BETTER INFILL UPDATE - 051525
Hello Better Infill—
We begin with what may be the most important news concerning Edmonton’s infill since the zoning bylaw was passed. In February, BetterInfill received unrelated emails from three neighbourhoods asking if there was a multi-neighbourhood campaign to press for better ways to manage infill. In one neighbourhood 350 people signed a petition in a week; in another, 170 came to a meeting on infill. A third neighbourhood had set up its own website on infill.
BetterInfill hosted an initial meeting, where people from a handful of neighbourhoods met to share concerns and strategy. A week later a dozen neighbourhoods met. Ten days later people from more than twenty neighbourhoods came out, and Edmonton Neighbourhoods United was born.
More than thirty neighbourhoods are now connected, and the number is rising fast. Neighbourhoods are no longer prepared to be picked off one-by-one by city hall and developers.
Edmonton Neighbourhoods United (ENU) is supporting neighbourhoods that want to push back at zoning and infill policies and demand better. One of their first actions was to host a very informative webinar on the new infill bylaws with Jan Hardstaff. You’ll learn a lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ9pilMgqLE
Visit ENU’s website at www.edmontonneighbourhoodsunited.com, get a lawn sign, consider becoming a neighbourhood leader, and PLEASE sign their petition.
Consider speaking at one or both of the following two city hall meetings.
On May 20 council will decide whether to proceed with another experiment in zoning: a mass rezoning of 1400 properties to higher density. The properties are in selected “priority growth areas”: Garneau; 124 Street corridor; Oliver; Stony Plain Road corridor; and 156 Street corridor.
Mass rezonings like this are not normal. Usually developers apply for rezonings, so why is council doing it for them in advance, 1400 times over? City administration claims this makes it easier for developers, but the Canadian Home Builders Association already ranks Edmonton as the easiest big city in Canada for developers.
Learn more at the city’s link: https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/city_vision_and_strategic_plan/priority-growth-area-rezoning
See the maps of the areas being rezoned and the list of addresses here: https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/BL21128.pdf?cb=1747160824
Register to speak May 20 by calling the City Clerk’s Office (780-496-8178) or at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjK1JQOPRWVORUVKsSbRn3yLN5E9vcVLu3nifMO4N1ZfmgFg/viewform
On June 3, city administration is bringing a one-year review of the zoning bylaw to city council's urban planning committee. Every Edmontonian has the right to speak to this committee for five minutes.
You don’t have to be Shakespeare; just be yourself. Describe what you’re seeing in your neighbourhood. Is it what you want? How could it be better? Have you had any say in what’s happening? Explore www.BetterInfill.ca and www.EdmontonNeighbourhoodsUnited.ca for information that will help you prepare.
Here is a link to the city website to register to speak at the June 3 urban planning committee. The infill industry will be there pressing for even more concessions; councillors need to hear from neighbourhoods.
Finally, reaction to our special report Tough Questions for the EFCL has been strong. (Read the article at www.betterinfill.ca.) We’ve been especially gratified by comments from people with direct knowledge of the events we wrote about:
“Very well researched and written...It all needed to be said.”
“I loved the article.”
“[O]nce I started I couldn't quit reading it. It really demonstrates the transition of EFCL from being a critical partner of leagues to being a partner of the city.”
“My wish is for everyone affected by this zoning nightmare to carefully consider the facts...and take all necessary steps to reclaim the EFCL and restore its rightful role in empowering communities and citizens.”