IDEA Letter to Urban Planning Committee - Zoning Bylaw Renewal and District Planning April 2022

April 8, 2022

City Council

City of Edmonton
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton AB, T5J 2R7

RE: April 12, 2022, Urban Planning Committee 

6.2 Zoning Bylaw Renewal Report #4 - Proposed Zones, Initiative Update and Next Steps
6.3 District Planning Authorization and Engagement Approach


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 vast majority of our members are small and local businesses, passionate about executing Council’s City Plan goals.

IDEA has spoken previously about the need to update and retire old, inequitable policies and regulations that do not align with City Plan. The Zoning Bylaw renewal and District Planning Project are essential to this work.

Zoning Bylaw Renewal

IDEA’s objective is to help facilitate equitable infill development that meets the needs of Edmontonians. Today's zoning bylaw, processes and technology do not support the redevelopment of our City. As we are still at the early stages of this project, we ask that Council monitor and ask constructive questions about the following: 

  • How will new zones be providing housing options that meet the needs of different user groups, including families (with and without children), single people, and the elderly?

  • How will commercial uses be integrated into neighbourhoods, in order to create 15 minute communities?

  • How will infrastructure data be made public so that those investing in our communities have an understanding of costs, upfront?

  • How will these new zones prioritize changes that allow for sustainable development?

  • How do the new zones support future-oriented vibrant nodes and corridors through vertical and horizontal mixed-use projects with community-oriented uses?

  • How can we automate non-complex permits for both infill and greenfield to create equitable building processes and timelines? 

  • How is the GBA+ and Equity Toolkit being used in this renewal to support diverse stakeholder needs as we build a City for everyone?

  • Do these zones support simpler regulations and processes for infill development, in alignment with City Plan?

  • What will the education for all those affected by a new zoning bylaw look like: community, industry and internal City staff?

  • How will this support the creation of vibrant communities that bring Edmontonians together? 

District Planning
The District Planning project is an incredibly important step to retiring completed policies that no longer serve the needs of today's and tomorrow's communities.

How to support:
Please support the preparation of district plans and the district general policy as required by The City Plan Policy 2.3.2.2

IDEA wants to thank the Zoning Bylaw Team and the District Planning Team for all of their work to date and everything that is to come. These are milestone projects for Edmonton and need support if we are to achieve the goals in City Plan. The changes may feel uncomfortable, however, the results will bring Edmonton’s diverse communities together. 

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,