On the agenda: LRT cell service, derelict properties, St. Anthony School

This week, council returns from the holiday break to discuss installing cell service in underground transit areas, taxing derelict properties at a higher rate, and the redevelopment of St. Anthony School.

There is a community and public services committee meeting scheduled on Jan. 20 at 9:30am and a special city council meeting scheduled on Jan. 20 at 1:30pm. There is an urban planning committee meeting scheduled on Jan. 21, an executive committee meeting scheduled on Jan. 22, and a public hearing scheduled on Jan. 24.

Here are key items on this week's agenda:

• LRT tunnels could have 5G cellphone service by next spring, should executive committee approve single-source agreements with TELUS. The company has proposed a 5G and 5G+ cellular network that could be used by all telecommunications providers in LRT tunnels and underground stations. TELUS would operate the system for up to 30 years. In 2023, city council approved $4.7 million to improve emergency communications in LRT tunnels and stations, but pending committee approval, the funding will be used for this project instead. Administration said the agreements also include promotional opportunities for TELUS. The agreements are scheduled to be reviewed on Jan. 22.
• A tax subclass that was introduced in 2024 appears to have encouraged owners of derelict properties to demolish, remediate, or sell their properties, according to a report that is scheduled to be presented to council's executive committee on Jan. 22. The derelict residential tax subclass applies to properties in mature neighbourhoods that show serious signs of neglect and is intended to encourage owners to maintain or improve the properties. Administration said 30% of the houses assessed as derelict in 2024 have already been demolished, compared to 0.25% of properties in the mature area. The subclass generated a net positive revenue of $184,000, which will help offset the cost of otherwise dealing with derelict properties. Administration said it would take few additional resources to expand the subclass to the rest of the city as soon as the 2027 tax year.
• Beljan Development's project to redevelop St. Anthony School and an adjacent parking lot could reach a new milestone as council is scheduled to vote on the property's rezoning at a public hearing on Jan. 24. The school, the first Catholic school on Edmonton's south side, is not a municipal historic resource and the current and proposed zoning would not protect it from demolition. Beljan's development manager Leah Kinsella told CBC Edmonton in September that the company plans to preserve the St. Anthony building, located at 10425 84 Avenue NW, and seek historical designation while accommodating new commercial retail tenants. While the lot's current zoning allows for a building of up to five storeys, the rezoning would allow for a building of up to nine storeys. Some residents oppose the application, saying that redeveloping the parking lot will affect the theatres, businesses, and special events in the area and that the new development will congest traffic. Those in support said adding housing will make the neighbourhood more vibrant and add customers and audiences for the businesses and theatres nearby.

Here are some other items on the agenda:

• Eins Development Consulting has applied to rezone a lot in Garneau at 10948 89 Avenue NW, which currently has one single-family house, to allow for a taller multi-unit building. The lot is zoned to allow for a three-storey building with at least 1.2 metres of space on each side. The proposed zone would allow for a building up to five storeys if there are three metres of space on each side. However, given the small size of the lot, it's more likely the development would be four storeys with 1.5 metres of space on each side, administration said. The lot had previously been part of the city's priority growth area rezoning project in which administration identified properties that are ideal for increased density, but the property was removed from the project following neighbourhood engagement. Now that it's up for rezoning again, some neighbours oppose the application because it was removed from the city's project. Council is scheduled to vote on the rezoning at a public hearing on Jan. 24.
• The Arabian Muslim Association, which owns the Edmonton Islamic Academy, has applied to rezone an industrial lot in the city's northwest to build a private school. Administration said it supports the application but noted the project would erode industrial land, which could undermine the recently adopted Industrial Investment Action Plan. The site is considered highly valuable because of its size, about 14 hectares, and contiguous nature; it is one of three remaining large parcels in the city, according to the rezoning report. It's also located with ease of access to Anthony Henday Drive and 142 Street NW and far from commercial and residential zoning, limiting off-site impacts and nuisances. Council is scheduled to vote on the rezoning at a public hearing on Jan. 24.
• City council's community and public services committee is scheduled to meet in private to discuss the naming rights for the Edmonton Elks' partner field.
• Administration has prepared amendments to the business licence bylaw aimed at regulating the types of stores where the sale of knives has been identified as a significant concern. The amendment adds a definition for knives and convenience stores to the bylaw, and if approved, the bylaw will prohibit convenience stores from selling knives of any kind except for basic cutlery. Council's community and public services committee is scheduled to review the bylaw on Jan. 20, and could recommend it be sent to council to be voted on.
• Administration is seeking council approval to sell or lease 11 surplus school sites so they can be used to build affordable housing. Council rezoned the school sites in the fall. Industry partners told administration that selling the sites is the quickest and simplest way for providers to secure additional funding and financing as they would hold direct equity in the land. However, if the land is sold instead of leased, the city would give up long-term control over housing affordability on these sites, as affordable housing agreements can be negotiated for a term of up to 40 years. Administration said it would consider lease or sale for each site on a case-by-case basis. City staff are also seeking approval for capital grants to incentivize developing the sites. The grants will cover up to 25% of the capital costs for the affordable housing units, including the value of the land, or more if the projects provide greater affordability or exceed energy efficiency requirements. Council's executive committee will be asked to approve the sale or lease of the school sites and the affordable housing grants at a meeting on Jan. 22. If it does, the decision will go to city council for a final vote.
• City council's urban planning committee will be asked to approve the environmental impact study for the bridge over Blackmud Creek that is being constructed as part of the Capital Line LRT south extension. The study said the new bridge could erode soil, contaminate the creek, lead to the loss of native vegetation, and disturb wildlife. It also identifies ways to mitigate these impacts. If urban planning committee approves the bridge, the report will go to a future city council meeting for a final vote. Construction of the extension is expected to start in the spring and take four to five years to complete.
• Administration proposes designating three properties as municipal historic resources. The McClory Residence and Brennan Residence are homes in Glenora that would be eligible for up to $100,000 for rehabilitation of historical elements. The South Side Market at 10335 83 Avenue NW, the building that houses Pip and Pals, is also being considered for historic designation.
• Council will meet in private for a regional update on Jan. 20. While there are no details about what council will discuss, other municipal bodies in the region are meeting this month to decide whether they will stay with the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board after the province cut funding to regional planning boards.

Meetings stream live on YouTube on the Chamber channel and River Valley Room channel.