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Parkallen News In this issue‌.. Block party fun was had by all Meet Marlene Wurfel Civics information: planning and development Parkallen membership drive underway Welcome new executive members Job postings Movie night: Harry Potter, Ice Age, Paranorman
Community block party fun defies stormy weather The Parkallen Community Block Party provided a terrific opportunity to celebrate the many things we enjoy about our wonderful neighbourhood. Not even rain and blustery weather could dampen our community enthusiasm. All the kids had a blast getting their faces painted, jumping in the blue dog, making crafts and enjoying games led by City Parks leader Kim. A big shout out to a great group of teens, many of whom were members of the U14 Parkallen girls soccer team, who volunteered with crafts and face painting. The potluck and barbeque gave families a chance to reconnect after the long summer break. Superior Propane was kind enough to donate the use of their barbecue and free propane. We enjoyed some terrific music by talented local musicians including Nayan Prakash, Jared Hardstaff, George Koufogiannakis & Friends, Sarah Lillian, Tangele and the Off-Whyte Band. Soundman Steve Schroeter with Clearsound Productions did a terrific job and graciously donated the $200 service fee to YESS (Youth Empowerment & Support Services). Margot Cooke organized a number of volunteers to greet guests and sell league memberships to begin our Fall 2012 Membership Drive. Dot Laing from the City of Edmonton, kicked of Local Motion II, along with the UofA sustainable Bike Team who came and helped tune up bikes. Local Motion also provided a portable toilet: much appreciated! A special thank you to the Parkallen Restaurant, the Quirky Art Cafe, and Rick and Alice's Restaurant for providing gift certificates for door prizes. Jan and Brad also want to acknowledge all of those behind the scenes who helped with set up and clean up. Heidi Coguhlin, the Off Whyte Band and the City of Edmonton provided tents and canopies, which we ended up needing! We also want to thank Kirk Lambrecht, our guest, who took photos of the event. Great job everyone and thank you for making the 2012 Parkallen Community Block Party a success!
The postal code for Parkallen Hall has changed. Please update your address books: 6510 - 111 St Edmonton, AB T6H 1W3
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PARKALLEN NEWS
Meet your
Community League Marlene Wurfel is the Parkallen Community League’s Hall Rental Coordinator, Community Gardener and Parkallen Sprout Director. Which means she’s the energy, enthusiasm, skill and patience behind this year’s Edmonton in Bloom Community Garden award for Parkallen. We asked Marlene 5 questions, plus one. Where did you grow up? Athabasca, Alberta. It’s a small town two hours straight north of Edmonton.
When did you move into Parkallen? 2002. We were newlyweds used to living in apartments and our house seemed huge to us. I remember thinking, “How are we ever going to fill this place up?” We’ve done a fine job.
What do like best about Parkallen? Parkallen’s character: the old trees, houses that aren’t all the same, wide bike-friendly streets, and Ellingson park with a hockey rink, community hall, school and playground at the heart of the community. We used to play shinny on Sundays in Parkallen with a big group of friends before we moved here, because it was such a well-maintained rink and always open. That’s how we “discovered” Parkallen – the rink.
Why do you volunteer for the Community league?
Need space for an event? The Parkallen Community League has lovely space in a park setting at very affordable rates. Contact us: hall@parkallen.ca
I just want to help people connect with each other in healthy ways. I think community is so important. When I was choosing a school for my oldest daughter, I was smitten with the school gardens at Belgravia. But ultimately I decided that being a part of the community we live in was more important to me than any particular feature of a school. So I thought, maybe I can make something like that school garden happen here, in Parkallen.
Who inspires you? My kids. They are such wonderful, amazing, exhausting creatures. They really make me think about how to live well.
Tell us one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you…. I love to ski and I love the black diamond runs.
Thank you for all your work Marlene. Our beautiful garden will keep us dreaming of spring. See you at the rink! (home)
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The Civics Page(s) Planning and development: What's coming up for our neighbourhood?
Open House Hear the facts Have your say! Proposed changes to the Belgravia-McKernanParkallen Community Development Plan
Tuesday, December 4th 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. St. Basil’s Catholic Ukrainian Church Cultural Centre (building at rear) 7007 – 109 Street access off 71 Avenue
The City of Edmonton is doing transit oriented development planning around the McKernan / Belgravia LRT station that will result in a new area redevelopment plan for these two neighbourhoods. The 1994 Belgravia-McKernan-Parkallen Community Development Plan will need to be changed accordingly. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the changes as they relate to the Parkallen neighbourhood. Come out and learn more about how this and other development plans (including the 109 Street ARP) and Zoning Bylaw Amendments to Infill Guidelines in Mature Neighbourhoods may affect Parkallen both within and surrounding our community. This may be your only chance to hear these changes explained and make your voice heard.
109 Street Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) Update The 109 Street ARP describes proposed changes to the streetscape and development guidelines along the 109 th Street Corridor. Changes to this area, bordering Parkallen along the eastern boundary, will have a direct impact on our neighbourhood, particularly the commercial pod from 69 Avenue to 72 Avenue. In June, 2012 an information Open House at Parkallen School was well attended by concerned community members. Feedback from participants and other information, including the presentations made by the City, is available online: www.edmonton.ca/city_government/projects_redevelopment/109-street-corridor-arp.aspx. Since then, the city’s planning team has been reviewing and refining the draft 109 Street ARP and preparing the Council report packages for the amendments to Garneau, Strathcona ARPs and the Belgravia - McKernan -Parkallan Community Development Plan. In early September, the Garneau community requested a meeting with city planners to discuss issues specific to the amendments to the Garneau Plan. Subsequently the Garneau group submitted to the city, a document prepared by their planning consultant with proposed changes related to issues with both the Garneau Plan and the 109 Street ARP. Meetings were held on September 18 and 24 to discuss the issues and the proposed amendments contained in the Garneau submission. The city agreed to pause and investigate solutions to the issues presented, but reiterated that they were beyond the focus of just the Garneau community. In keeping with the approved Public Involvement Process for the Plan exercise, this new activity needs to be shared with the representatives of the larger six neighbourhoods, the Steering Committee and Central Area Committee of Community Leagues (CACCL). This additional activity will be conducted in October and November and will move the target date of the Council Public Hearing to January 2013. Housing and Development representatives from the communities adjacent to 109 Street corridor will have an opportunity to view the revised draft of the 109 St ARP during the first week of November and this document should also be available to view on the City website, allowing all stakeholders to see how comments and concerns raised at the June Open house have been incorporated into the revised 109 St ARP document.
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The Civics Page(s) Proposed Amendments to Low Density Zoning Bylaws On Monday, October 29, amendments to the zoning bylaw to implement changes to the existing Residential Infill Guidelines will be brought to a Public Hearing before City Council to allow for increased density in mature neighbourhoods. The following outlines how these amendments will change zoning bylaws currently in place in Parkallen.
RF1 (single family dwelling) will be redefined to include semi-detached housing (one building with two dwellings side by side, front and back) and duplex housing (one building with two dwellings placed one on top of the other) on corner lots, arterial roadways and service roads as a discretionary use. This applies in Parkallen to the lots currently zoned RF1 on the south side of 72 Avenue and corner lots in the neighbourhood.
Maximum total site coverage for semi-detached housing on sites smaller than 600m2 proposed to be 42%, up from 40%. This allows an increase in garage site coverage from 12% to 14% to allow for larger double-car garages. The maximum site coverage for the dwelling remains at 28%.
RF4 (semi-detached residential zone) Duplex housing is moved from discretionary to permitted use. Minimum lot width is decreased from 12.0 m to 7.6 m where are lane exists. This could allow two lots to be consolidated and subdivided into three lots, provided all three lots meet the minimum width, depth, area, and location criteria of the bylaw. This could not occur in the RF1 zone where the minimum width for a single detached lot remains at 12.0m.
The Mature Neighbourhood Overlay (MNO) will be amended to allow more variable front setbacks. New infill development will be permitted to be within 2.5 of the average setback of adjacent lots. For example if two lots adjacent to Lot X are set back 6m and 8 m, the average setback would be 7m. The new zoning bylaw would allow the front setback for new development on Lot x to range between 4.5 and 9m (7.0 m +/-2.5m) At present, development is only permitted within 1.0m of the front setback if neighbours do not appeal the development application or unless you receive a variance. This zoning bylaw amendment may allow for a larger development footprint at the front of the property while maintaining larger back yards. This could alter the continuous frontage that currently existing on streets in mature neighbourhoods, may affect boulevard trees and could affect existing homes with respect to light and site line obstruction.
The clause in the MNO regarding vehicular access to front facing garages has not been changed and this access continues to be prohibited.
Rear attached garages will not be permitted and detached garages must still be a minimum of 3m from the house.
The Zoning Bylaw Amendments will be brought to a Public Hearing before City Council on October 29, 2012. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jan Hardstaff, housing@parkallen.ca, or write your City Councilors, our Councilor is Don Iveson. The Central Area Committee of Community Leagues is concerned that the general public has not had adequate time to view these bylaw changes and provide feedback.
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The Civics Page(s) South Campus News The South Campus Consultation Group (SCCG), a group comprised of University of Alberta and South Campus Neighbourhood Coalition (SCNC) representatives, has met on five occasions since June to discuss the development of the South Campus lands. The University presented their sector plans for the north quarter section and the West 240. The University is unwilling to disclose any plans for the south quarter section other than to say that it is committed to agricultural use. The following developments were presented by the University. 1) The vehicle pool is being moved from the current site immediately south of the Saville Centre to north of the Agri-Food Discovery Place. It will be replaced by a campus security facility. The communities will be consulted on landscaping for the vehicle pool. 2) A new intersection will be constructed at 63 rd Avenue and 122nd Street that will provide private vehicle and public transport access to the north quarter sector of South Campus, including the existing Saville/Go Centre and the planned student residences, twin arenas and parkade. The SCNC and the Grandview community have expressed serious concerns with regard to the transportation analysis provided as rationale for the access location and the adherence of this transportation development to the Long Range Development Plan (LRDP, 2002). On September 26, 2012 the University hosted an open house at McKernan School to outline their plans for amending the LRDP for South Campus. Display boards illustrated proposed changes to the LRDP and University personnel and consultants were on hand to answer questions. Attendance was underwhelming. The display-board material and evaluations of the open house have not as yet been posted to the University website. To view additional materials on the University of Alberta Community Relations site go to: http://www.communityrelations.ualberta.ca/ To contact your SCNC, SCCG, and UACC representatives please email us at civics@parkallen.ca.
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Block Party Photo Album (see the online issue for full glorious colour shots!)
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Help make the season bright this year Since 1940, the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton has had one mission: to provide a festive meal to Edmontonians in need at Christmas time. The people we assist receive more than a meal it’s Christmas with hope and dignity and the knowledge that there is support from the community. The Christmas Bureau is nondenominational and accessible to all Edmontonians in need. Our goal for 2012 is to provide a festive meal for 65,000 people. This year we need to raise $1.8 million to pay the bills. Donations can be made online at christmasbureau.ca year round CALL - 780 421 XMAS (9627); TEXT - Christmas to 45678 for a $10 donation; TEXT - Hamper to 45678 for a $5 donation; VISIT any City of Edmonton Fire Hall, Servus Credit Union or ATB branch from November 12 to January 19; IN PERSON at our donations desks at Bonnie Doon Mall, Commerce Place, Kingsway Mall, Londonderry Mall, Southgate Centre or West Edmonton Mall from December 1 to December 24. Without the 800 plus volunteers giving just over 9,000 volunteer hours in six short weeks, the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton could not provide a festive meal for 65,000 Edmontonians in need. It is these volunteers who give of their time, energy and compassion that ensures the tradition of sharing and caring is alive each Christmas. To volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 780 414 7682 or visit our website at christmasbureau.ca/volunteer. Honourary Campaign Chairperson, Kevin Lowe, sums it up best – “It takes an entire community to ensure that the tradition of sharing and caring continues and that no one is left behind at Christmas time. With your support, all Edmontonians will have the opportunity to celebrate with a festive meal at Christmas time.”
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Park Paving is almost finished their work in the Parkallen area. We’d like to know how satisfied you are with the work they did. Good, bad or indifferent, we need to hear from you! Email your comments to executive@parkallen.ca.
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The Parkallen Membership Drive is Underway! Family / Household Memberships: $35 Senior and Student Memberships: $10
Membership comes with privileges! Membership includes skate tags, 20-pass Scona Pool Swim Cards and special Outdoor Pool times in summer, 10% off City of Edmonton Facility passes, and voting rights at Parkallen Community League Executive meetings. Thanks to all the incredible volunteers who are canvassing the neighbourhood selling memberships. You are appreciated - great job! If you miss the canvasser in your area, contact membership@parkallen.ca
WELCOME NEW EXECUTIVE VOLUNTEERS We would like to welcome Sandra Stessun as the new Membership Canvassing Coordinator Janet Mayhew as the new Membership Data Entry Person. Jessica Bateman as our first ever Social Media strategist (home)
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Congratulations Parkallen School
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Join the PCL Executive!
SWEATER SALE OPEN HOUSE Windsor Park Community Hall 11840 - 87 Ave. Saturday, December 8, 2012 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. hand knit scarves, hats, vests, sweaters, (custom orders avail.) PRICES $25.00 - $350.00 Minkha is a women's knitting cooperative. Save the Children Canada volunteers assist the Bolivian knitters by marketing the sweaters on a non-profit basis.
Linda Haswell (780) 436-5732 www.minkhasweaters.com
Writers, photographers, layout artists! The Parkallen News needs you1 Join our communications team and create some great stuff for your résumé. newsletter@parkallen.ca
The Parkallen Community League Executive is looking for volunteers for the following positions: Groundskeeper Hall Maintenance Volunteer Coordinator Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator Sustainability Coordinator Transportation Membership Coordinator If you’re interested, contact executive@parkallen.ca to volunteer for any of these positions, or to suggest a new one. Meet new people. Learn new skills. Share your talents. Make a difference in your community.
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Community Mode Shifters needed to MOVE LocalMotion 2! As you “Fall” into your Autumn routines we hope you are practicing your best eco-mobility moves and getting ready to stay the course through the cooler months ahead. The LocalMotion team would like to continue its work with the Parkallen community by inviting ALL Parkallen residents to participate in a LocalMotion 2 workshop. The purpose of this workshop is to: - update and share project ideas that could be moved to action in the community this winter; - gather your ideas and thoughts about other eco-mobile related activities, workshops, and events that would interest your community (within the scope of LocalMotion 2); - ultimately, ask for community involvement to help move small projects forward. Be an important part of shaping your LocalMotion 2 community project. Join us on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 2 – 3:30 pm at the Community Hall. Interested in participating in LocalMotion 2 but cannot attend the workshop? Please email dot.laing@edmonton.ca to share your ideas.
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Shedtemberfest Success A good old fashioned shed raising brought out the builders, and put the kids to work. Nice job!!
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PARKALLEN NEWS
PARKALLEN WINTER JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The cold weather has arrived we can all look forward to skating and playing hockey this winter! Parkallen's rinks are a highlight for families, community members and guests to enjoy when the temperatures dip. Keeping the rinks running requires ongoing maintenance and supervision. We are looking for volunteers with small engine and machinery experience to take a look at the snow blower and sweeper machines owned by the League. We also have several positions that pay $15/hour.
Snow/Ice Removers Rink Shack Supervisors Please contact Sal Blair, Rink Manager through rink@parkallen.ca or executive@parkallen.ca for full job descriptions or for more information
FLOOD DAMAGE? Did you have flood damage on July 12th 2012? Alberta Emergency Management’s Disaster Relief Program may offer assistance. The deadline to apply is January 10 2012. Full details are available online: www.aema.alberta.ca/drp-programdetails.cfm?ID=8
Okay – so this illustration shows a guy with a shovel. But this job is open to everyone! The Parkallen Community League is an equal opportunity employer.
Do you want to hear a great story? Of course you do. Everyone loves a great story. And chances are you have a few to tell! So why not share? TALES, a storytelling group coming to Parkallen, will host its' monthly Tellaround at the Parkallen Hall, the 2nd Monday of the month, beginning Monday November 12 th and continuing through June. A Tellaround is a "story circle" where people are invited to come listen to others tell stories, or tell one of their own. The short stories can be folktales, tall tales, historical or personal stories; anything goes. Our only "rule" is that stories must be told from memory and not read aloud or using notes; in this way, we celebrate and cultivate the ancient art of oral storytelling! The public is invited, and the Tellaround is free. (home)
NOVEMBER 2012
PARKALLEN NEWS THE LAST PAGE Help Wanted
Parkallen mom seeks occasional and part-time babysitting for two preschoolers. Please contact marlene.wurfel@gmail.com or call (780) 4382003 Rooms wanted
Room to let? Grad student seeks room in house or other rental starting December/January. Quiet, very clean, likes interesting people. Please email Sam atsamuelcguffey@gmail.com
Your community league is comprised of volunteers who give their time to ensure your community continues to be a terrific place to live. Very special thanks to Margot Cooke for her tireless work as Membership Canvassing Coordinator. Thank you also to Christine Gue for all the work she has done on Membership. The Community League could not operate with the kind of effort Margot and Christine brought to their volunteer work. On behalf of the Community of Parkallen, well done, and thank you.
Your Parkallen Community League Executive Executive: President: Alex Clifford Vice-President: Sam Guffey Casino: Christie Roy Irving Civics: Donna White Community Garden Coordinator: Robert Kirchner Groundskeeper: VACANT Hall Coordinator: Marlene Wurfel Hall Maintenance: VACANT Housing and Development: Jan Hardstaff Membership Coordinator: VACANT Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator: VACANT Newsletter: Anne Pratt Park Redevelopment Committee: Nora Begoray Programs and Social: Leanne Kohn Rink Manager: Sal Blair Secretary: Allison Chevrette Soccer: Meghan Dunnigan Social Media Coordinator: Jessica Bateman South Campus Neighbourhood Coalition: Lawrie Seligman Donna White Sustainability Coordinator: VACANT Transportation: VACANT Treasurer: Brandon Golby Website: Marc Pearce
president@parkallen.ca vicepresident@parkallen.ca casino@parkallen.ca civics@parkallen.ca sustainability@parkallen.ca hall@parkallen.ca hall@parkallen.ca housing@parkallen.ca membership@parkallen.ca newsletter@parkallen.ca park@parkallen.ca social@parkallen.ca rink@parkallen.ca secretary@parkallen.ca soccer@parkallen.ca uofa@parkallen.ca sustainability@parkallen.ca transportation@parkallen.ca treasurer@parkallen.ca webmaster@parkallen.ca (home)