Winter 2014
Parkallen
News In this issue… • Meet your Community League • Hall Happenings • Kids Corner • Classified
Residential Infills in our Community by Jesse Lafrance, Neighbourhood Development Director Development Permits and Variances: what they mean and why your input matters The City of Edmonton estimates that over the next 30 years, over 500,000 new residents will call Edmonton home. As demand for housing continues to increase, mature neighborhoods such as Parkallen will experience a surge in residential infills. While we acknowledge that there are different ideas about how to build and protect
healthy, adaptable, mature neighborhoods, we support the policy framework set forth by the mature neighborhood overlay, including zoning bylaws. A development permit is written approval from the City of Edmonton that ensures development complies with the Edmonton Zoning Bylaws. It is not uncommon for residential infills to seek permission from the city for a “variance” that allows them to act outside the existing
regulation. Most variances requested by homeowners are welcomed additions to our community and minor in nature. However, we ask the community to be prudent when reviewing notices from the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board as variances can have a direct impact on your property.
Letter of Notification When a Development Permit application is made and
Parkallen News the Development Officer determines that the proposed development does not comply with the regulations set out in the Mature Neighborhood Overlay, the Zoning Bylaw requires that the Current Planning Branch notify all property owners within a 60 metre (200 ft.) radius and the president of each affected Community League. Homeowners affected by a proposed development may also appeal if they disagree with the Development Officer’s decision to grant a permit.
2 The homeowner must submit the appeal in writing to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) within 14 days of the decision or attend the hearing in person. The decision made by the SDAB can be appealed through the Court of Appeal but only on point of law and jurisdiction: a costly endeavor for all parties. The purpose of providing the notice is to give homeowners who may be affected by these discretionary decisions an opportunity to register an appeal regarding the proposed
Winter 2014 development. It should not be assumed that the SDAB will side with the zoning bylaw(s) ; we therefor encourage all residents to be proactive in voicing their concerns. You can do that by writing a letter to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board or by reaching out to the Parkallen Community League. If you need assistance with interpreting a letter of notification, or filing a letter of appeal, we encourage you to reach out to your community development director at development@parkallen.com.
Join us at Parkallen Community Hall for
Snowfest February 23, 2014 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sleigh rides • Sledge hockey • Hotdogs • Prizes • Soccer Registration
Don’t forget to bring your entry for the colouring contest from the December issue! Stay up to date with Parkallen Community on Facebook
Winter 2014
3
Parkallen News
Meet your Community League people to keep active while enjoying our beautiful scenery.
Who inspires you? One word....Mom. My mom has always been so giving and kind to everyone she meets. She was not a nurse, but devoted many volunteer hours over 20+ years to giving back by volunteering at church and at a seniors’ care center. I think she gave me the inspiration to be a nurse, to help those in need.
Why do you volunteer for the Community League?
Allison Chevrette
This month we profile Alison Chevrette, Parkallen’s community league secretary.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Edmonton and lived across from Mill Creek ravine in Avonmore. I think that is where my love of trees and the outdoors is rooted!
When did you move to Parkallen? I moved into Parkallen in 1998. I had rented a basement suite for a year after I graduated from the nursing program at the UofA. On a walk home from one of my night shifts in 1999, I decided to take a different route and found a cute little grey bungalow that was for sale. I had recently gotten a realtor, and he was able to get me in to see the house
that night. I fell in love with it and bought it on the spot! My husband and I have since torn down our sweet little house to make more room for our family. We have two wonderful children who attend our beautiful Parkallen school! We love that our kids can walk to and from school in our safe and welcoming neighbourhood!
What do you like best about this community? To be honest, the first word that comes to mind... “everything”! We love the trees, the school, how kind our neighbours are, the beautiful new park and our awesome roads! We also love where Parkallen is situated. It is so easy to get anywhere! I walk or ride my bike to work as a nurse in the Stollery at the Uof A Hospital. Parkallen encourages
I volunteer because I like to give back, help out where I can. Helping is in my roots. I come from a long line of nurses so, I suppose, I can’t help myself! I love seeing others benefit from a combined group effort to “get the job done!.” I also love being around this great group of people at the league! Everyone does what they can to make our community even better. I also feel it is important for my kids to see that giving back is one of the most rewarding things one can do.
Tell us one thing that most people would be surprised to know about you. I can play the classical guitar. I know, not very cool! But when I was a teenager I did play the electric guitar; yes, very cool! Thank you Allison. Your cheerful demeanour makes our league meetings fun no matter what’s on the agenda. And your attention to detail helps us remember what we said we’d do! See you at SnowFest!
Parkallen News
4
Winter 2014
2014 Property Assessment Guide 2014 Property Assessment notices were mailed out to Parkallen residents in early January. Assessments are based on the market value of your property on July 1 of the year previous to the taxation year. Please see below for 2013-2014 median percentage changes for single family homes in the City of Edmonton, Ward 10 and Parkallen. 2013-2014 Total Assessment Percentage Changes Residential - Only Single Family Homes Class
Median % Change
City of Edmonton
2.50%
Ward 10
1.00%
Parkallen
2% Decrease to 1% Increase
Source: City of Edmonton 2013-2014 Property Assessment Maps If you have not received your 2014 Property Assessment, please visit The City of Edmonton website to view the ‘My Property’ tool which allows homeowners to view their 2014 assessment details, along with additional information surrounding their local ward, councilor and garbage collection schedule. You can also view Edmonton’s Property Assessment Maps to see if your 2014 home assessment is similar to neighboring homes as all property assessment information is made public. Please use the links below for additional information about properties in Edmonton: City of Edmonton: Property Assessment Map City of Edmonton: My Property
Y! O! G! A
NORTHERN RIVER YOGA AND KARATE SCHOOL
! ! Whether you dance, lift ! weights, play sports, run, or START do ! any other physical activity, yoga is central to ! strength, flexibility and focus. ! TO GET STARTED ! PHONE: 780.707.3693 VISIT: www.threebattles.com DROP IN: Saturdays 9:00 - 10:30 Belgravia Hall (11540-73 Avenue)
LOVE YOGA
Winter 2014
5
Winter Fun in Ellingson Park
Parkallen News
Parkallen News
6
ACUPUNCTURE • MASSAGE • YOGA
780 756 7736 6523 111 Street www.wholefamilyhealth.ca
Winter 2014
Winter 2014
7
Parkallen News
The birds and the bees: encouraging our natural landscapes in Parkallen by Marlene Wurfel Wildlife gardening is making green spaces attractive to mammals, birds and insects. We might think of urban centers as devoid of wildlife and properly so. I don’t want coyotes hunting in Ellingson Park where my kids play, nor do I want wasps nesting under my deck. But songbirds, butterflies, damselflies, ladybird beetles, wild bees, and little brown bats play essential, beneficial roles in our urban landscapes by controlling pests and pollinating plants. If we create vast swathes of lawn that are attractive to mosquitoes but inhospitable to the species that like to lunch on them, our picnics will suffer in myriad ways. Not only will we spend more time swatting skeeters, but without wild pollinators, our food security is threatened: foods like tomatoes, watermelon, chocolate and coffee can only be pollinated by wild bees. If we create habitats that are attractive to scavengers such as magpies but not to songbirds such as redpolls, well… then our parks will be devoid of bird song. One easy way to increase biodiversity in an urban landscape is to provide habitat for cavity nesters. Cavity nesters make homes in dead trees, burrows, dense thickets and hollow plant stalks or seed heads. Because old hollow trees and dead plant stalks are the first thing we “clean” up from our parks and yards, wild populations that depend on finding natural cavities in which to raise babies safe from predators, weather, and human intervention can’t thrive. By installing appropriate nest boxes and feeders in our yards and parks we can help give native, wild species a foothold, instead of giving the legup to invasive, pest species. Whether you own a balcony or an acreage, wildlife gardening is as simple as providing food, water, cover and/or nesting sites for mammals, birds and insects. It’s the type of activity that can demand as much or as little time and money as you’d like to invest in it. If you want to help increase biodiversity without spending a dime, Google searches for “build a bird feeder from junk” and “build a birdhouse” render millions of results. Of those millions, a milk-
carton bird feeder resembling Dr. Who’s iconic spaceship, The Tardis, constructed entirely from stuff I had lying around the house, is a clear winner for me. Visit the Parkallen Diggers’ blog at parkallendiggers.org to find a video tutorial and templates if you’d like to build your own Tardis birdfeeder. A bit of research is key to wildlife gardening: the type of food in a feeder and the size of hole in a nestbox are important in attracting a particular species over another. If you’ve never visited Edmonton’s Wildbird General Store I would encourage you to – it is a gem in Edmonton’s south side at 4712 99 Street. Another great resource is the National Wildlife Foundations website: www.newf.org/How-toHelp/Garden-for-Wildlife.aspx.
Parkallen News
8
The Parkallen Sprouts have purchased several nesting boxes and a large bird feeder to hang in the trees surrounding the Parkallen Community garden. Our aim is to increase biodiversity in our community and to fill the boughs with birdsong. If you would like to hang one of the birdhouses and to keep an eye on it now and again (time commitment = low), email sustainability@parkallen.ca. We also have a large birdfeeder to install and require volunteers to keep it full. One caution with feeding birds is that it’s not fair to feed sporadically: if birds rely on a food source
Winter 2014 an abrupt stoppage can be devastating. I can commit to keeping a supply of bird food in the garden shed year-round and if I can recruit 12 volunteers to each commit to making sure the feeder is full on a weekly basis for one calendar month of each year, we can successfully feed the birds in Ellingson park for, you know, tuppence a day. E-mail sustainability@parkallen. ca if you’d like to take a 1-month shift as a birdfeeder at the Parkallen Community Garden.
Hall Happenings for Winter 2014 Parkallen Playgroup Mondays 1 pm - 3 pm Girl Guides Tuesdays 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Parkallen Knitters Wednesdays 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Register now and start Preschool right away! Call the Green Circle classroom at (780) 435-3129 to make an appointment to visit the classroom, meet the teacher and pick up a registration package. For more information please visit our website at www.greencirclepreschool.com or call Jessie at (780) 977-3772 for more registration information. “A place where friendships begin and children blossom”
Winter 2014
IS THIS FOR YOU? Since 1917, the University of Alberta’s School of Dentistry has been providing dental services for the public at affordable prices. We currently have a need for Dental Hygiene and Denture patients. Come visit our friendly and approachable students. Book your appointment today (780) 407-5550.
9
Parkallen News
Want to get the news faster? Sign up to get the newsletter be email: Email newsletter@ parkallen.ca with “Sign me up” in the subject line! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for great updates, photos and event information.
Parkallen News
resolve to get involved
10
Winter 2014
Kids Corner Try our word search! Look for the following words: Community Parkallen Family Playground Friends School Garden Skating Homes Trees Neighbours Hall
1/28/2014
Custom Word Search Puzzle
Volunteer NOW! For more details go to www.mealsonwheelsedmonton.org volunteer and see the difference you can make.
Graphics & layout for Parkallen News courtesy of:
lindsayerickson 780.707.0522 
| 
www.lericksongraphics.com
G
M
Q
R
S
P
U
M
N
Y
S
B
F
C
D
L
Q
N
T
J
R
V
G
O
N
A
T
E
L
N
U
F
R
M
E
Y
B
L
L
E
O
S
S
M
I
G
C
L
A
D
B
K
C
U
R
R
T
A
H
R
H
A
H
N
F
O
I
K
H
A
G
T
O
I
Y
U
G
R
O
G
I
I
O
T
L
N
Z
A
M
Q
E
N
L
Y
P
D
L
P
E
G
N
G
A
S
E
E
R
T
S
C
B
U
T
D
K
F
S
O
J
R
J
J
S
Y
L
I
M
A
F
B
Neighb
Winter 2014
11
Parkallen News
Dr. Mary Ann Kuharchuk, Dr. Jason Nijjer b.sc., d.d.s
b.msc., d.d.s
(780)434-7616 5534-111 Street, Edmonton info@makdental.com
We provide a full range of comprehensive general services including: Complimentary happy visit for children under 3. State of the art in office professional whitening. Digital radiography.
www.makdental.com See what your neighbours are saying about Mak Dental: www.demandforce.com/b/makdental
Winter 2014
12
Parkallen News
Classified Parkallen resident since 1990 and pet/house sitting for 12 years. Will shovel walks, bring in mail, water plants, take care of your pets while you are away. Contact Michele @780.434.7871. References available on request. I have a limited number of new/unused how to paint and draw, and woodcrafting books for sale including: How To Paint Water; Light: How to see it, How to Paint it; How To Draw and Paint Texture; Painting Figures and Animals with Confidence. Call Martha at 780-434-1228. McKernan Community Hall, Friday, March 14, 4 - 9 p.m., and Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., enjoy our Nomads’ Tent with crafts, jewellery, beautiful Indian cotton dresses and other silk items, henna hand painting, book readings by local authors, and other surprises. On Friday evening, beginning at 7:30 p.m. , we’ll have international folk dancing. You are welcome to dance or to enjoy the music. Please mark your calendars and come join us! Contact Wendy at 780-434-7338.
Your Parkallen Community League Executive:
Co President: Alex Clifford
Co President: Leanne Kohn
Treasurer: Julie Beschell Casino: Andrea Anielski Membership: Sandra Stessun & Janet Mayhew
president@parkallen.ca vicepresident@parkallen.ca treasurer@parkallen.ca casino@parkallen.ca membership@parkallen.ca
Secretary: Allison Chevrette
Past President: Nora Begoray pastpresident@parkallen.ca
Parks & Recreation Director: Meghan Dunnigan Rink: Sal Blair Soccer Coordinator: Meghan Dunnigan Hall Coordinator: Jennifer Fedor Hall Maintenance: David Begoray Social Coordinator: Todd Beschell Programs: Laurel Miyashita Garden Coordinator: Marlene Wurfel
Communications Director: Anne Pratt Newsletter Editor: Anne Pratt Website: Marc Pearce Social Media Coordinator: Niall Mckenna Graphics and Layout: Lindsay Erickson
secretary@parkallen.ca park@parkallen.ca rink@parkallen.ca soccer@parkallen.ca hall@parkallen.ca hall@parkallen.ca social@parkallen.ca programs@parkallen.ca sustainability@parkallen.ca communications@parkallen.ca newsletter@parkallen.ca webmaster@parkallen.ca newsletter@parkallen.ca graphics@parkallen.ca
Neighborhood Development Director: Jesse Lafrance development@parkallen.ca SCNC Representatives: Donna White & Jarret Orchard uofa@parkallen.ca Civics Representative: Donna White civics@parkallen.ca UACC Representative: Oliver Rossier Transportation: Andrea Anielski transportation@parkallen.ca Housing and Development: Jesse Lafrance housing@parkallen.ca Community Recreations Coordinator: Anna Vesala
anna.vesala@edmonton.ca