THIS WEEK IN EDMONTON

ON THE AGENDA

Stephanie Swensrude

This week, councillors are scheduled to discuss proposed changes to the zoning bylaw, an entertainment district on Happy Beer Street, and whether they should forgive taxes for a handful of non-profits.

There is an urban planning committee meeting scheduled for Feb. 9 and 10, and an executive committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11.

Here are some key items on the agenda:

• Urban planning committee is set to review proposed changes to the zoning bylaw that would limit infill in mature neighbourhoods. Administration suggests amending the small-scale residential (RS) zone, used in most residential neighbourhoods within Anthony Henday Drive, to reduce the maximum number of units on a mid-block site from eight to six. The previous city council narrowly voted in July 2025 to keep the unit cap at eight until more public consultation could be done. Administration is also proposing to increase the minimum lot area required per unit. A report outlining the changes says the approach will “reduce the overall development intensity, reduce conflicts (e.g. vehicle parking and waste collection bins) by accommodating more operations on site, and improve design outcomes while aligning and right-sizing the approach to the incremental development envisioned for the interior of neighbourhoods by the City Plan.”
• Urban planning committee is also expected to consider proposed changes aimed at bigger infill projects outside of nodes and corridors, where administration is planning for the most growth. It recommends changing both the district policy and the small-medium scale residential (RSM) zone to limit where the zone would be supported. Rezoning applications for up to four storeys outside nodes and corridors would mainly be supported only at sites that are both near a mass transit station and along an arterial road, or on a corner site along an arterial road. City staff would also shift away from a strict checklist toward a more flexible set of factors for staff to use when evaluating rezoning applications. Administration recommended against a bylaw to regulate trees on private property.
• If councillors support the changes, administration will draft amendments to be debated at a public hearing, probably on April 7. Staff proposes that if council supports the amendments, the changes would come into effect three months after the public hearing to allow for current applications to work through the review process.
• Executive committee will review a bylaw that would establish an entertainment district on part of Happy Beer Street. The bylaw would close the street to vehicle traffic during certain periods and allow patrons to consume food and alcohol purchased from adjacent restaurants as they walk along the street. Committee is expected to make a recommendation to council, which will vote on the bylaw at a future meeting.
• Administration recommends cancelling $265,000 in unpaid taxes from accounts where collection efforts have been unsuccessful. The sum is from 172 inactive manufactured home accounts or leased accounts, or from businesses that have not paid their business improvement area taxes. A report that will be presented to executive committee on Feb. 11 says it’s challenging to collect BIA taxes because taxes are not secured against property, unlike property taxes. If a property owner doesn’t pay taxes, the city can auction the property, but the available enforcement mechanisms for BIA taxes are less effective. If committee recommends cancelling the taxes, council will make the final decision at a future meeting.
• Three non-profit organizations have asked the city to forgive taxes for previous years. Homes 4 Hope operates a sober living facility. It failed to apply for non-profit tax exemption status in 2023 and 2024, and it is asking for about $10,000 to be forgiven. The Alberta Craft Council owes about $11,600 because it did not provide required documentation in 2023. The Ethiopian Canadian Community Association of Edmonton is asking for up to $41,000 to be forgiven after it did not renew its exemption status in 2023 and 2024. All of the requests fall outside of the council policy that governs tax forgiveness. Executive committee has the option to recommend that council forgive all or some of the outstanding tax amounts.
• This is our 275th edition of Edmonton Minute, marking 275 weeks of tracking City Council meetings and summarizing key details for residents! This newsletter was created to make local politics accessible, cutting through lengthy reports, jargon, and marathon meetings so more residents can stay informed and hold leaders accountable. We have covered debates on spending, taxes, and City priorities, highlighted good and bad decisions, exposed waste, and shown when core services are neglected. Funded entirely by readers, Common Sense Edmonton relies on donations to continue its work, so if you appreciate our work to improve City Hall accountability and ensure citizens stay informed, please consider making a donation to keep this newsletter and our other important municipal work going!

COMMON SENSE EDMONTON

• The Urban Planning Committee will meet this morning at 9:30 am. On the agenda are proposed amendments to the District Policy and Zoning Bylaw 20001 to better manage midblock redevelopment. The changes aim to concentrate larger-scale developments primarily within nodes and corridors, near mass transit, and along arterial roads, while interior neighbourhoods will rely on the Small Scale Residential (RS) Zone for infill. The amendments replace strict criteria-based policies with greater discretion to evaluate local context. Updates to the Small-Medium Scale Transition Residential (RSM) Zone would limit its use to specified locations, reducing rezonings that provide only marginal density increases. Public engagement highlighted concerns over spot zoning, traffic, neighbourhood character, and clarity of policies, which the amendments address through clearer definitions and context-sensitive guidance. If supported by the Urban Planning Committee, draft bylaws will be prepared for a City Council Public Hearing in April 2026.
• Councillor Jon Morgan has proposed reintroducing a diluted, inhibited form of calcium chloride to improve snow and ice removal on city streets. The chemical was previously discontinued in 2019 due to concerns over vehicle corrosion and environmental impacts, though it is still used on some sidewalks, bike lanes, and Anthony Henday Drive. Morgan emphasizes that a weaker, safer solution could help manage dangerous winter conditions like the record snowfall last December. Experts, including University of Alberta’s Tamzin Blewett, warn that widespread use could harm freshwater ecosystems, particularly during spring thaws when wildlife are vulnerable to changes in salinity. City administration will review available snow-clearing options and present recommendations to council. Other Alberta cities, such as Calgary and St. Albert, already use calcium chloride under controlled conditions, often combined with abrasives or brines to limit environmental and infrastructure impacts.
• An interim audit of Edmonton’s 2025 municipal election has prompted calls to reinstate electronic vote tabulators following significant operational challenges. The removal of these machines, mandated by a $4.8 million provincial policy change, required hand-counting thousands of ballots, which the City Auditor reported made a proper audit nearly impossible. The transition almost doubled staffing requirements to over 5,000 workers, yet 16% of voters still experienced wait times exceeding one hour. Beyond delays, the audit drew attention to technical hurdles with the provincially mandated permanent electors register and manual entry errors that necessitated a ward recount. While some officials noted that existing checks and balances ultimately functioned, Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi Councillor Jon Morgan is calling for a return to proven tools like tabulators to ensure the accuracy, safety, and security of future elections.
• Rising construction costs and higher development fees are slowing Edmonton’s real estate market, according to a recent CBRE report. Builders and developers are facing increased expenses that are being passed on to buyers, reducing demand. The report notes that these financial pressures are affecting both residential and commercial projects, making new developments less attractive. Experts say this has had a noticeable dampening effect on the market, slowing growth compared with previous years. Despite the challenges, Edmonton continues to grow, but the pace of development may remain constrained until costs stabilize. Industry stakeholders are closely watching policy changes and market trends that could influence future investment. Overall, the market is adjusting to a new financial reality that could reshape Edmonton.