The City has received a revised rezoning application from Stantec Consulting Ltd. The current zone is the Urban Facilities Zone (UF) and the proposed zones are the Medium Scale Residential Zone (RM h23); the Small-Medium Scale Residential Transition Zone (RSM h14); and the Small-Medium Scale Residential Transition Zone (RSM h12).

Proposed Rezoning - MacEwan

The proposed zones would allow:

RM h23:

• Multi-unit residential development.
• Limited commercial opportunities at ground level.
• A maximum height of 23.0 metres (approximately 6 storeys).
• A maximum floor area ratio of 3.0.
• A minimum density of 75 dwellings per hectare.

RSM h14:

• Small to medium scale residential built forms including row housing and multi-unit housing.
• A maximum height of 14.0 metres (approximately 4 storeys).
• A maximum site coverage of 60%.
• A minimum density of 45 dwellings/ha.

RSM h12:

• Small to medium scale residential built forms including row housing and multi-unit housing.
• A maximum height of 12.0 m (approximately 3 storeys).
• A maximum site coverage of 60%.
• A minimum density of 45 dwellings/ha.

Associated Proposed Southwest District Plan Amendment:

The Southwest District Plan (SDP) identifies the site for Urban Service, which is a land use category for uses such as institutions and community services. To facilitate the rezoning, the application proposes to

• Amend the SDP by changing the site’s land use category from Urban Services to Urban Mix. Urban Mix is a land use category that allows for a mixture of uses including residential and commercial development; and
• Expand the Ellerslie Road Secondary Corridor to include the entire proposed RM h23 site. The proposed RSM h14 and RSM h12 portions remain outside the corridor.

Aerial Image Showing Proposed Amendment to the Ellerslie Road Secondary Corridor

Original Rezoning vs Revised Rezoning:

Initially the Medium Scale Residential Zone (RM h16) was proposed for the middle and northern portion of the site, but after feedback from the City and the response to initial public engagement, the applicant chose to propose RSM h14 and RSM h12 instead of RM h16 as shown in the images below. The applicant recently updated the on-site rezoning signs to reflect the revised rezoning.

The change away from the RM h16.0 Zone means that the northern portion of the site would no longer have opportunities for commercial development and the general scale of the building would be smaller.

Original Rezoning (No Longer Applicable)

Revised Rezoning

A Land Development Application (LDA) will be submitted when a developer wants to complete a build on a piece of land that does not currently allow for that kind of build. The LDA proposes a change in zoning, which are the rules for what can be built on the land. Only City Council has the authority to change zoning through a bylaw. The LDA process creates a bylaw for Council’s consideration and, if approved, the rules (zoning) for what can be built on the land are changed.

There are three main groups who facilitate the Land Development Application process:

1) Developers (the Applicant) will submit a Land Development Application (LDA) when they intend on starting a development on a piece of land not currently zoned for their desired build.

2) City Planners (the Project Team) will receive this LDA from the applicant. They will coordinate a review by many different experts from within and outside City Administration to develop an overall recommendation to City Council. This review includes technical and legal aspects as well as a comparison of the proposal with Council approved policies and planning principles. They will also initiate a public engagement process, with support from other City staff. This engagement process will collect feedback from Edmontonians who may be impacted by the rezoning. More information on how this process works can be found in the ‘How is the feedback collected on this page used?’ section below.

3) City Council (Decision Makers) are the final decision makers on whether or not an LDA bylaw will be approved, thereby rezoning the land. They will make this decision at a Public Hearing. In this Hearing, City Planners will present the LDA to Council, outline their planning analysis and share a summary of engagement feedback. The developer may also be in attendance to present their proposal and answer questions from Council.

The public has two main points that they can provide feedback on a proposed LDA:

1) Public Engagement with City Planners - the public are able to provide feedback directly to City staff while the Land Development Application is in the engagement phase before it is brought to council. That feedback will be shared with Council in summary form, which will provide necessary context for their decision making.

2) Council Public Hearing - the public may register and attend the Public Hearing about the LDA. Here, they can speak directly with council and share their thoughts, before the vote is cast.

The role of the public when participating in engagement activities for proposed rezonings is at the ADVISE level of the City’s Public Engagement Spectrum. This means that the City will use any feedback you share to:

• Inform the City’s planning analysis and ensure all factors are taken into consideration
• Help inform conversations with the applicant about making revisions to address concerns
• Summarize feedback for City Council so they are aware of the public’s perspectives prior to making a decision at Public Hearing

A What We Heard report that summarises the feedback received is posted online and provided to the Ward Councillor as well as anyone who registers and provides feedback through this page or by contacting the file planner directly.

City planners use the Public Engagement Charter for rezonings as a guide when determining what type of engagement activities are most appropriate to help inform rezoning proposal reviews

Please Note: Because standard zones apply to multiple sites across the city, the City cannot adjust or customize the individual regulations within these zones. When rezoning to a Direct Control zone (DC), there is opportunity for public engagement to influence adjustments to the proposed site specific regulations because these zones are only applied to a specific site or area.

Public Hearing

Once Administration completes its review and has determined its recommendation and the applicant is ready to take the application to City Council for a decision, the City sets a Public Hearing date. Notices are sent to all property owners within a minimum of 60 metres of the site in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw. In addition, notices of Public Hearing are sent to affected community leagues and business associations advising them of the Public Hearing date and how to participate.

Register to Speak to Council or Submit Comments

Public Hearings are an important part of the engagement process for rezonings. Once the hearing agenda is posted, members of the public can register to speak at the City Council Public Hearing to share their views on the proposed rezoning directly with the Council.

Written comments can also be submitted to City Council through the Office of the City Clerk. Edmontonians can also watch the Public Hearing online.

If the Application is Approved

If the rezoning is approved by Council, the next step is for the developer to apply for development and building permits to start construction. Timelines for submitting these applications and starting construction are typically at the developer’s discretion.