Infill bylaw debate continues, decision to be put to city councillors next week

Edmonton's urban planning committee is debating a number of changes to the city's zoning bylaw, including capping the number of units allowed mid-block.

Edmonton’s Urban Planning Committee was back at city hall Tuesday debating a number of changes to the new infill zoning bylaw.

The discussion comes eight months after council passed several motions asking administration to analyze the current zoning bylaw, some of which include a reduction of dwelling allowed on a site in a residential area, reducing height of infills and options to support the maintenance and retention of trees on private properties.

Under the current bylaw, infills in residential areas can be a maximum of three storeys and can have up to eight dwellings.

Some Edmontonians are hoping the city reduces the height of future infills and knocks the number of dwellings down to six.

Many councillors campaigned on the unit cap in the recent municipal election, including Mayor Andrew Knack who now believes over-bearing building size is the biggest infill issue.

City planners have recommended restricting mid-rise projects to arterial roads on lots that are either close to transit or on a corner.

But a final call on the new bylaw won’t be made until at least city council meets next week.

Dozens of people spoke to the committee Monday and Tuesday about the bylaw and how it will both positively and negatively impact Edmontonians.

Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Reed Clarke said the committee meeting allowed councillors to hear about what should be looked at and if city administration needs to get back to the drawing board.

“I really respect both sides of this issue, and I think the good thing is nobody’s arguing that we don’t need density,” said Clarke. “There’s just a few tweaks people are suggesting.”

City council meets on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.