City administration recommending Edmonton backtrack on infill, gathering feedback

City administration is recommending Edmonton city council backtrack on some aspects of its approach to infill and cap mid-block developments at six units instead of eight.

The suggestion comes alongside recommendations to further restrict the number of dwellings a lot can have proportional to its size — both on corners and mid-block. 

The proposed changes are scheduled to be presented to the city’s urban planning committee on Feb. 10.

Some city councillors say they aren’t so sure the recommendations strike the right balance.

Mayor Andrew Knack said he heard loud and clear during the election that revisions to infill rules were needed. But he said he isn’t convinced that a fixed unit number cap is the answer, especially when lot sizes can vary. 

“The idea of a fixed number, I think in hindsight, is maybe less effective overall,” he told CBC News. “So I'd like to talk about the nuance of that.”

Knack also wanted to see something for protecting mature trees, but administration isn’t recommending anything at this time. A private tree bylaw narrowly lost a council vote a few years ago.

“We have to stop finding ways to say no to that and start realizing that that's an important issue for Edmontonians who live in older neighbourhoods,” Knack said.

Coun. Michael Janz said he was surprised to see administration recommend further restrictions on corner lots.

"Nobody had been talking about corners. Corners seemed to be a generally acceptable area for Edmontonians — they wanted to see the density on the corners, not mid block,” Janz said.

Administration’s recommendation to cap mid-block units at six is the same proposed change that council voted down in the summer. But Knack said the new council heard there is a hunger for change when knocking on doors leading up to the election. 

“I want to respect those voices and acknowledge that it is time to make some adjustments,” Knack said. 

But he cautioned there won’t be a full overhaul like the one seen in Calgary.

Edmontonians can weigh in on the recommendations in an online survey until Jan. 29.