Council hears frustration from both sides on proposed infill changes
Residents and developers told Edmonton city councillors at a public hearing on April 7 that proposed changes to the zoning bylaw won't make a material difference to the feel of the infill structures from the street and will only make units less livable. Administration recommended reducing the maximum height in the small-scale residential (RS) zone from 10.5 metres to 9.5 metres, arguing it would help reduce the perception of massing while still allowing three-storey developments with basement windows above grade. Jan Hardstaff, speaking on behalf of a coalition called the Residential Infill Working Group, said reducing the maximum height "will not resolve impacts imposed by large, long, intensive multiplex RS zone infill, at least not meaningfully." Hardstaff said the zone needs amendments to setbacks to better integrate infill developments into the surrounding homes.
Meanwhile, the development industry also opposed the changes. Mauricio Ochoa, president of the Infill Development in Edmonton Association, said the current 10.5-metre maximum height allows for family-oriented infill development with functional basements and standard ceilings. He added that the change would bring the zone's maximum height even lower than the suburban equivalent of the RS zone, which caps buildings at 12 metres. "If our goal is to encourage housing in established neighbourhoods, this move is in the wrong direction," he said.
Kalen Anderson of BILD Edmonton Metro said the organization trusts councillors to make a decision, but urged that any changes should be made with clarity and confidence, and the changes should be phased in so they have less impact on developments that are underway. Administration said that if the changes are approved, some existing developments will become legally non-conforming, so staff will introduce a clause to the bylaw allowing planners to vary the maximum height for buildings with a valid development permit. Council postponed debate on the changes until a public hearing on April 27.
