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.

Foundational change is coming to Garneau and if you don’t let your voice be heard often and loudly our community will endure a lot of unnecessary growing pains in the years to come.

This week the league received an update from the City of Edmonton on the Priority Growth Area Rezoning project. Garneau has been selected for targeted, proactive rezonings; The City will be hosting workshops and online engagement to help inform which specific sites should be rezoned, and they are planning a University-Garneau workshop on August 15.

The league recently received an update on the City’s progress toward developing City-owned land at 11049 and 11053 - 83 Avenue. As you may recall, City Council approved the proposal on April 23, 2024, to develop a four-storey supportive housing apartment building with 34 units, including five barrier-free units designed for people with disabilities.