On the agenda: Construction planning, Wîhkwêntôwin rezoning, aging infrastructure

This week, councillors are set to discuss an integrated approach to construction planning, a rezoning application in Wîhkwêntôwin, and aging infrastructure.

There is an infrastructure committee meeting on Feb. 23, a public hearing on Feb. 24, and an audit committee meeting on Feb. 25.

Here are some key items on the agenda:

• Administration said it will make changes to construction plans for a more integrated, proactive, and coordinated approach, after what it called a "challenging traffic season" in 2025. In a report set to be presented to infrastructure committee, the city said it has deferred the construction of the northbound Low Level Bridge until 2027 and has hired a manager to focus on integrating projects and minimizing traffic impacts downtown. Administration will also work with contractors on schedules that allow for work to be completed faster, as it did with the accelerated Valley Line West construction last year. Jason Meliefste, branch manager of infrastructure delivery, told CBC Edmonton the city is keen to avoid overlapping construction projects this year.
• Administration said it does not support a rezoning application for a lot in Wîhkwêntôwin because the proposed zone allows for development that would not align with the neighbourhood's heritage-defining features. The report said the site at 11202 99 Avenue NW is located in a dense node of unique historic buildings. The Armstrong Residence, a historic building that once sat on the property, was demolished in September. The current zoning allows for a four-storey building, and the report says the developer wants to rezone the property to allow for a mixed-use, three-storey building with a wider variety of potential commercial uses. Administration said it offered to work with the applicant to create a direct control zone that mimics the proposed zone while regulating architectural controls. Council is scheduled to debate the application on Feb. 24.
• StreetSide Developments has proposed rezoning a church and park space at 11520 Ellerslie Road SW to allow for small and medium-sized forms of housing. The developer proposes rezoning part of the lot along Ellerslie Road SW to allow for a six-storey tower and another part for a three-storey development. Administration heard from about 150 residents who said they oppose the rezoning because it could make traffic and parking congestion worse, and because the church and open space are well-used by the community.
• The replacement value of Edmonton's infrastructure assets has grown by 37% to nearly $40 billion between 2013 and 2025, according to a report that will be presented to council's infrastructure committee. More than 50% of the assets are in good or very good condition, but administration said investment must be increased to prevent assets from falling into poor condition. The report is meant to provide context for upcoming council decisions, including the 2027-2030 capital budget deliberations that are scheduled for later this year.

Here are updates on some items we told you about last week:

• Council voted 8-4 to maintain the maximum number of units for new infill developments at eight dwellings, rejecting a motion from Coun. Karen Principe to reduce it to six. Council also voted 10-3 to direct administration to prepare bylaw amendments that would limit new infill to 9.5 metres in total height, and voted 11-2 to instruct administration to draft a private tree protection bylaw. The bylaws will be debated and voted on at a public hearing.
• Council voted 10-3 to approve the sale of part of Wedgewood Park to the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta for $1 to build a 60-unit affordable housing development, after a judicial review found the original 2024 decision lacked a proper public hearing. The development will result in the loss of some of the community's green space. Councillors cited the city's housing needs and reconciliation efforts in supporting the sale.
• Council voted to establish an entertainment district on Happy Beer Street. During select times, the restaurants on a portion of 78 Avenue can close the road to traffic, and patrons can consume food and alcohol while walking along the street.
• Council voted 7-6 to provide Northmark Materials a $75,000 grant for a new facility that must be located within Edmonton's boundaries. Coun. Anne Stevenson introduced the motion and argued that it was a good investment that would help grow the city's non-residential tax base. Some councillors questioned the fairness of giving one-off grants, and said they preferred an official, competitive grant program such as the Edmonton Edge Fund. Administration is preparing a report about Edmonton's economic development agencies, such as Edmonton Global, Edmonton Screen, Edmonton Unlimited, and Explore Edmonton, as well as a report about refreshing the city's economic development strategy.
• Council voted to forgive portions of taxes for the Alberta Craft Council, the Ethiopian Community Association, and Homes 4 Hope.

Meetings stream live on YouTube on the Chamber channel and River Valley Room channel.

For more on various civic issues, including the recent infill decisions, an update on snow-clearing, the Wedgewood decision, a price hike for patios, and the grant for Northmark Materials, listen to Episode 344 of Speaking Municipally.