Laneway suite sparks dispute in Regina's Lakeview neighbourhood

A proposed 600 square foot laneway suite in Regina's Lakeview area is causing quite the controversy among neighbours. 

Regina's planning commission recently approved zoning bylaw changes to allow for six laneway suites in established neighbourhoods across the cities. 

Laneway suites are an additional building on the same plot as the main house and can either be stand-alone suites or above a garage. 

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Rob Reynar is one of the six property owners hoping city council passes the zoning bylaw changes at its meeting on Sept. 26. 

He wants to build a laneway suite above a brand new two-car garage in his backyard. 

The plan is for his widowed mother to use the suite five months of the year, when she is not RVing around North America.  

Neighbour opposition

At the city's planning commission meeting on Wednesday, multiple neighbours showed up to speak out in opposition of the project. 

"We've certainly heard some murmurs on the block that some folks weren't happy with the development," he said, adding that he's surprised by the negative reaction. 

Ken Kolot has lived in the neighbourhood since 1969 and says the two-storey suite will "destroy privacy." 

"It's much higher than the existing bungalow with a different roof line than the existing bungalow," he said. 

Kolot's house is across the lane from Reynar's property, and slightly down the way. Kolot said that while a tree will protect his yard from prying eyes, he's worried about his neighbours. 

"It won't impact us very much, but it will affect the privacy of people who are adjacent to it or directly across the lane and don't have their property screened from the new laneway suite," he said.

Parking woes 

Traffic was another issue brought up at the meeting. 

Reynar said the city's laneway guidelines make sure there is a parking spot dedicated for the suite. He said he doesn't think a suite the size of his will detrimentally increase traffic in any neighbourhood.

"There are lots of traffic concerns in Regina and laneway suites will not be one of them."

Kolot said it seemed like the city had already made up it's mind to go ahead with the houses, and that not enough consultations were done.

"Before I went to the meeting last night it was a fait accompli, and you got the feeling if you read any of the printed material the city had."

City council needs to give final approval for the bylaw change before it takes effect.