LDA20-0216 Strathcona The Baron Rezoning

Whyte Ave needs more residential units for safety, vibrancy, and to support the local businesses

This is a terrible idea. Enough with the condos. Leave historic old strathcona alone.

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The Developer plans to benefit from a prime location without giving anything back. Indeed, it is taking away. If they came up with a plan to incorporate the existing structure, I'd be willing to listen.

The Archibald block is a part of the fabric of one of the few relatively intact historical areas left in the city. Why isnt the developer even attempting to keep the facade? Further, the proportions and details of the proposed replacement are a poor and cheap facsimile of the surrounding character of Whyte Avenue. Please do the right thing and do not approve this proposal as it presently stands. From what I see in the comments so far, your constituents are overwhelmingly opposed to this proposal. I cannot see how in good conscience this could be approved.

I am absolutely against this development. The unique character and heritage of Old Strathcona is what draws essential visitor traffic and business to the area - and is why many of us have set longterm roots in the neighbourhood. This block already has another tower that barely fits in, another one would gut the heart of the heart of the city. It would feel like slicing Whyte Ave up the middle.

I have to wonder if this will be like the Southpark on Whyte building where we see one version of interesting concept art, and then the developer switches it to something completely generic after they've won over the public's approval for rezoning. I am opposed, I believe the guidelines exist for a reason and that taller building look out of place and change the character of Whyte ave.

Strathcona Community League opposes this development for the following reasons:

We recognize that the project has some merits, particularly its precedent-setting use of mass timber. The League feels, however, that this development is a nice building in the wrong location. The proposed 9-11 (TBD) storey building itself is ill-suited to this site for a variety of reasons, but the most critical issue is that currently this site is part of the DC1 zoning that protects the heritage core of old Strathcona. The intent of this zoning is to put strict controls on the forms of development that can happen in this area, with greater scrutiny of proposals than is typical elsewhere in the city. All the other recent developments that have happened in this area (Crawford Block, Strathcona hotel, Raymond Block, etc.) have been zoned as "sub-zones" within this DC1 heritage zone.

This development would remove this site from the DC1 zoning, converting it to a DC2. It would effectively carve out a chunk of our heritage protected zone for the sake of bypassing the controls that come with it. The approval for the Raymond Block, which did not follow ARP/Plan Whyte, was expressly understood as not setting precedent for future rezoning applications. All of this would have been known at the time that the developer purchased this property. The question is: do the protections offered by the CoE DC1 zoning mean anything?

The proposed rezoning and development concept (height, form, massing etc…) is also contrary to the recommendations of Plan Whyte and the Strathcona ARP, which aims to strengthen the heritage character of the corridor -- and importantly, were the outcome of recent extensive public engagement about what the Strathcona community would like Whyte Avenue to be. Against the express wishes of the community, the heritage character of the area, and along Whyte Avenue itself will be further eroded.

The Archibald Block is in the heart of the Provincial Heritage Area which the City of Edmonton requested and committed to providing stewardship to preserve the area. It is not apparent how this application strengthens the historic identity of the area The Archibald Block is on the municipal Inventory of Historic Resources, it is not however on the Register of Municipal Historic Resources. This means it is recognized as a valuable historic building, but is not legally protected from demolition -- which is why this development proposal is possible. It is however one of the relatively few resources in Edmonton that connects the story of Edmonton’s early Lebanese Muslim and its important contributions to the community and in northern Alberta, and should be recognized as such.

There are possible versions of redevelopment of this site that are in keeping with the existing DC1 and Plan Whyte. Unfortunately the current project proposal being pursued by the developer is not one of them, and for this reason the Strathcona Community League opposes this project.

Surly there’s a better place for this monstrosity. Just another tall building to cast its shadow across neighbourhoods, restaurants and patios.Hey, why not put it on the legislature grounds, Telus field or the old power plant OR better yet, right in the backyard of the hotel Macdonald.

I am totally against the redevelopment of this site. I have lived my whole life in Edmonton and it sickens me to think of all the historic buildings that have been demolished. It seems every city council gets baffled by "What is Edmontons identity". Well with each historic building that is demolished a part of our identity goes with it. So maybe this council should man up for once and say NO to this developer. I am definitely against it.

We own a house very close by, at 10542 - 83 avenue. Our house was built in 1907. Every day more and more of Old Strathcona's historical properties are being demolished, or "moved". It is all being done to put money in the pockets of developers. What was the point of spending millions on the bicycle lanes along 83 avenue? In the end these buildings will cause an increase in traffic, as if it is not difficult enough to park in the neighborhood. What about the historical character? All you are doing is putting pressure on us who own houses in the neighborhood to sell our homes to greedy developers. Ours is one of the last few houses left along 83 avenue. How long before the same greedy developers come knocking at our door and trying to bully their way into forcing us to sell? Why don't they demolish Old Scona High School too? Our home backs into it. No, we don't agree to this. We STRONGLY OBJECT to destroying our neighborhood's historical character. What guarantee do we have that this won't put further pressure on everyone to turn the neighborhood into more highly priced condominiums for upper middle class people? You might as well bring a bulldozer and demolish our home.

Build the proposed building somewhere with an open field - there's plenty of space. Don't knock down a historic building just to cram it into an area that is appealing only BECAUSE of the historic buildings! If everything is replaced, there's little appeal to be in the area in the first place and it will be lost to time.

I am very concerned about this development proposal. A build of this size does not fit in this community and match the character of the neighbourhood. We should protect not destroy historical buildings like this. Council, please do not approve this project!

I lived and worked in the Old Strathcona area for years. I believe there should be no exception given to this developer. If they do develop this site it should be ONLY 4 stories and the build should retain the charm of the historic period were are attempting to maintain. Putting a high rise in this area will impede the look and the natural lighting of Whyte Ave. This would also negate all the work that has recently taken place to ensure we maintain this historic area. Why should we have spent all the money and community involvement to give way a developer who only wants to make money.

Stop knocking down historical buildings for ugly unnecessary towers. The charm of white ave comes from its history. We’ve already lost enough historical buildings. Leave this one alone.

Once again we find developers making a mockery of the Strathcona Area Redevelopment Plan and the overwhelming residents wishes to preserve this area as outline in this plan. I am very strongly against any rezoning to the DC2 provision as continued developments of structures higher than 4 stories is going to have a marked change in character of this historic area. What makes this area of Strathcona so unique is the low rise structures that impart the small town feel that is at the core of the present designation. Adding more high rise structures is going to alter the feel and flavour of the area into just another down town high rise centre which is neither appealing nor conducive to a vibrant walkable district. At some point in time the city must learn to say no to these developers whose main goal is to maximize the return on investment. Vibrant liveable communities should be the goal for develpments in any community and this proposal is counter to that.

I am shocked another hi rise is being considered in a historic zone of Whyte Avenue. I strongly oppose this development.

I think this construction is a horrendous idea, and will irrevocably damage the historic and independent feel of Whyte Ave. The city has so few historic buildings remaining as it is, and the Archibald Block has important ties to the neighbourhood's heritage! To tear it down for yet another bland condo tower would be horrible disappointing. Why shouldn't these sorts of buildings be used to provide revitalisation in areas with derelic buildings, not an area with many independent businesses that are patroned largely by foot traffic?

Please reconsider granting this approval. It's time for Edmonton to celebrate its heritage and preserve the unique feel of the Strathcona neighbourhood, while also saving the few historic buildings that remain, instead of just putting a plaque on the side of a new development to show what used to be there. It's embarassing how lttle we take pride in our city's past, and Edmonton and its history deserve better than this generic eyesore on one of its most celebrated streets.

We'd have to be crazy to approve this. Surely if areas such as Old Strathcona are of value to all of us, and they should be, they are because of their character. Corner by corner, building by building, the area as we know it is being disrupted, damaged and destroyed. And really, to what end? To put up another 10 story generic building that, if not here, will be built elsewhere close by. We've spent generations in Edmonton destroying our past, can we not be the generation that says no more, that says we value the past and that what we have built means something other than just a platform to build a generic future? Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

This needs to be protected as so many of Edmonton's historic buildings have been needlessly knocked down. I do not support this.