Article content continued

“We want to make money at the end of the day, don’t get me wrong. We’re a business and the only way we’re going to do more projects is if we make money, but we want to do it in a way that is positive.”

Each Meridian project brings back memories for Miller, many of which involve battles with residents opposed to each development. His latest venture, a seven-storey condominium building proposed for University Drive, proved most controversial of all.

While the project was ultimately greenlit by city council, the two-year process from conception to approval led Miller to take the unusual step — developers are usually reluctant to speak out publicly — of pledging to avoid future projects that require rezoning.

Standing outside the Faith Alive Family Church, the future site of Meridian’s new condominium project, he acknowledged support for infill at city hall and on council but stood by his pledge to avoid similar projects in the future.

“I made those comments based on the fact that under the current circumstances of the process you have to go through, we would not entertain that again. There was no certainty, there was a lot of risk,” Miller said.

“We put thousands of hours into this project with no certainty that it was going ahead, and hundreds of thousands of dollars. Again, if it didn’t go ahead that money is lost. So I would still stand by those comments.”

Photo by Liam Richards / Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Under the city’s zoning bylaw, every piece of property is given a specific zoning designation that defines how it can be used. There are many different designations covering industrial, commercial and residential land uses.