This week, council will consider a below‑market land sale in Wedgewood Heights, decide whether to remove municipal reserve land in Edmiston Industrial, and review a revised capital request from the largest non-profit social housing operator in Alberta.
There is a council meeting scheduled for Feb. 17 and 18, and a non-regular council meeting scheduled for Feb. 20.
Here are some key items on the agenda:
- Administration has proposed selling a portion of a surplus school site in Wedgewood Heights for $1 to Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta for a 60-unit mixed-market affordable housing development. If council approves the sale, administration will use part of its Housing Accelerator Fund allocation to expedite the development. Some nearby residents have opposed development on the site in Ward sipiyiniwak because it would remove green space from the community. Council will hold a statutory public hearing about the sale during its meeting on Feb. 18.
- Council is scheduled to debate at a statutory public hearing whether it should sell municipal reserve land in the Edmiston industrial area. The city acquired the land at 17803 114 Avenue NW in 1987 and planned to build a park, and later a new eco-station, but both uses are now deemed unnecessary. Administration plans to subdivide the property into three industrial lots. Council is required to hold a public hearing to dispose of municipal reserve land.
- Council is scheduled to review a revised capital budget request from GEF Seniors Housing. Council rejected the organization's request for an additional $4.7 million during the fall supplement budget adjustment and advised it to bring the budget down to $2.1 million. Administration said it will work with GEF to determine its operating and capital expenses for the 2027-2030 budget cycle, and said it will work to establish and fund a capital reserve to address the organization's longer-term capital needs.
- Councillors will discuss council's priorities and related performance measures for the 2027-2030 budget cycle at a non-regular meeting on Feb. 20.
- Council will meet in private to discuss a confidential negotiation, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference, council priorities, and the Office of the City Auditor's 2026 work plan.
Administration proposes selling this site in Wedgewood Heights to an affordable housing provider. (City of Edmonton)
Here are updates on some items we told you about last week:
- Urban planning committee heard from about 70 speakers last week about proposed changes to the zoning bylaw that could limit the size and dwelling count of mid-block infill developments, with dissatisfaction on both sides of the issue. The committee referred the item to council's Feb. 17-18 meeting without making a recommendation. If council approves the changes, administration will prepare draft bylaws for consideration at a future public hearing.
- Executive committee recommended that council forgive taxes for the Alberta Craft Council, the Ethiopian Community Association, and Homes 4 Hope. Council is set to vote on each case on Feb. 17 or 18.
- Executive committee endorsed a bylaw that would establish Happy Beer Street as an entertainment district and close the street to vehicle traffic during certain periods, allowing patrons to consume food and alcohol purchased from adjacent restaurants as they walk along the street. Council is set to vote on the bylaw on Feb. 17 or 18.
Meetings stream live on YouTube on the Chamber channel and River Valley Room channel.
For more on various civic issues, including the proposed infill changes, a potential private tree bylaw, and the 2025 municipal election, listen to Episode 343 of Speaking Municipally, with guest Troy Pavlek.