A developer has proposed swapping land with the city so that a 24-storey condo tower can be built on part of Oliver park.
If successful, the proposal would see the city exchange the northeast corner of Oliver Park, on 118 Street and 104 Avenue, for the St. John's School site on 120 Street and 102 Avenue.
The school site would be rezoned as a greenspace, while the northeast portion of Oliver Park would be rezoned for a residential tower by Abbey Lane Homes and Stantec.
Travis Pawlyk, senior city planner, said an advantage of the proposal is that it would direct higher density toward 104 Avenue, and that the residential tower would be steps away from the Valley Line LRT.
“The only impact would be that the entire block, which is right now a park site, would be fragmented,” Pawlyk said.
Edmontonians gathered Tuesday night to give feedback on the land exchange and rezoning proposal.
One community member didn’t support the idea.
“I'm not too happy about it. Don't really want this 24-storey building, like, in my back yard,” said Darcy Paterson.
“That area’s got a park. It's got the recreation centre with a skating rink there. In the summertime, there's a swimming pool. It’s kind of the heart of the Oliver community.”
On Wednesday, Ward 6 Councillor Scott McKeen said he’s heard strong opinions from community members both for and against the proposal.
On one hand, McKeen said taller buildings should be built along arterial roads or the exteriors of neighbourhoods so that building size shrinks toward the middle of the community.
On the other, “the community’s been talking for a while—and I actually put in a motion about—what is Oliver’s future needs in cultural community and recreational services in a facility? So do you block an opportunity by going on the 104 Avenue site, I think is one that a lot of people are concerned with.”
However, there’s little rush to come to a decision, according to the councillor.
“I think having a decision one way or another in the coming months would be a good idea, for everybody’s mental health, but I think—I don’t think we have to plan everything out ahead of the LRT.”
Once city planners have gathered feedback, they’ll take their findings to city council—in three to four months.
With files from Timm Bruch
