City of Regina looks to include manufactured homes across residential neighbourhoods

The City of Regina is considering a bylaw to allow manufactured homes in every residential zone. Sierra D’Souza Butts explains.

Regina’s planning commission is taking a different approach to housing by proposing manufactured homes be allowed in all residential zones across the city.

The recommendation will be brought forward to city council on Wednesday.

Currently, manufactured homeowners are only allowed on properties designated as a Residential Manufactured Home Zone (RMH). Under The Regina Zoning Bylaw, there are only two areas permitted - one in Glen Elm and one in Argyle Park.

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However if approved, the amendments to the bylaw would allow manufactured homes be permitted in all residential zone neighbourhoods within city limits.

“We are very excited to hear that our recommendation came back to the [Regina] Planning Commission … The idea of being able to enact a bylaw where anyone, anywhere in the City of Regina can buy a lot and move a manufactured home onto it,” expressed Randall Edge, president of the Glen Elm Retirement Community Residents Association.

“We’re really looking forward to this matter coming before city council.”

The association was formed earlier this year, after numerous residents were evicted from Glen Elm’s mobile home community and forced to move their manufactured homes elsewhere.

Since then, the group has been working with city officials to find a sustainable solution and prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future.

“We want to compliment everybody, the city manager’s office, the folks in the planning department. Of course we were hoping that this process could have happened faster, but in all fairness it is happening within a six-month cycle,” said Edge.

“I think you cannot complain that the city has not been respond to this. They absolutely listened and we are really hopeful they will support this recommendation.”

Edge added there is not much difference between traditional homes compared to mobile ones.

“Really, all we’re talking about is just whether or not a home is built in the factory or built on site. What’s the difference? There is no difference because manufactured homes are built to CSA standards, they’re warm, they are safe. They’re just wonderful place to live.

“They have the benefit of providing an affordable alternative to someone buying $1 million house in their city.”

The recommendation will be brought forward to Regina City Council on Wednesday for final approval.