Review board to assess request to subdivide Saskatoon’s Knox United Church land

Saskatoon’s iconic Knox United Church needs money, and its board of directors is hoping for permission to subdivide its lot.

But a change to the municipal heritage bylaw is needed first.

At a public hearing Monday, city councillors voted 10-1 to refer the matter to the Municipal Heritage Review Board.

Knox United Church board member Marcel de la Gorgendiere told councillors allowing development on the parcel where a gravel parking lot currently sits would allow the church to maintain service to the community.

Without income from the proposed new development — which includes residential and retail space — he suggested the church would have a difficult time maintaining its building in the future.

“The International and Saskatoon Children’s Choir, Saskatoon Chamber Singers … all occupy space and operate out of Knox,” he said.

Meridian Development Corp. spokesperson Karl Miller said the proposed change to the church’s heritage designation and subsequent high-rise development where the parking lot now sits was about progress.

“The Knox congregation and board have shown great foresight and leadership in using what they have to provide for a steady flow of income for preserving the church,” he explained. “And what they have is land — land that is in a prime location.”

Kindrachuk Agrey Architecture spokesperson Bertrand Bartake urged councillors to consider whether the parking lot on the south side of Knox also had heritage value simply because it was located next to the church.

“The question before you tonight is whether the site to the south of the church is a character-defining element in relation to the heritage designation,” he said. “Lands to the south of Knox United (were) not originally part of the church’s property.”

Bartake also argued that many cities — including Vancouver, Edmonton, Hamilton and Ottawa — also have heritage churches that stood next to larger, newer high rises.

Several others who also made presentations, including Saskatoon Heritage Society president Peggy Sarjeant, argued if the parking lot was subdivided, members of the public would not have any additional input into the future project.

She added the group wasn’t against development of the parking lot per se, but objected to the type of development proposed for that piece of land.

Coun. David Kirton also expressed his concern.

“This is an important piece of property in this city — a very important piece of property in this city — and if it does cost us an extra few months, I don’t have a problem with that. So I won’t be supporting this motion,” he told the rest of council.

However, Coun. Randy Donauer argued that after many years on the table, the project should finally move ahead.

“Knox could end up over time becoming like Third Avenue United (Church), where it’s a beautiful historic heritage site that really can’t afford to maintain itself or keep its doors open,” Donauer said.

The matter will be assessed by the Municipal Heritage Review Board, which will then report back to council. At that point, the motion will still need to receive third and final reading.