A southwest Edmonton neighbourhood the place it’s unusual to see any buildings except for single-detached houses is seeing a lot of residents mobilize to lift issues a few proposal to construct a multi-unit rowhouse on a nook lot, and in addition about final yr’s adjustments to the town’s zoning bylaw that would enable for it.
“We’re not in opposition to row housing per se, however the best way it’s taking place … is violating the character of our neighbourhood,” stated Baldwin Reichwein, who has owned a home in Aspen Gardens for many years.
Reichwein and a lot of his neighbours have voiced their issues to each the town and the builder who purchased the lot, whereas many space residents have put up indicators in entrance of their houses to point out their opposition.
“Folks have invested on this neighbourhood for the final half-century — I feel we ought to be listened to,” he stated.
A minor improvement allow software for the lot on the nook of 111B Road and 36A Avenue seeks permission to assemble a “residential use constructing within the type of a four-dwelling rowhouse with unenclosed entrance porches, and 4 secondary suites within the basement.”
The builder informed International Information they’ve discovered the variety of models exceeded what bylaws allow on the lot, however they’re now exploring if they will construct a six-unit improvement.
Such purposes are extra frequent now after the city’s amended zoning bylaw took impact in January 2024. The amendments had been made in response to issues about housing availability, affordability and concrete sprawl, with Edmonton being one of many fastest-growing cities in Canada over the previous few years. The bylaw now permits infill housing to be constructed on any residential lot in Edmonton, encourages small eating places, espresso outlets and retail shops to open subsequent to homes and permits for dense housing to be constructed on any lot within the metropolis, with some zones permitting infill and small residences and others permitting highrises.
Aspen Gardens is located in Ward papastew, south of Whitemud Drive between 119 Road and the Whitemud Ravine. The ward’s councillor stated he’s listening to the issues of space residents and acknowledged “change is de facto powerful.”
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“A few of it’s truthfully a concern of the unknown,” Coun. Michael Janz stated. “Many neighbourhoods have had infill, and as soon as the infill goes in persons are used to it (and) they typically just like the neighbours. They work issues out with the neighbours.
“It’s similar to when the home subsequent door to you goes on sale: you don’t know who’s going to dwell there subsequent, however now we have methods of figuring it out. … It’s a rising course of. As issues come up, we’re engaged on addressing them.”
Janz stated the 2 challenge he and different metropolis councillors persistently hear, which he stated are crucial ones to Edmontonians proper now, are the affordability disaster and the housing disaster.
He added that the provincial authorities and federal authorities each are pushing for extra housing models to be constructed.
“We’re seeing much more homes getting constructed,” Janz stated. “Typically that’s duplexes, generally that’s triplexes and generally that’s fourplexes and even fourplexes with basement suites. We all know that by including extra housing to mature neighbourhoods we may also help enhance affordability and we are able to provide individuals extra housing decisions, particularly in fascinating areas the place you’re near transit, you’re near the LRT, you’re near a pool (or) a rec centre, a highschool.
“It’s actually vital that we legalize extra housing and provide individuals extra housing decisions. Definitely I empathize with the neighbours. This generally is a large change, particularly when your neighbourhood has been one-level bungalows for the final 50 years.”
Morgan Wallace lives in Aspen Gardens and stated she and others are open to a duplex being constructed on the lot however really feel that the dimensions of improvement being proposed is a priority.
“This simply doesn’t really feel proper for the dimensions of the lot,” she stated, including residents have issues concerning the influence on visitors and parking.
Reichwein stated he additionally has issues with how infill developments usually will influence property taxes in Edmonton in the event that they require neighbourhood infrastructure upgrades. He additionally questioned how a lot infill improvement will really curb city sprawl.
“We’re not in opposition to builders and contractors, we’re in opposition to the blanket method of the zoning bylaw — one dimension suits all,” he stated. “We’re not in opposition to reform, however reform completed in the best method.”
Wallace expressed the same sentiment.
“Though I’m pro-development and pro-increasing density in these smaller sleepier neighbourhoods, I simply assume it’s not a one-size-fits-all,” she stated.
A neighbourhood profile of Aspen Gardens on the City of Edmonton’s website notes that when improvement within the space first started within the Sixties, it was “designed to attraction to people and households searching for a quiet, high-quality, residential neighbourhood with ‘government’ model houses and above-average dimension heaps.”
Janz stated he believes price of dwelling and the affordability disaster have to be saved in thoughts when interested by improvement.
“Numerous younger individuals right this moment can’t afford to place 20 per cent down on a mortgage, however by having extra decisions to lease, to get your individual place, to avoid wasting cash — these are actually vital components of providing housing for everybody,” he stated.
A metropolis official informed International Information the allow software stays below assessment and the town is searching for extra data earlier than a choice is made.
–with recordsdata from International Information’ Erik Bay
© 2025 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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