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Klarvatten Surplus School Site Zoning Options

Consultation has concluded

Airphoto with surplus school site location

***The discussion has concluded and a What We Heard Report is available.***


Thank you for providing feedback for consideration.

***The discussion has concluded and a What We Heard Report is available.***


Thank you for providing feedback for consideration.

Consultation has concluded

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  • Type your question in the box below and click "Submit". Answers are provided as soon as possible, and timing can depend on the number of questions received.

  • Currently the area has had 2 x soccer / sport fields developed in it, to that point why are you removing areas that are used by the youth and families within the area and surrounding areas to compress more people into smaller spaces. The parking within the area right now is not bad but as soon as you put medium to high density housing into the mix, there is not consideration within the process to ensure that all accommodations have the required # of stalls per person for parking rather than depending on the streets to be filled by the overflow? Please Define Supportive Housing that is being looked at within the community, what requirements are needed to maintain the safe and peaceful living that the community is used to? This Community has paid their taxes to maintain the area as it is, not be told that the city knows best. The sign was put up in the area in 2019, when calls were put in to find out any information we were told there was no information available and now you have this great plan, none of the suggestions you have presented fit within this area, taking out physical activity area's used by city leagues to compress housing into it, yet you have not listened to any of the push back from other communities and just proceeded willy nilly as you want. Input from the citizens within the area is a must, there is now a opening up of the restrictions going on within the province and the city, I feel that the city should go back to the legally required process rather than pushingh this through without listening to the community.

    Robert asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your comments, and your questions are answered below in the order you have presented them.


    While there are currently soccer fields on the former school building site, they were always intended as temporary.  We recognize this is a perceived loss of park space to the residents; however, an Open Space Assessment conducted by the Urban Growth and Open Space Strategies Department confirmed that Klarvatten exceeds the Urban Parks Management Plan target of 2ha of park space per 1,000 residents, by having 5.34ha of open space per 1,000 residents. 


    Parking requirements are dictated by the Zoning Bylaw and are reviewed at the detailed design and permit stage, to ensure adequate parking is provided. Neighborhood streets are designed and intended to accommodate on street parking. 


    Zones allow for a range of different use types and Supportive Housing is a permitted use under the RA7, RF5 or RMD zones, and can be viewed using the links provided, or is detailed below. 


    “Supportive Housing” means a residential use with on site or off site supports to ensure the residents' day to day needs are met. This does not include Extended Medical Treatment Services. 


    The ultimate development on site will be determined by the future owner once a final zone has been selected and approved by City Council, and a development permit has been applied in accordance with the uses permitted in the approved zone.


    This engagement opportunity is in addition to what is legally required in the Municipal Government Act and the City’s Rezoning and Plan Amendment process, which will be followed if, and when, a formal application is submitted, just as a private developer would have to follow. 

    uses,zoning,parking
    uses zoning parking

  • First of all I agree with none of the above preferences as it will increase possible crime and continuous problems with parking. Because of COVID-19 (which you are saying is the reason you can't do this in person) any and all decisions should be put on hold until a proper public forum can be held. Can you tell me when the public consultation was done to determine what would be a fit to the community, I personally have never heard of any being done.. Why are you taking a purely residential neighbor hood and turning it into a support area for what I don't know what. There is not explanation of what you mean in the preferences by saying limited group homes, supportive housing and lodging homes. There is more than enough retail, health services, and multi Unit housing ( where are the school age children to attend school) within the area. What are secondary suites supposed to indicate. Upon building our home 20 years ago, this was not in the original planning nor was it even a consideration. Since the city has started the infill in older neighbor hoods the same problem is arriving more people less available space to park because the new infill does not allow for households to have more than one vehicle, therefore the streets become a safety hazard for everyone. Will you mandate to the multi-level development that it must provide required parking and underground parking to keep the overflow off of the street. In this area we already have a problem with parking during soccer or field based sports that use the green space, adding more housing especially high density housing to the area you will multiply the parking problems 10 fold. With this there will be possible increase crime (which will increase insurance costs on both home and vehicle, decrease in property value, may I suggest if this has to be rezoned, why not consider senior single level housing for independent seniors. I look forward to receiving my official notifications reference to the changes to zoning that you are implying

    Robert asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback and your questions.


    Public engagements for various surplus sites have been ongoing across the City and have always been part of the City’s best practices. 


    The surplus site in Klarvatten was planned for development in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City believes the public should continue to have an opportunity to provide feedback on rezoning proposals while meeting the mandatory health regulations. To meet these requirements the City has decided to provide the public an opportunity to provide feedback online, via the website, email and phone calls.


    The various uses you have mentioned are listed as either permitted or discretionary uses under the RA7, RF5 or RMD zones, and can be viewed using the links provided. The final use will be determined once a final zone has been selected, approved by City Council and a development permit has been applied for to allow for a use listed under the final selected or preferred zone.


    City Administration reviewed the surrounding land uses, existing City policies and statutory plans, and available market information to determine a suitable land use that helps Edmonton reach its strategic goals and is compatible with the existing neighbourhood. It was determined that a medium residential use would be an appropriate fit for the surplus school site. The City believes that repurposing undeveloped surplus sites makes the best and most innovative use of available land to offer greater housing choices to everyone, creating more sustainable communities and better meeting the City’s changing needs.


    This round of engagement is the first public consultation the City is carrying out to receive feedback from community residents on the proposed plans for the surplus school site. The purpose of the engagement is to seek feedback on the preferred residential zone. The feedback we receive through this engagement will be considered when City Administration decides which residential zone will be brought forward in a rezoning application. Further public engagement opportunities will be available during the rezoning process, including the opportunity to speak directly to City Council at a public hearing to be held in the future.


    As part of the rezoning and development permit process, the City’s Transportation Planning group shall review the development proposal and ensure the proposed development will not impact the service level of adjacent and surrounding roadways and the development further meets parking requirements under the Zoning Bylaw.

    engagement,parking,crime,density
    engagement parking crime density

  • During a pandemic, with the amount of children and young families in the area why are you taking away outdoor recreation facilities (soccer fields)? If anything the city should be looking at upgrading the playground facility that is there so that younger children can safely play on the equipment. If you look into the playground facility that is built it actually has a safety warning posted and age of use that is recommended. A spray park in the community would also be useful so that the Castle Downs spray park is not over crowded during a time of social distancing. I think it is time for the city to give back to the hard working families that live in the area and already pay taxes. Children of ages should be able to safely play in our community and adding low income housing will definitely not allow that to happen.

    Rwcr asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback.


    The soccer field was placed on site as a temporary use while waiting for the Edmonton Public School Board to determine if there would be a need to develop a school. The Edmonton Public School Board regularly reviews their need for vacant school sites, and if a site is not needed for a future school, it will be declared surplus and released to the City. 


    Upgrading of playground equipment or creation of a spray park are actually community driven projects, not City funded projects.  You can find information on that process on the City’s webpage here, and also reach out to your Neighbourhood Resource Coordinator, Rochelle Diederichs if you would like to find out more information about pursuing these ideas.  Her email is rochelle.diederichs@edmonton.ca, and her phone number is 780-619-1827.


    The proposed use on this surplus site is for medium density residential, and there is no plan at this time for it to be a low-income housing project.

    open space,sports fields,playground
    open space sports fields playground

  • I am very disappointed with the announcement of more medium-high density housing in our community. Over the last several years this community has been inundated with higher density housing and now 2 areas in our community within 3 kms. of each other are being rezoned for higher density housing. I understand the city is moving toward densification but it is unreasonable to expect one community to take the brunt of the change. Please do not insult my intelligence by stating that the value of property directly across from green space will be worth the same as if it were across from higher density housing. It is not just that this community is being over-developed yet taxes have been increasing. My question is, will the city reconsider the decision to rezone the area to higher density housing?

    KPrincipe asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. 


    Future growth in Edmonton is being redirected into established neighbourhoods in alignment with ConnectEdmonton, our Strategic Plan, and the City Plan in order for the city to grow in a more sustainable way. This is happening all over the city — although the Ozerna and Klarvatten surplus school sites are both located on the north side, there are others located in the west end and south side, for example, that have undergone, and are currently undergoing, similar redevelopment processes. 


    The City believes that repurposing undeveloped, surplus building sites makes the best and most innovative use of available land to offer greater housing choices to everyone, creating more sustainable communities and better meeting the City’s changing needs. 


    Feedback we receive through this engagement will be considered when we decide which residential zone will be brought forward in a rezoning application. Further public engagement opportunities will be available during the rezoning process, including the ability to voice your opinions to City Council before they vote on the application at a future Public Hearing.


    The Klarvatten neighbourhood, and the neighbourhoods to the east or west (within 3 KMs), currently do not have any high density residential uses which would be classified as low rise apartments and above.  The 2016 Federal Census data shows that Klarvatten is 85% single family residential, and 15% row housing, compared to the City average of 56% single family housing, 10% row housing, and 27% apartment.

    The recommendation to move ahead with a medium density use would serve to add density and diversity of housing types in the area without adding a less compatible high density use.  Note that even though these numbers are from 2016, they are still considered representative as the number of total dwelling units in Klarvatten did not change in the 2019 Census data, which did not break down housing types.

    density
    density

  • No matter what anyone says, your canned response seems to be "Not all of the park area will be developed, as only the specific site that was declared surplus to the Edmonton Public School Board’s needs will be developed." We all understand this statement. What folks are trying to tell you is that we don't want to lose ANY green space. That space is used heavily by the various Lago Lindo Soccer teams. I don't want the city to give way to more homes. Crystalline Nera (just blocks east of this site) is full of high density housing and all I keep seeing is an increase in crime and traffic. I would rather keep using this 1.5 hectares of green space the way it has been used since the very beginning - fields for kid's soccer teams, families, and urban wildlife. Please - no development of any sort.

    SoccerCoach asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback.


    We do recognize the value residents place in all open  space and hear the comments about it being retained.


    Our responses are an explanation of our position for those who may not be familiar with the information. 

    open space,green space,sports fields,traffic,crime
    open space green space sports fields traffic crime

  • I do not agree with any of the above plans. There is more than enough multi family complexes in this area. I think there is more than the required number of medical and health offices in the ward 3 zone. There are retail spaces in one of the new areas near here that are still empty. I do not want another alcohol and/or pot store in this area. I think that when you stated Covid19 is the reason there will not be an in person forum. then I request that because of Covid 19 the plan to rezone be delayed until we the residents in this area have an open chance to talk about how we feel with this change. I feel like this is very under handed and the council hope to push this through during the Covid 19. We all know we have health rules to follow.

    #homeowner asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback. Public engagements for various surplus sites have been ongoing across the City and have always been part of the City’s best practices. 


    The surplus site in Klarvatten was planned for development in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City believes the public should continue to have an opportunity to provide feedback on rezoning proposals while meeting the mandatory health regulations. To meet these requirements the City has decided to provide the public an opportunity to provide feedback online, via the website, email and phone calls.


    There will be additional opportunities to provide feedback throughout the rezoning process, including the opportunity to speak directly to City Council at a public hearing to be held in the future.

    engagement,covid
    engagement covid

  • My option is to leave it the way it is, its a beautiful green space that is well used by the community. Especially since the playground is so underwhelming.

    AndyYEG asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback. 


    Not all of the park area will be developed, only the specific site that was declared surplus to the Edmonton Public School Board’s needs will be developed. The park space on the adjacent lot to the surplused site will stay as is.

  • With so many vacancies in the surrounding area in the high and medium density homes why would this neighbourhood even need another?

    TeeBee asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. 


    Future growth in Edmonton is being redirected into established neighbourhoods in alignment with ConnectEdmonton, our Strategic Plan, and the City Plan in order for the city to grow in a more sustainable way. This is happening city wide — there are surplus sites located in the west end and south side that have undergone, and are currently undergoing, similar redevelopment processes. 

  • Why can't the people in Klarvatten have park space similar to other areas in the city of Edmonton. Why do we always have to put maximum density housing and have no area at all for a park where trees grow and wildlife can find a home? Why is it a priority in some select areas and in NE Edmonton it is always " Lets pack them in as tight as possible"? It is not proper planning and not conducive to a healthy lifestyle for all the people that live in this area.

    EugeneT asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback. 


    Future growth in Edmonton is being redirected into established neighbourhoods in alignment with ConnectEdmonton, our Strategic Plan, and the City Plan in order for the city to grow in a more sustainable way. This is happening city wide — although the Klarvatten and Ozerna surplus school sites are both located on the north side, there are others located in the west end and south side that have undergone, and are currently undergoing, similar redevelopment processes. 


    Both of the school sites located in Klarvatten and Ozerna were declared surplus by Edmonton Public Schools in 2015. An internal City review of both sites was carried out to determine if there was a municipal use for either site. Following the review, it was determined that there was no municipal need for either of the sites and they were both declared surplus to City needs in 2017. 

    open space
    open space

  • Why are you taking away busy sports fields?

    Lynette J asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. 


    Not all of the park area will be developed, only the specific site that was declared surplus to the Edmonton Public School Board’s needs will be developed.


    The Edmonton Public School Board regularly reviews their need for vacant school sites, and if a site is not needed for a future school, it will be declared surplus and released to the City. Klarvatten has not achieved the population anticipated when neighbourhood plans were first designed and its numbers peaked below planned levels and have started to decline. As a result, this building site set aside for a public elementary school to meet the planned population level was not developed and was later declared surplus by the Edmonton Public School Board. Both the Edmonton Catholic School Board and the Francophone school board have also declared no interest in the site.

    sports fields
    sports fields