LDA20-0216 Strathcona The Baron Rezoning

I think the current height restrictions should be respected. There are too many exceptions being made that will negatively impact the streetscape on Whyte Ave, and else in the city.

The proposed building has beautiful heritage architecture that fits in with the architecture of Whyte Ave. This will improve the neighbourhood and the height and density will not have a negative impact on the street.

I do not support this project. This looks to me like yet another half baked effort to “preserve” one of Edmonton’s historic buildings. The request for an exemption shows the developer is willing to pay lip service to historical significance, but really just wants free rein. If the city allows that, it will fail to protect one of Edmonton’s few character neighbourhoods. Heritage buildings, regardless of aesthetic appeal, are non-renewable resources and should be protected as such.

The city needs more tall timber buildings, they are sustainable and this is a very clean looking addition to Whyte Ave., which needs higher density residential to prevent the current die off that's happening with the existing small businesses & low traffic flows.

• The proposed building has beautiful heritage podium architecture that fits in with the architectural vernacular of Whyte Ave, with sustainable, mass timber construction. This will improve the neighbourhood and the height and density will not have a negative impact on the street or neighbourhood.

I oppose the Baron Development as presented.

Since the Archibald Block is listed on the Inventory of Historic Resources in Edmonton, the intrinsic value this building contributes to Whyte Avenue should be recognized as significant - regardless of legal designation and efforts should be made to maintain those contributions.

As the developer was aware of the current Historical Commercial (DC1) zoning and the Strathcona Area Redevelopment plan policy related to building heights, there is no need to add this site as an exception to the height strategy.

Furthermore, developments around Whyte Avenue (Tipton Investment Company Building, Ortlieb Block, Crawford Block. Strathcona Hotel) have established that the current zoning and development plans effectively balance the history of the Strathcona area with objectives of the developer. The Baron Development should also comply with current zoning and development plans of the area.

The assumption that the Baron’s 65 residential units and handful of commercial spaces will contribute significantly to the communities residential inventory is mute. Currently approved proposed, and larger residential developments plans south of Whyte avenue on 105 st. (Mezzo, South Scona Parking Lot rezoning) have made no progress in supplying additional residential inventory as market demand for those types of developments are low.

If this developer lacks the creativity to work within the current zoning and development plans, they should find a site where they can generate the return on their investment that does not negatively impacting the residents and business who do value the protections the Strathcona Area Redevelopment Plan intended.

As I look at the recent development to Whyte Avenue, this property seems to fit within the level of accepted development. I support the addition of more residential units in this area, with a hope that it will aid in the revitalization of some of the struggles that the businesses in this area have been facing. The consideration to set the tower back from the podium should maintain a high level of engagement for people walking the Ave. This is another opportunity to create more infill residential in an effort to slow the urban sprawl in our city.

This proposed plan along with other developments in Strathcona (i.e. Michau Block) is disconcerting. While it is reassuring to know there is a plan to preserve historical resources, it is problematic that the developer and owners would flout that plan thus demolishing the historical character of this unique heritage area that gives the neighbourhood the charm that draws investment to it. The proposal does very little in my opinion to preserve the historical character of the Provincial Historical Area, an area that is a tourist and economic driver in large part because of its historical nature. I feel council should require more changes from the developer to preserve the historical façade, if the project is to go forward.

I think this project, and it's proposed height of 9 levels, will be the best thing for Whyte Ave in years. Short term, this will provide a meaningful economic injection, and long term will will add the vibrancy and long term viability of Whyte Ave.

1. Whyte Ave needs more residential units for safety, vibrancy, and to support the local businesses.
2. Whyte Ave is riddled with retail vacancies and new residential projects will help improve the urban realm by allowing new businesses to open, supported by residents.
3. Edmonton, Alberta, and Whyte Ave all need economic stability and recovery and a project like this is a positive for the street, city and province.
4. The proposed building has beautiful heritage podium architecture that fits in with the architectural vernacular of Whyte Ave, with sustainable, mass timber construction. This will improve the neighbourhood and the height and density will not have a negative impact on the street or neighbourhood.

Yes! I love the idea behind this rezoning. The current building is an eyesore and ought to make way for a beautiful new building. Who wouldn't want to live on Whyte Ave? And for the matter who wouldn't want more people living on Whyte Ave? Certainly not the businesses, festival organizers, and other residents (more people = more eyes/ears to improve safety). This seems like a no-brainer. I am very excited to see this proceed.

I do not support this development. Whyte Avenue is not a suitable location for housing. It is a major thoroughfare and truck route. With all the noise and vehicle exhaust, it is much better suited for retail only (fine to stop by, not nice to live on 24-7). I'm speaking as someone who has lived in several apartment buildings in Strathcona, Garneau and Downtown, and wishes there were less developments like this and more options on quiet streets.

I do not like this application. Council should not approve rezoning this property. Whyte Avenue’s historic character and human scale buildings draw people to the area.

The purpose of DC1 is clear- preserve buildings of historical significance and allow development. In this area of Edmonton there is a reason for this particular zoning and it should be respected. There change of zoning will devalue the existing character of the neighborhood with little benefit, particularly considering there are many other areas within Strathcona that are suitable for DC2 development. I would not support this rezoning.

A great deal of effort went into the developing of Plan Whyte to protect the Historic Area from developments of this kind. What is the point of developing such a plan if the a developer chooses to ignore it and the city allows it?
When the city approved the Mezzo, not only did they get burned by the developer, it set a precedent for other developers to follow that Old Strathcona was open to much higher density. They now see Old Strathcona strictly as a place for financial gain using designs that are more appropriate to a typical downtown urban core. They do not recognize the historical significance of the area. They also fail to see that it is the uniqueness of the area that is attractive to visitors. The low scale prairie architecture of Whyte Avenue has practically disappeared elsewhere. We have seen the historic area on Whyte Avenue whittled down to two blocks. If this building were approved we would be down to one block. If this were to happen what would be the point of a historic zone.
Far too often people look are buildings as individual blocks and fail to see that groupings of buildings of similar size, scale, materials and design have value. If I may make an analogy, forests are made up of individual trees. If we look at each tree separately we can make an argument that it is not significant in and of itself to warrant any type of action to save it. Applied repeatedly and over enough time the forest disappears. When that happens it becomes impossible to describe or have someone understand the concept of forest when all that is left is the odd tree here and there. This is what is happening in Old Strathcona. An Prairie town urban setting is being swallowed up by high-rises.

The renderings show an attractive design that fits in well with the street-level experience of the neighbourhood. The building on the site right now is in rough shape and I can just imagine the world of difference in energy efficiency between that and the proposed construction that will adhere to modern energy codes. The height restriction seems a bit silly considering that there are other buildings nearby that are just as tall (including the hotel right beside it!)
Also, this is a great opportunity to increase population density right on Whyte Ave. to support the business corridor.

We are losing our architectural heritage. Ugly as it is the Archibald Block is ours and should be kept

This project will be fantastic for Whyte Ave. It adds additional residential units on Whyte Ave which is critical for supporting local business in the area. The design incorporates heritage podium architecture that is in line with the architectural vernacular of Whyte Ave. Additionally, the project will utilize sustainable methods of construction. This is clearly a well thought out project that will be nothing but beneficial to Whyte Avenue and the surrounding area. I hope that these are the types of development and re-development projects that the City continues to pursue.

What is the point of the Strathcona ARP if the city is just going to make exceptions to it at every turn? Edmonton has made some good strides recently to try to preserve our architectural and cultural heritage before it's too late (after decades of neglect). This rezoning proposal must be rejected to preserve the history and character of this unique neighborhood, and respect the intent of the ARP.

A building need not be grand to be worthy of preservation. The 1909 Archibald Block is part of the dwindling historic streetscape on Whyte Avenue. We want to keep the old in Old Strathcona.

One of the distinctive features of Whyte Ave is the character of the facades. while it is inevitable that the properties along Whyte will be redeveloped since the structures are wearing out. However there is no reason that the most visual part of the street cannot be maintained. The south elevation in the application document is without merit. The Avenue deserves better especially if the City is granting a higher density. The front façade could be designed to be respectful of the history of the building and ideally could incorporate some of the elements of the Archibald Block façade as displayed in the old photo of the building. Since this is a DC2 such design requirements could be easily incorporated without impacting the developer's objectives.