Nicole Goldsworthy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SaskToday.ca
A proposed second phase of the Westwood residential development could bring 23 new low-density residential lots to Humboldt, adding to the city’s housing inventory as demand for new housing remains strong across the region.
Humboldt city council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 08/2026 on Aug. 24, beginning the formal process to rezone a portion of land in southeast Humboldt from Future Urban Development (FUD) to R1 Low-Density Residential District.
The rezoning is required before subdivision and development approvals can proceed for what would become Westwood Phase 2, according to a report prepared by Development and Marketing Manager Jarrett Delbridge.
First reading does not constitute final approval of the rezoning. The bylaw must still proceed through a public hearing and subsequent council readings before it can be adopted.
If rezoning and other regulatory approvals are granted as expected, municipal servicing and lot development could begin as early as fall 2026, Delbridge told SaskToday. Depending on construction schedules and market conditions, residents could begin moving into newly built homes by mid-to-late 2027.
The proposed development would consist of 23 estate-style residential lots. While the lots are expected to maintain the character of the existing Westwood subdivision, Delbridge said many will be somewhat smaller than some of the original estate lots.
Because of the area’s topography, many lots are expected to accommodate walkout basements, Delbridge said.
Based on discussions with the developer, the city anticipates a range of higher-end homes that will continue the character established in the first phase of the development, Delbridge said.
The addition of 23 lots represents a meaningful contribution to Humboldt’s housing inventory at a time when housing demand remains strong.
“The city continues to see strong demand across the housing continuum, including low-density residential housing,” Delbridge said.
He attributed continued demand to low housing inventories, ongoing economic activity and regional growth associated with the potash sector and the broader Iron Triangle region.
While pricing for the lots has not been released, Delbridge noted the city does not set prices within privately developed subdivisions. Based on the nature of the project, homes are expected to be marketed toward the upper end of Humboldt’s housing market.
Under a servicing agreement with the city, the developer will be responsible for constructing the municipal infrastructure required to support the development.
That includes roads, paving, water distribution systems, sanitary sewer infrastructure, stormwater systems and utility servicing. The infrastructure would later be transferred to the city after inspections and warranty requirements are completed.
Delbridge said taxpayers will not fund the initial infrastructure construction costs.
“The city has sufficient municipal infrastructure capacity to accommodate Phase 2 of the development,” Delbridge said, adding that future growth will continue to be evaluated through engineering reviews and capital planning processes.
According to the council report, approximately 77 acres of land remain available for future development within the broader Westwood area beyond the proposed Phase 2 expansion.
Although the number of future lots has not been determined, the remaining land provides room for additional residential growth over the long term.
City administration said the project aligns with Humboldt’s broader residential growth strategy by expanding opportunities for low-density housing while complementing other housing initiatives in the community.
The rezoning proposal applies only to the Phase 2 lands. Remaining lands within the quarter section will retain their Future Urban Development designation unless future development plans are brought forward for council consideration, Delbridge said.
The public consultation process is still underway.
A public hearing on the proposed rezoning is scheduled for Sept. 14, after which council will consider second and third readings of the bylaw.
According to administration’s report, the proposed rezoning represents a logical extension of the existing residential neighbourhood, and staff have not identified any significant planning concerns.
