Edmonton city councillor proposes changes to limit infill housing

Zoning and infill continues to be a hot-button issue at Edmonton’s city hall, as one typically pro-infill councillor is proposing a limit on the number of units in a building.

“So the infills are causing more of a parking problem, I think than the original residents,” said one Edmontonian CityNews spoke to.

In Edmonton’s older neighbourhoods — residents are concerned about the impacts of multi-unit infill housing on their blocks, allowing for as many as eight units on what used to be one lot, as city leaders look to create more housing options as our population is expected to grow rapidly. 

“They’re putting an eight-plex up the street from us. There will be now, like 16 cars parking,” said an Edmontonian.

Tuesday, Councillor Michael Janz proposed to cap the number of units in an interior lot from eight to six, calling this a compromise.

“You’re seeing some very beautiful and very exciting builds on corners. It’s the mid-block stuff that comes with, not just the construction, but some of the other headaches. You’re affecting two properties beside you,” Janz explained.

Edmonton’s mayor is in favour of the motion, saying the city needs infill and he wants to address neighbourhood worries about more housing and more people. 

“Because in my mind, there aren’t too many eight-unit, mid-block projects taking place. But it’s just the perception sometimes in people’s minds, they look at it and say, ‘Oh my god, what is going on here?’ I think we just need to respond to those real and perceived concerns,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.

Councillors are hearing from a number of those for and against increased density in their neighbourhoods.

Peter Elliott is in favour of more density, but disagrees with capping infill at six units.

“I think there’s already a lot of compromises in the zoning bylaw renewal. Eight units is already a restriction on the size of houses that can be built. And there’s already restrictions on maximum lot usage, how many units you can have per square metre,” said Elliott.

The proposed cap will go to a public hearing on June 30.