November 15, 2022
City Council
City of Edmonton
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton AB, T5J 2R7
RE: Nov 22, 2022, 7.1 Zoning Bylaw Renewal Report #5 - Draft Zoning Bylaw
To Urban Planning Committee, Mayor and City Council:
The Infill Development in Edmonton Association (IDEA) is an educational and advocacy nonprofit, non-partisan association that represents over 180 city builders and city shapers. Our purpose is to drive change toward people-centred communities within Edmonton’s mature neighbourhoods. The majority of our members are small and local businesses, passionate about executing Council’s City Plan goals.
IDEA believes that it is critical for the City to be bold during the first phase of City Plan implementation: growing from 1 million to 1.25 million residents. The new Zoning Bylaw is a transformational initiative and one of the most important ways to realize City Plan. City Plan clearly articulates that we need to shift the status quo to allow for choices that will allow Edmonton to become a healthy, urban, climate-resilient city that supports a prosperous region.
People want to live in mature neighbourhoods, but doing so remains far more costly than suburban neighbourhoods because i) land and servicing costs more, ii) the process is more complicated and takes more time, and iii) there is no economy of scale. Some of these factors can and should be understood and influenced by the City through the Zoning Bylaw Renewal process. IDEA generally supports the direction of the draft zones, while continuing to advocate for a level playing field for developing and redeveloping neighbourhoods, as outlined below.
SUGGESTIONS
The purpose statement of the Small-Medium Scale Transition Residential Zone (RSM) should be clear that the zone can be used in both developing AND redeveloping neighbourhoods, as the RF5 and UCRH zones are currently used in mature and core areas. If this is not specifically addressed now, development planners may be hesitant to allow this zone to be used for infill projects.
We would like to see opportunities for rear-attached garages in the Small Scale Residential Zone (RS). Rear-attached garages can be built with minimal impact on neighbouring properties and will allow opportunities for more accessible, barrier-free housing.
The Small Scale Residential Zone (RS) should have the same maximum building height of 12.0 m as the RSF zone (the lowest intensity zone for developing areas), in order to support three-storey development and to create equal opportunities in both developing and redeveloping areas. This will allow for more floor-to-celing height in both the basement and on the uppermost floor, in alignment with what the market currently demands and what has already been provided for many years in development neighbourhoods, among other benefits.
SUPPORT
Small Scale Residential Zone
The Small Scale Residential Zone combines multiple existing small-scale residential zones into a single zone, allowing for greater opportunities to provide a variety of homes that meet different needs. We also see it as an opportunity to reduce homeowners' need to hire consultants to rezone land for row housing, which is currently a barrier to densifying all residential areas, in alignment with City Plan.
We also appreciate the ability to allow new, most likely small micro-businesses in neighbourhoods.
Medium Scale Residential Zone
We appreciate the use of context modifiers that allow for a wider range of low- to mid-rise buildings in areas where City Plan supports these types of developments. We also support the range of services allowed in the medium-scale zone that will better help to meet Edmontians’ needs.
Mixed Use Zone
IDEA appreciates that a wide range of commercial and service-oriented uses will allow flexibility in the types of businesses that can operate within this zone. We also support the opportunities for horizontal mixed-use development, and the use of context modifiers to allow greater height where appropriate.
Mature Neighbourhood Overlay
The Mature Neighbourhood Overlay has added significant barriers to infill development and has created unequal development opportunities between suburban communities and redeveloping communities, and between different properties within redeveloping neighbourhoods, for years. The contextual regulations of the overlay, particularly the front and rear setback, have created enormous constraints and uncertainty for small-scale development and the constant and unnecessary need for variances. IDEA is supportive of the proposal to retire the overlay.
Backyard Housing
Garden Suites are built for multiple reasons, such as allowing aging parents to live close to their families, creating mortgage helpers (rental suites), and creating offices and work space to allow for a minimal separation between home and work. We have seen an increase in the development of garden suites in recent years, and they have proven to be an effective way to allow gentle increases in density with minimal impacts on neighbours. We see the proposed updates to the regulations as supporting the development of housing that will better meet the needs of Edmontonians.
Home Based Businesses
Over the pandemic years, we have clearly seen that small and micro businesses have few negative impacts on neighbourhoods, but many positive impacts, including enabling business owners to work in an environment that meets their needs. The proposed changes align with the flexibility that Edmonton's business owners need to grow and succeed in our City.
We appreciate that zoning is one of the tools to realize our climate goals and the bold moves outlined in the draft zoning bylaw that will enable 15 minute communities.
IDEA would like to thank City Administration and Council for their continuous work in implementing City Plan. As stated previously, IDEA believes the first stage of City Plan implementation is critical, and the more information we have to ensure our decision-making is sustainable, the better.
Thank you for your time. If you have any questions, please contact IDEA via Mariah Samji at mariah@infilledmonton.com or 780-951-6926.
Sincerely,
Letter sent to Edmonton City Council, Office of the City Clerks, Deputy City Manager of Urban Planning and Economy, Branch Manager Planning and Environment Services, and the Project Lead of Zoning Bylaw