FAQs
A Provincial Historic Area is a designation that can be applied in order to recognize and manage areas of historical and architectural significance. The Old Strathcona Provincial Historic Area is one of only two such areas in Alberta. The Provincial Historic Area designation for Old Strathcona is honourary in nature, as it includes no specific provisions to manage the heritage of the area. Rather the Old Strathcona Provincial Historic Area is managed by the City through powers associated with land use and development.
Anyone has the right to make an application for rezoning or to amend a plan, regardless of how recently direction for land use was given by City Council.
The proposed 3 storey commercial building north of the existing train station does follow this height strategy. The proposed 7 storey residential building south of the existing train station does not.
Administration’s overall recommendation to City Council will factor in the deviation from the recent amendments to the Strathcona Area Redevelopment Plan.
On June 23, 2020, City Council approved Open Option Parking, which gives developers’ flexibility to choose the amount of parking that they feel is appropriate for their projects. The parking supply for this project will accordingly be determined at the development permit stage, though the applicant has indicated that they do intend to provide on-site vehicular parking for the proposed residential building both at ground level and underground. The parking would be accessed from Gateway Boulevard NW at 80 Avenue NW.
The OSPPP is one of the recommendations of the planWhyte Study, and is a special study to determine the public spaces (parks, plazas, and streets) required to support development in and around Old Strathcona for future generations. It will focus on place-making opportunities for the City-owned Farmers Market parking lot and surrounding lands to inform Linear Public Space and Enhanced Civic Core opportunities. This initiative aligns with and supports Council’s ConnectEdmonton, The City Plan, and Breathe: Edmonton’s Green Network Strategy.
The Project is currently paused due to resource constraints. It is anticipated resourcing may become available near the end of 2021.
What is a Provincial Historic Area and what does that mean for redevelopment?
Recently amendments were made to the Strathcona Area Redevelopment Plan to incorporate recommendations from the planWhyte Land Use Study, including reaffirming height restrictions. Why is that not being followed?
Will vehicular parking be provided on site and if so, where will the parking be for this development?
What is the Old Strathcona Public Places Plan (OSPPP) and when is it happening?