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.