The City has received an application from B&A Studios proposing a new Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan (NASP) within the University of Alberta Farm area; located between 122 Street NW to the east, Whitemud Creek to the west, the Grandview Heights neighbourhood to the north, and the Lansdowne neighbourhood to the south. This plan is being referred to by the applicant as West 240.

The proposed plan will provide the opportunity for a new neighbourhood with residential and non-residential land uses (e.g. roads, utilities, parks, schools, commercial amenities, etc.) throughout. The proposed plan is intended to outline the:

• vision of the neighbourhood;
• type and location of land uses;
• residential densities and forecasted population;
• location of major roads and utilities (water, storm, and sanitary sewers);
• location of future park and school sites;
• retention of natural areas; and,
• general staging pattern for development.

If approved, the plan would provide direction for rezoning, subdivision, and development of the neighborhood.

Key features of the plan include:

• A variety of housing typologies including single detached housing, row housing and multi-unit housing.
• A mixed use area that will provide access to services, amenities, and employment opportunities.
• An open space system that includes a series of parks and greenway connections, including the opportunity for an urban format school.
• A mobility network supporting walking, cycling and driving, as well as a transit hub providing direct service to the South Campus/Fort Edmonton Park LRT station and Transit Centre.

There are four main groups who facilitate the NASP process:

The Applicant

• Considers feedback from the City and the public as they work with the City through the review process to refine their application.
• Changes to the application are at the discretion of the applicant.

The City of Edmonton

• Assesses impacts and mitigation measures to surrounding land uses and infrastructure.
• Provides public engagement opportunities to assess insights from surrounding residents and the general public.
• Ensures development enabled by the plan is in alignment with the goals and objectives of The City Plan and any other applicable statutory plans.
• Makes a recommendation to City Council on whether to support or not support the application at a public hearing.

The Public

• Provides feedback and perspectives to the City and the applicant regarding the potential impacts of the proposal.

City Council

• Makes the final decision to approve or not approve the application at a public hearing, based on consideration of public feedback and the City’s analysis and recommendation.

The role of the public when participating in engagement activities for a new neighbourhood plan is at the ADVISE level of the City’s Public Engagement Spectrum. This means that the City will use any feedback you share to:

• Inform the City’s planning analysis and ensure all factors are taken into consideration
• Help inform conversations with the applicant about making revisions to address concerns
• Summarise feedback for City Council so they are aware of the public’s perspectives prior to making a decision at Public Hearing

A What We Heard report that summarises the feedback received is posted online and provided to the Ward Councilor. Anyone who contacts the file planner directly, or signs up for email alerts on Engaged Edmonton will also be notified.

City Planners use the Public Engagement Charter for a proposed new neighbourhood plan as a guide when determining what type of engagement activities are most appropriate to help inform the review.

City Review and Engagement

In addition to gathering public feedback, City staff are reviewing this application to assess impacts and mitigation measures to surrounding infrastructure and land uses, and to ensure development enabled by the plan is in alignment with City goals and policies.

When additional public engagement opportunities become available, email updates will be provided to those interested and postcards will be sent to surrounding residents and community leagues.

Public Hearing

Once the application is ready, a Public Hearing date will be set. Notices about this date are sent to all surrounding property owners and residents. In addition, notices of the Public Hearing are sent to affected community leagues advising them of the Public Hearing date and how to participate.

Register to Speak to Council or Submit Comments

Public Hearings are an important part of the engagement process for neighbourhood plans. Once the hearing agenda is posted, members of the public can register to speak at the City Council Public Hearing to share their views on the neighbourhood plan directly with the Council.

Written comments can also be submitted to City Council through the Office of the City Clerk. Edmontonians can also watch the Public Hearing online.

If the Application is Approved

If the plan is approved by Council, this will then provide direction for rezoning, subdivision, and development of the neighborhood.