Despite pushback from neighbours, the planning commission approved six laneway suites as part of a pilot project to test this type of home in Regina.

Laneway suites inching ahead, despite pushback from the area, why bother talking to city council when they don't listen???????????????

“The overall community good would trump some of the concerns in the neighbourhood,”  O’Donnell said of the commission’s reasoning behind the decision.

Laneway suites are separate from the main house and are located above or beside a garage or at the back of a lot. They are not currently allowed under Regina’s zoning bylaw.

The pilot suites are located at 2990 Albert St., 1932 Atkinson St., 62 Charles Cres., 2117 Edward St., 3321 Regina Ave. and 2822 Sinton Ave.

They must follow guidelines that dictate things like their location, height and design.

“The feeling from planning commission was that the stipulations and the regulations for these laneway suites are far more exact … than any other development,” said O’Donnell.

The city was hoping for 20 applications but only received eight. A report says administration heard the timeline to submit proposals was challenging, and the cost of building a suite and servicing it was prohibitive.

The six selected projects will be evaluated to determine if laneway suites should be generally allowed in Regina neighbourhoods.