One of Saskatoon’s mayoral candidates wants to see a pause on making a decision around the Housing Accelerator Fund until after the municipal election in November.

There is a special public meeting Thursday on the fund which will present bylaw changes that have to be made before the City of Saskatoon can access $41 million in federal funding.

There are also 36 people who have requested to speak at the meeting, but the city has received hundreds of letters from Saskatoon citizens both for and against the bylaw changes.

Among the proposed changes are permitting up to four dwelling units on all residential sites, permitting multiple-unit residential development within 800m of the bus rapid transit stations, streamlining approvals for residential care homes, and removing minimum parking requirements city wide.

Gord Wyant, who has thrown his hat in the ring to run for mayor, said in a news release that the decision will be made by at least four councillors and a mayor who will no longer be in office after November 13th which could, “burden the incoming council with significant issues due to inadequate due diligence and risk management.”

He also says he acknowledges the housing crisis in Saskatoon but suggests a decision on this scale needs to be made with careful consideration as to its impact pointing to water capacity, sewer and other a major infrastructure.

The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Saskatoon City Hall Council Chambers.