Residents of Edmonton’s Crestwood neighbourhood are raising concerns about proposed eight-unit developments submitted ahead of a zoning rollback, while their city councillor says no permits have been approved on the street at the centre of the dispute.

Global News reports that residents fear applications are being rushed through before Edmonton must comply with a provincial order reversing housing rules. Coun. Reed Clarke, who represents ward Nakota Isga, said city administration has assured him permits are not being fast-tracked.

The dispute includes proposed redevelopment on 143 Street near 97 Avenue. Residents say two single-family homes could become what they call “eightplex sandwiches,” with larger multi-unit buildings on either side.

“Eight units anywhere on this block, we feel is unacceptable and just not practical for this area,” resident Evan Wood told Global News.

On Oct. 8, the provincial government ordered Edmonton to revert to previous rules governing housing types, density and height, and restore minimum on-site parking requirements that existed before 2020. Council has until Jan. 22, 2027, to comply.

The city said complete applications received by Nov. 8 for affected development in its RS zone were expected to be reviewed before the rollback deadline, depending on application volume and service timelines. That did not amount to a guarantee of approval.

Residents told Global News that multiple applications had been submitted before that date. Wood said the timing left neighbours feeling the permits were being expedited.

Clarke said he understood concerns about large, mid-block developments, but his understanding from administration was that the review timeline had not changed. He also said speeding up the process would require resources and time the city does not have.

Edmonton’s 2023 zoning changes opened much of the city to denser housing redevelopment, with the aim of addressing affordability and population growth. Infill supporters argue multiplexes can accommodate more residents in existing neighbourhoods without expanding into agricultural land.

Opponents in established communities have raised concerns about parking, building quality, property values and changes to neighbourhood character. Crestwood resident Terry Paranych, a real estate agent and developer who builds single-family infill, told Global News he opposes large eightplexes in the middle of residential blocks.

With the proposals still unconfirmed, Wood said residents hope an appeal could produce a favourable outcome if they decide to challenge the developments.

Sources