CIVICS CORNER: Zoning Bylaw Renewal, District Planning, and Infill Safety and Protections

Written by Jan Hardstaff, Parkallen Civics Committee Co-Director

Note: this article includes links, which can be found on the web version of the newsletter at Parkallen.ca/ newsletter.

The City offered refine level engagement on the 2nd Draft Zoning Bylaw for one month during May. Unfortunately, this was insufficient time for Civics to review, understand and respond to the 850 page document, which can be found here on the web version of the newsletter.

The Scona District Community Council met on May 23, 2023, to develop feedback by consensus on its recommendations to the Refined Draft Zoning Bylaw, which can be found at this link.

The folder shared above includes a comparison of current, first and second draft proposed regulations for the RM Medium Scale Residential Zone (to replace RA7) the RS Small Scale Residential Zone to replace current RF1 in Parkallen, Backyard Housing to replace Garden Suites and Landscaping regulations which reduce the number of trees and allow permeable rock, shale, and artificial turf to substitute living plant.

Modelling of the RS Zone can be found at www.SmarterInfillYEG.ca, along with a RS Zone - Smarter Infill YEG Draft Zoning Bylaw for a Sustainable Future.

You are encouraged to contact the Mayor and Council to request a postponement or extension of refine level engagement to September 1 to October 31 to give citizens and Community Leagues more time to review the Draft Zoning Bylaw and provide informed feedback to adapt or adjust the proposed regulations. The focus is on allowing larger buildings to achieve greater density, but it is possible to achieve density while also maintaining 30% Green Asset Area and room for trees. More also needs to be done to ensure affordable housing is built and that there will be appropriate consideration of both current and future residents and maintaining, healthy, safe and livable neighbourhoods for both.

The city is releasing 15 revised District Plans and District General Policy on August 14 for refine level engagement from August 21 to September 29.

Parkallen Civics Committee members of the Residential Infill Working Group attended stakeholder workshops on January 11 & 24. Also in attendance was the new City Safety Codes Branch Manager Robb McAdam, Provincial Safety Codes Council, Occupational Health & Safety, the Provincial Building Administrator, Community Standards, City Planning and Industry Stakeholders. You can find the Civics Commitee’s “What We Heard” Report at the link here.

This document includes, in Appendix B, the Residential Infill Working Groups five recommendations and rationale to support them from the Building Code and FOIP records of the City’s Quality Management Plan, a contract with the Province to Administer the Building Code.

This meeting was held in response to a Urban Planning Committee motion from January 19, 2021, (which followed an April 23, 2019) motion to work with community stakeholders to explore their recommendations to improve the infill construction process so everyone has a positive outcome. This followed a April 2019 Parkallen infill excavation failure and lack of enforcement of the excavation provisions laid out by the National Building Code – Alberta Edition. In 2020, FOIP records were obtained that indicate the City uses an educational approach to its administration of the Building Code, which builders appreciate, but which does not ensure the law is applied and enforced to protect the public from hazards and adjacent property and buildings from damage. An unfortunate consequence of this failure is that risk is transferred from the building industry to neighbours and if damage occurs, the city considers this a civil matter in which they cannot intervene.

Summer is a great opportunity to focus on learning in a less high pressure environment

1. Learn jazz scales and chords/progressions/ improvisation, and jazzy piano repertoire OR

2. Learn to play your favourite pop tunes at the piano, chords and improvisation OR

3. Get more great classics under your belt! http://www.edmontonpianoteacher.com

EXPRESS YOURSELF THROUGH SONG!

- -learn the basics of phonation, breathing and how to coordinate the two.

- Learn how to sing some folksongs, or just your favourite tunes.

- All ages and levels welcome.

- http://www.edmontonpianoteacher.com

MINI Musicians ages 3 1/2 - 5

Introduction to keyboard and music through singing, movement and games;-This is a keyboard/Kodaly based approach. Students will learn Solfege, keyboard basics and fundamental rhythms.. Small groups of 2-3 maximum;. 2 sessions per week; http:/www.edmontonpianoteacher.com