Members of our Planning Committee and other members of our community spoke at the January 24 Public Hearing regarding Bylaw 21025, which proposed rezoning 10948 89 Ave from RS to RM h16.0.

We want an amendment to the Scona District Plan to create a policy sub-area for small-scale, ground-oriented housing that is adaptable for multi-person households.

The City of Edmonton has released a Draft Rezoning Proposal map for Garneau and is seeking feedback digitally from 4-24 Nov and in-person on 13 Nov.

The community’s advocacy to date appears to have made a difference! Most of North and South Garneau have been removed from the proposed upzoning. While the new draft rezoning proposal is improved, two major problems remain: Lack of appropriate transitions, and reduction of small scale residentiall.

We agree that the 15-minute City concept and City Plan is a good first step. We also agree that District Planning – setting targets for density and ensuring that amenities are integrated into spaces where people live – is a good second step. However, the continuation of good planning requires that these top-down plans make sense for the neighbourhoods that they are affecting. This is done by meaningfully engaging residents and using place-based planning adjustments that consider local context. 

This seeming disconnect between city planning priorities and local community concerns can be overcome through communication and collaboration.