasin's Conservation Zone and Buffer Zone in the City of Saskatoon. To determine if a particular property is within Meewasin's jurisdiction, The Meewasin Valley Authority Act should be consulted or Meewasin staff contacted.

Any more questions?

If you have any additional questions about Development Review or would like more information, please direct your inquires to:
Resource Planning Manager
Meewasin Valley Authority
402 Third Avenue South
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7K 3G5
(306)665-6887