Community Character (Lakeview and Cathedral)

The consultant, Wallace Insights, is finalizing its report and has prepared an executive summary that is available to be reviewed by interested residents.

The project included a number of engagement opportunities. Check out the findings and potential recommendations.

If you have further comment, please reach out to planning@wallaceinsights.com with your feedback and questions by May 20, 2022.

The report is scheduled to go to Council in Q3 2022.

The Project Team has now completed the following activities:

• Character Data Collection
  • Eight (8) chats with key informant groups to establish scope
  • An Architectural Character Study
  • Compilation of eleven (11) community learning resources
  • Engagement with 214 visitors to the Photo Story Project
    
    
• Stakeholder-Informed Character Definitions
  • Four (4) workshops with 31 participants
  • Online discussion forum with 40 contributions
    
    
• Character Area Identification
  • Concentration mapping for character elements
  • Exercises at two (2) workshops with 13 participants
    
    
• Municipal Tool Identification
  • A Regulatory Options Study
  • Exercises at two (2) workshops with 13 participants

What Municipal Tools were explored?

There are a wide variety of municipal tools available to protect these character themes, ranging from policy (i.e. broad statements which provide guidance toward a desired outcome) to regulation (i.e. rules set out in bylaw to implement policy) to programs (i.e. investments in economic, social and environmental activities to enhance quality of life).

Following a review of a number of regulatory options, three (3) regulations were explored in depth:

• Architectural Control District
  • This regulation must have an identified theme and places limits on variety within a specific area of application.
  • The rules follow a design plan established based on the identified architectural theme.
  • Zoning rules which control land use, building setbacks, density, parking, building volume and massing remain in place.
    
    
• Heritage Conservation District
  • This regulation must have an adopted set of design guidelines which may include architecture as well as other character elements.
  • The rules allow variety within the context of the identified heritage theme.
  • Zoning rules which control land use, building setbacks, density, parking, building volume and massing remain in place.
    
    
• Direct Control District (DCD Zoning)
  • This regulation is a new zoning district which may contain both architectural and heritage regulations.
  • The rules control land use, design, public and private spaces. It replaces existing zoning.
  • DCD’s involve more review of development proposals and the establishment of development agreements.

Neighbourhood Character Themes Identified

Participants in the project discussed a number of character elements aligning to the following themes:

Only the popular themes of ‘Fit’ and ‘Porches’ can be regulated with the regulatory tools identified. All other themes may be guided by policy (broad statements on desired outcomes) or programs (such as education or incentives).

What Happens Next?

A Consultant Recommendations Report is currently being prepared. A draft will be posted to this project page for comment. An online survey (3-5 questions) will also be posted to solicit specific feedback on the draft recommendations from the consultants.

Discussing the potential to use new policy and regulation to protect identified character themes now begins. Thanks to those who have contributed to the project so far to help define the themes.

The Protecting Character Study Guide provides important background information for upcoming workshops in Cathedral (January 18) and Lakeview (January 20). Both workshops begin at 7 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Register for workshops

If you have not yet had a chance to share your thoughts with this project, there is still time.

• The Photo Story Project is being extended to January 24.
• Add your thoughts to the Discussion Forum anytime before the end of February.
• Email the Project Team.

The project team received valuable community insights at workshops held November 30 (Cathedral) and December 2 (Lakeview). Strong character themes emerging for both neighbourhoods include the importance of variety, walkability, local business, and trees. Themes specifically creating a ‘sense of place’ in Cathedral include porches, art, and gardening. ‘Fit’ with existing character is a topic of discussion emerging in Lakeview. These and other themes are expected to be more fully developed as the project continues into the new year.

Additional workshops focused on Defining Character are also planned for January 11 (Cathedral) and January 13 (Lakeview).

At the request of community members, the Photo Story Project is being extended to January 21.

Through December, the Team will prepare a Study Guide for the Protecting Character series of workshops scheduled for January 18 (Cathedral) and January 20 (Lakeview). This Guide will incorporate learnings from feedback received to date.

A series of informative videos and documents have been compiled to provide helpful background on heritage and 'character' and how they relate to broader community goals. See the list below:

Brief Histories

• Indigenous Perspectives
• Lakeview
• Cathedral

The Role of Heritage

• Interview with Emmaline Hill, Manager, Social & Cultural Development (City of Regina)
• Interview with Heritage Researcher Dr. Robert Shipley
• Interview with Local Developer Ross Keith
• Contributions to Sustainability (City of Calgary findings)

Regulatory Options

• Project Context (City of Regina policies)
• Community Character Today
• Gaps and Possibilities

View Frequently Asked Questions

Workshop Study Guide

Participants attending the "Deep Dive on Character" online workshops on November 30 and December 2 are encouraged to view the Workshop Study Guide and read preliminary results of the Photo Story Project and other community input received so far.

Earlier this Fall, the project team met with stakeholders from a variety of sectors. Some brought expertise in heritage conservation, some were from the business and development community, some were volunteers in the Cathedral or Lakeview Community Associations, and others were owners of heritage-designated properties.

Based on their advice, we are pleased to introduce a new way to participate in the Community Character Project. Check out our Discussion space where you can leave a comment about what makes Cathedral and Lakeview’s character special.

The Photo Story Project is seeing activity and we will keep this going until November 24. The photos are great, check it out!

All property owners in the Cathedral and Lakeview neighbourhoods should have received a mailer about the project. Watch your mailbox if you live or work in the area.

Register for Workshops

The first set of workshops are coming up! Register to participate by emailing planning@wallaceinsights.com. The session for Cathedral is Tuesday, November 30. The Lakeview session is Thursday, December 2. Both will be held virtually via Zoom and start at 7 p.m. Workshop Study Guides will be available later next week.

Are you on social media? If so, follow the City of Regina for more about this project. Thanks to our partners Heritage Regina, Cathedral Community Association and Lakeview Community Association for being social with us to help get the word out about this project.

The City of Regina seeks greater clarity on the heritage and architectural features within the Cathedral and Lakeview neighbourhoods that contribute to the unique character of these communities. This project has been formed to provide this clarity.

The Community Character (Lakeview and Cathedral) project was created on the basis of a report to Regina Planning Commission (CR21-43 Options for Regulating Heritage and Architectural Design) on March 10, 2021. Further direction to establish the resourcing and project approach was given based on a report to City Council (CM21-7 Opportunities to Regulate Heritage and Architectural Design) on April 14, 2021.

The following are the highlights of these reports:

• City Council has asked for a review of opportunities to regulate heritage and/or architectural design specific to the Cathedral and Lakeview neighbourhoods.
• Consultations with stakeholders and the broader community is expected.
• The Cathedral and Lakeview Community Associations are encouraged to play a leadership role in these consultations.
• This project will proceed in parallel with the ongoing Neighbourhood Planning Program to avoid impacting current planning efforts underway in other areas of the city. The results of this project shall inform future Neighbourhood Plans.
  1. The Cathedral neighbourhood is currently scheduled for Neighbourhood Plan renewal within five (5) years. It is #10 on the list.
  2. The Lakeview neighbourhood is currently scheduled for Neighbourhood Plan renewal sometime in the next 5-10 years.
• Funding to engage a consultant and temporary assignment of internal staff was approved. Wallace Insights was contracted to lead this project.

The Cathedral and Lakeview neighbourhoods each have a unique sense of place. To understand what makes these neighbourhoods special, residents are invited to participate in the Photo Story Project. Using the Photo Story Map, pin a location and tell us (with photos and words) what you think creates the particular character of these areas. Submissions will be collected until November 19, 2021 and input will be sorted into themes for discussion in a series of workshops and an online survey focused on defining the character of the Cathedral and Lakeview neighbourhoods that participants feel should be protected and enhanced into the future.

Upcoming Workshops

If you are a resident or business owner within the Cathedral or Lakeview neighbourhood and are interested in taking part in upcoming workshops, please email planning@wallaceinsights.com to register. Workshops are online and will be hosted on Zoom.

If you are new to using Zoom, please refer to the Zoom help page to help you participate in the workshops. We recommend downloading the Zoom application on your computer or cellphone. Joining from web browser is possible but some features and settings are limited.