LDA23-0160 Athlone Rezoning/ Road Closure/ Subdivision

Engagement has concluded

November 30 Update: You can now access the What We Heard Report.

Get involved!

You are invited to learn more about the application and share feedback online. The following engagement opportunities are open from September 25, 2023 until October 8, 2023.

What Happens Next

We will use feedback shared to make sure our review of the application is as complete as possible. After engagement is closed, feedback received will be summarized in a What We Heard report for City Council so that they know your perspective prior to making a decision.

The City will also update the community ahead of any development milestones, such as the selection of a housing partner and sale of the land, through additional mailouts and updates to edmonton.ca/supportivehousing. Further engagement on the layout and design of the development will be led by the future developer.

November 30 Update: You can now access the What We Heard Report.

Get involved!

You are invited to learn more about the application and share feedback online. The following engagement opportunities are open from September 25, 2023 until October 8, 2023.

What Happens Next

We will use feedback shared to make sure our review of the application is as complete as possible. After engagement is closed, feedback received will be summarized in a What We Heard report for City Council so that they know your perspective prior to making a decision.

The City will also update the community ahead of any development milestones, such as the selection of a housing partner and sale of the land, through additional mailouts and updates to edmonton.ca/supportivehousing. Further engagement on the layout and design of the development will be led by the future developer.

Engagement has concluded

Use the tool below to submit a question to the file planner or see what others have been asking. Answers are posted within 5 business days. When needed, we will also work with the applicant to provide an answer. 

You will need to provide a screen name and email as all questions go through an automated moderation process. Your screen name will be displayed but all other information is kept confidential. 

Ask a question directly to the City file planner who is processing the application.

  • Question for the City Planner on LDA23-0160 Athlone Rezoning/Road Closure/Subdivision: 1. How many homeless people will be relocated to this new apartment complex once it is built? 2. When will construction commences on this new apartment complex? 3. Can you provide me with the building size of the apartment complex that you plan to build in the purposed rezoning area of Athlone? 4. Can you provide me with a breakdown of number of residences that this apartment block will contain? Can also give me the number of bedrooms and a breakdown of what the various apartments will contain room wise. For example, each apartment will contain a kitchen, living room, # of Bedrooms, # of bathrooms. Will each apartment have a balcony and/or sliding door allowing outside access?

    rodsan asked 8 months ago

    1. A housing provider can’t be confirmed until the rezoning, road closure and subdivision approvals are obtained and the sale of the land is approved by Council. Once the land sale is approved the housing provider will be required to engage with the community and share key details of the development, like the service model, the number of units and the priority population it will be serving.

    1. The exact timing of construction is not known.  First the rezoning,  road closure and subdivision approvals must be obtained. Then the land will be sold and the developer will commence their design and apply for building and development permits. 

    1. The building size and design will be determined at the development permit stage. RA7 allows for a multi unit housing up to four storeys, or 14.5 m (47.5 ft).

    2. Under the proposed RA7 Zone, developments typically build out around 90 units/ha and the proposed multi-unit housing site area is approximately 0.6 ha.  Project details such as the number of bedrooms, unit size, balconies, etc. is not known at this time.


  • 5. Where is the nearest Rec Centre, swimming pool, gymnasium in relation to Apartment block tentatively being built in Athlone rezone area? 6. Where are the nearest existing grocery stores in relation to purposed Apartment block in Athone? 7. There is no mention of a parking lot for residents to park their vehicles in the rezoning plans provided? Is a parking lot being considered, if so could you please provide a size and location of same in relation to the apartment block being considered? 8. The rezoning plan make mention of Convenience Retail Stores and Speciality Food Services that may include Child Care Services. Of the total number of homeless people slated to move into the purposed rezoning apartment block how many are young enough to require day care? 9. I’m interested in number of police calls in the Athlone subdivision of the City along with any crime breakdowns and if these calls or reports are coming from one particular location within Athlone? Thanks

    rodsan asked 8 months ago

    The Athlone Community League (playground & skating rink) is about 550 m away.  The Calder Public Library (which has play fields) is about 850 m away.  The Grand Trunk Fitness & Leisure Centre is about 3.2 km away.

    (Please note: distances were measured from the northeastern most corner of the site.)

    6.  The nearest grocery stores are: 

    • Lucky Supermarket 2.3 km
    • Superstore 2.4 km

    • FreshCo 2.4 km

    7.  Since Council’s approval of Open Option Parking in 2020, there are no minimum parking requirements in the Zoning Bylaw. This allows developers, homeowners and businesses to decide how much on-site parking to provide. Any on site parking would be provided within the proposed RA7 parcel.

    8.  I cannot answer that question with certainty.  Please note that Supportive Housing is intended for long-term stable housing for people who may have experienced homelessness, domestic violence or other circumstances, making it challenging to maintain conventional housing.  It would be fair to assume some future residents may have children that may require day care services.  Note that the zoning allows for a variety of uses, but not all will be developed on this site.

    9.  Crime statistics can be viewed at:

    https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CrimeFiles/NeighbourhoodCrimeMapping

  • 10. According to your rezoning plan the City is proposing to close a portion of the undeveloped 131 Street road right of way located south of 128 Ave. (a) When I viewed the above location via Google maps it shows 131 St NW as an alley which runs both north and south across 128 Ave. The Google map does show 131 St NW as a street, however there is no street sign indicating same. The map that you provided as part of your rezoning package doesn’t even match the Google map at all, and I’m wondering why this has happened? (b) When I viewed your so called 131 Street NW from all accounts it looks like an alley which matches the other streets in the area. Does this mean that you’re going to close off the alley(street) accessibility to all the people whose residences are located on the alley (west) side of 130 St NW between 128 St and 127 St NW? Several have garages and storage shed which are laid out in should a manor that will only work if those residences have alley access. Has anyone from you planning department actually viewed this area in person before you created all your recommendation and rezoning changes? Thanks

    rodsan asked 7 months ago

    The City uses a legal map base which is based on legal lot lines that have been surveyed and registered at the Land Titles Office. Google Maps uses satellite images and GPS data for way finding; it is not intended to be a legal representation of lots and roads.  

    The 131 Street road right-of-way proposing to be closed was not built as a road, and as such would not be seen in person or on Google maps. However, it still exists as a legal road-right-of-way, rather than a titled lot, and therefore needs to be closed by-law in order to become a titled lot.  The existing built alley is not being closed.  

  • Why are so many supportive housing units located in the north west? There is Westmount, Inglewood, Wellington and now this one. Also, I see many people looking at the signage posted, however, other forums to provide feedback are very poorly advertised. I stumble across this one and that is by accident. Is there going to be a community forum to learn more about this project? How many are in the southwest? Also why on earth would you put housing around a grain elevator? And so close too! There is a reason why they are closing them.

    ellwhy asked 7 months ago

    The City has helped create more than 2700 new units of affordable housing in more than 30 neighbourhoods since 2019. The City has a goal to create 16% affordable housing in every neighbourhood in Edmonton. 

    As of 2018, fewer than 1% of Athlone's housing units were non-market affordable housing.

    A notification sign has been placed on site and an advance notice regarding the applications was mailed to landowners within 61 meters of the subject property in July, in accordance with the Municipal Government Act requirements for rezoning applications.  In addition to these notices, this Engage Edmonton page was initiated to gather more feedback and notices were again sent to owners within 61m of the subject site on Sept 19.

    The next opportunity to comment will be at the City Council Public Hearing, and notices with the specific date will be sent to all property owners within a minimum of 60 metres and the community league as well, this would be on November 20 or December 6.

    The proximity to the grain elevator is being evaluated in a risk assessment which will advise on any setback requirements, which are generally 35m.  If the risk assessment advises against residential development the proposal will be re-evaluated.

  • 11. Effective today: Oct 06, 2023, how many homeless people in Edmonton qualify for support housing?

    rodsan asked 7 months ago

    According to Homeward Trust’s By Name List, there are 3,101 people experiencing homelessness as of October 10, 2023. This includes people who are in temporary or precarious housing situations, as well as people accessing emergency shelters or sleeping outside. 

    Residents are referred to a supportive housing site based on their support requirements and what the specific site offers in terms of support and programming. The referral is part of a coordinated placement process done with Homeward Trust, Alberta Health Services and supportive housing operators.

    In 2018, the City identified the need for around 900 new units of supportive housing to meet the demand. More than 600 units have been constructed since. The need continues to grow and new targets will be shared in the updated Affordable Housing Strategy.