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The City Plan identifies 19 Priority Growth Areas, which are collections of urban centres (nodes) and main streets (corridors) in the redeveloping area of the city (roughly inside the Anthony Henday) anticipated to experience the most near-term growth. The City analyzed these 19 areas and has selected five for targeted, City-initiated rezonings to help encourage more housing development and business investment in these important areas.

Creating a strong system of nodes and corridors that encourages transit-oriented development is an important part of achieving The City Plan vision. The City Plan envisions a healthy, urban, climate-resilient city where Edmontonians have access to a variety of housing and transportation options and can easily meet their daily needs close to home.

Why the University-Garneau Major Node?

The University-Garneau Major Node vacancy rate was around 1% in 2023. There is a significant need to increase the amount of available housing, which is one of the key reasons this area was selected for targeted rezonings.

Not all land within the area will be rezoned. The City is recommending selecting key sites near 109 Street, 87 Avenue, and south of 82 Avenue, where policy in The City Plan and the forthcoming District Plans supports additional housing.

Learn more about the University-Garneau Major Node and why it was selected.

What Happens Next?
The City will use feedback, along with technical and policy considerations, to confirm which sites will be selected for rezoning. This includes what new standard zones and zone modifiers should be applied to guide the maximum height and footprints of buildings to ensure appropriate transition to the surrounding neighbourhood and which buildings should be required to have ground-floor, street-facing businesses.

A formal proposal to rezone the selected sites will then be prepared and submitted for review. City Council makes the final decision on all proposed rezonings at a public hearing.

Feedback received throughout the rezoning project will be summarized in a What We Heard report for City Council to ensure they are aware of Edmontonians’ perspectives prior to making a decision. Edmontonians will have the opportunity to share their thoughts directly with Council by registering to speak when the proposed rezonings advance to a public hearing in 2025.