City moves closer to finalizing district plans
When Julie McLennan decided to push back against a rezoning application to allow an apartment building on the lot next to her McKernan home, she pointed to city plans that didn't include her address as eligible for densification.
"I think it’s important so community members know what to expect," McLennan told CTV News Edmonton in March.
Those draft district plans have now been tweaked.
Some changes make it plain the City of Edmonton wants to see density on corner lots or properties beside parks even if they're not along major roadways.
City councillor Andrew Knack says he believes the plans are necessary to show Edmontonians how the city will grow in the coming decades.
"The last thing you want to do is create that type of disconnect because then you start breaking trust," Knack told CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, city planners are attempting to balance transparency and clarity with the piecemeal reality of development.
The new district maps no longer have solid borders, and staff say the written parts of the plan carry equal weight.
"If you just look at the nodes and corridors map and see the boundary, you might think ‘this is the only place development can happen,’ when in fact, there’s policy support for development in a number of other places as well," said Sean Bohle, a senior city planner.
Knack's primary concern is Edmonton's booming population.
As it stands, aspects of the plans look ahead to a city of 1.25 million, a population figure that may be just a couple of years away.
"I do think we need to be very realistic with Edmontonians in saying like, 'We are growing so quickly," said Knack, who will discuss the draft plans with his fellow city councillors at the end of May, plans which could be approved by late summer.
"If these plans don’t better reflect that, we are going to have some very challenging conversations."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Manitoba man sentenced to house arrest for keeping fishing tournament funds meant for Children's Hospital Foundation
A Manitoba man who pleaded guilty to keeping the funds raised from an ice-fishing fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has been handed a sentence of 18 months house arrest.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.