LDA20-0216 Strathcona The Baron Rezoning

Hello, I am against the application. Approval of the application will undermine the whole purpose of the heritage area. Whyte avenue has already seen fundamental changes to the area over the past decade and has lost the soul of what made it unique. There is no reason why the building couldn’t be built on a different lot outside of the area. Unfortunately the project will be approved as Edmonton lets developers run wild and often with an eye to a short sighted vision. Add this one to the list of historic buildings demolished in Edmonton, with developers benefiting and society as a whole taking the loss.

What was the point of creating a heritage area if we keep allowing the heritage buildings to be demolished? Our inventory of heritage buildings in strathcona is being reduced gradually : the minchau, the etzio building the two most recent losses. If we allow this amendment, you’ve opened the door to every heritage building? What’s next, the empty Princess Theatre as an 11 story tower? When will the line be drawn. We have examples of excellent heritage redevelopment in the area, most notably Beljan’s work in the community. All developers should be held to the same standard.

What was the point of creating a heritage area if we keep allowing the heritage buildings to be demolished? Our inventory of heritage buildings in strathcona is being reduced gradually : the minchau, the etzio building the two most recent losses. If we allow this amendment, you’ve opened the door to every heritage building? What’s next, the empty Princess Theatre as an 11 story tower? When will the line be drawn. We have examples of excellent heritage redevelopment in the area, most notably Beljan’s work in the community. All developers should be held to the same standard.

Removed by moderator.

Please leave it alone! Edmonton has destroyed its historical buildings too many times in the past!!!!!!!!! Please stop heightening the ave.. we need it cute and accessible, not tall! Do that in downtown.

I'm pro development and increasing density, but as Edmonton has no lack of low denisty property near to this area that could be developed without destroying this or any historic building I don't support this.
Height isn't the deciding factor for me, it's preserving heritage.

This application should be denied. It does not comply with current zoning or the Strathcona Area Redevelopment plan. Therefore, it does not fit within the spirit or existing guidelines for this location.

I am extremely pro-development and am not bothered by any of the height/parking/etc. concerns that are usually raised - plus I love the idea of bring additional residential units on/near Whyte Ave. However, I just can't support this development if it requires the demolition of a historical building this significant, particularly as it remains occupied and part of a healthy, vibrant streetscape. I could get on board with the proposal if an extremely faithful retention/re-creation of the (pre-renovation) building facade was incorporated into the development.

Despite my non support, I would urge the applicant to replicate this development concept elsewhere in the city - it really is an excellent proposal other than the demolition of the existing building.

What is the point of having a Heritage Character District just to allow any opportunistic property developer to come in and tear down historic buildings only to put up another crackerbox full of nondescript condos that no one can afford?
This is not redevelopment to enhance the character of the neighbourhood.
This is redevelopment to fill someone's pockets with money, history and community be damned.
This city has a woeful record of consigning our heritage buildings to the dustbin of history.
A mock Edwardian facade and some old brick are a poor substitute for a building with spirit and a past that tells us where we came from.
Come on, Edmonton... we need to do better.

What is the point of having a Heritage Character District just to allow any opportunistic property developer to come in and tear down historic buildings only to put up another crackerbox full of nondescript condos that no one can afford?
This is not redevelopment to enhance the character of the neighbourhood.
This is redevelopment to fill someone's pockets with money, history and community be damned.
This city has a woeful record of consigning our heritage buildings to the dustbin of history.
A mock Edwardian facade and some old brick are a poor substitute for a building with spirit and a past that tells us where we came from.
Come on, Edmonton... we need to do better.

Do not rezone this site. The increase of modern towers to Whyte Avenue has been detrimental to its character and historic spirit. Creating more residences will not improve traffic flow, walkability, or any other issue that the street already faces as you would have to redesign all transit routes, intersections, and surrounding streets to do that. The new residences that have already been built do not meet the criteria of ensuring "that future renovation and redevelopment of surrounding buildings result in developments which are compatible in architectural and built form with the historic buildings of the area." I have no faith that any new build by the city in this location would fix any pre-existing issues in the area, and all the faith that after too long of being an awful construction zone, the building would be an eyesore too.

As a historian I am annoyed with the fact that Edmonton is so lack with its preservation of history. I think this building should remain standing as it is an iconic piece of architecture along Whyte Ave. Edmonton should put in more care for its historical buildings. They might not seem important but they are. This is an important part of Arab Albertan history and it does not feel right to allow it to just be rezoned. With renovation it could be made to fit a more modern aesthetic, but that is not truly needed.

There are enough pointless parking lots and empty sites around Whyte ave to accommodate tower development already. Rezoning this site is unnecessary. I do not see the need for another tower on what is already a corner whose heritage feel is continually being diminished by insipid contemporary buildings.

There are enough pointless parking lots and empty sites around Whyte ave to accommodate tower development already. Rezoning this site is unnecessary. I do not see the need for another tower on what is already a corner whose heritage feel is continually being diminished by insipid contemporary buildings.

This is a horrible idea. It takes away from the character and the walkability of Whyte. There have already been too many compromises in the area, blocking sunlight to the street and creating a “just another tower” feeling.

Increasing the residential density of this area is very good. As someone living in the nearby community, I support this. Traffic in the area is already quite a problem, as people drive from all over the city to visit whyte ave. The city should make the pedestrian scramble at 105 street and 82nd permanent, and should continue improving transit access to and from whyte avenue; in particular, the decision not to run a street level LRT line down whyte was disappointing and should be revisited in light of planned increases to residential density.

subsequent renovations have taken most of the character from the south-facing façade of the building, which is the main point of interest in a boomtown architectural style. If it could be restored, keeping the historic south-facing façade would be desirable.

Increasing the residential density of this area is very good. As someone living in the nearby community, I support this. Traffic in the area is already quite a problem, as people drive from all over the city to visit whyte ave. The city should make the pedestrian scramble at 105 street and 82nd permanent, and should continue improving transit access to and from whyte avenue; in particular, the decision not to run a street level LRT line down whyte was disappointing and should be revisited in light of planned increases to residential density.

subsequent renovations have taken most of the character from the south-facing façade of the building, which is the main point of interest in a boomtown architectural style. If it could be restored, keeping the historic south-facing façade would be desirable.