The Pulse: Oct. 28, 2024

Edmonton has proposed amending the zoning bylaw to require all new buildings to be constructed in ways that make them ready to add solar power and electric vehicle chargers, among several other changes.

In October, after council finished its marathon public hearing on the new bylaw, it asked administration to prepare bylaw amendments based on resident feedback. One feedback theme was that the bylaw didn't do enough to address climate change.

Administration has now proposed 15 action items that would further embed climate action into the bylaw and other city planning processes. The proposed changes are scheduled to be presented in a city report to council's urban planning committee on Oct. 29.

Amendments to the zoning bylaw that city administration is proposing could require all new buildings to be constructed to support solar power generation. The report said retrofitting an existing building to be solar-ready is more expensive than constructing it with that option baked in, and that having this option allows homeowners to choose whether they want to add solar panels. Administration said it will ensure the regulations do not conflict with the provincial Safety Codes Act, which includes the Alberta building code regulations. The code regulates energy efficiency and prohibits municipalities from requiring a higher standard of energy efficiency.

In the report, city administration used the same rationale to describe its proposed amendments to require all new buildings to be constructed in ways that allow one to add EV chargers. The amendments will be prepared so they don't conflict with provincial regulations, the report said.

Other changes proposed for the bylaw are new regulations for wildfire risk areas. The report said as Edmonton's climate becomes warmer and drier, the city could experience more fires, especially in areas where homes and other human activity are adjacent to forested areas. Administration proposes adding FireSmart regulations into the zoning bylaw to help mitigate these risks.

The city is also assessing flood risk for the North Saskatchewan River to reflect climate projections in more detail. The report said staff will use this study and new provincial flood maps to update the floodplain protection overlay in the zoning bylaw.

Administration is also proposing to explore how to improve landscaping requirements in the zoning bylaw. The report describes resilient landscaping, which includes the use of drought-resistant species, native plants, low-impact development, and improved parking lot landscaping. Administration said it will also explore how to get more developers to comply with the zoning bylaw's landscaping requirements by changing how it collects landscape securities, a deposit used to ensure developers meet requirements. Developers would need to submit the security just after receiving a development permit and would receive 80% of it back if they pass an initial landscape inspection. The remaining security would be returned after a two-year landscape inspection.

• The City of Edmonton identified a fifth elm tree infected with Dutch elm disease in the Killarney neighbourhood, where four other infected trees were identified. The City said it is working with the property owner to remove the tree to prevent further spread, while continuing to monitor and assess trees within a one-kilometre zone. Residents are urged to help contain the disease by not transporting firewood, pruning elm trees between October and March, and reporting signs of infection to 311.
• The City of Edmonton introduced a two-year pilot program to provide free snow removal services to low-income seniors and residents with disabilities or mobility challenges. The Assisted Snow Removal Program is intended to improve safety and accessibility during the winter by clearing primary walkways and public sidewalks next to properties within 24 hours of a snowfall. Eligible residents can apply online.
• The City of Edmonton has hired former Conservative MP Monte Solberg to lobby for its interests with the UCP government ahead of the 2025 provincial budget amid ongoing financial challenges, CTV reported. Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi has criticized the province for only paying 50% of its property taxes on provincial buildings in the city, leading to an $80-million shortfall since 2019. Edmonton's lobbying effort is part of a broader trend of Alberta municipalities engaging in lobbying activities. Edmonton did not disclose how much its lobbying contract cost because it is less than $250,000 and not subject to public reporting requirements.
• CUPE Local 474, representing public school custodians, has not yet served a 72-hour strike notice, despite a 97% vote in favour of striking if negotiations with the Edmonton Public School Board remain at an impasse. The provincial government's wage caps and mandated bargaining restrictions are key issues in the ongoing labour dispute. Educational assistants and support staff rallied at the Alberta legislature on Oct. 24 to protest low wages and the province's decision to implement a disputes inquiry board.
• The Mustard Seed has closed its building on 96 Street in Edmonton, a historic site recognized for its gothic revival architecture, due to maintenance challenges and safety concerns. The building, which is on the City of Edmonton's inventory of historic resources but is not a protected site, is likely to be demolished and eventually replaced. The closure means the relocation of the organization's food depot program to the Mustard Seed Health and Wellness Centre on 105 Avenue.
• Refuge Mission Hall, a volunteer-based soup kitchen in downtown Edmonton, has seen a significant rise in demand, now serving more than 200 people some nights. The organization, led by president Colin Chong, is open year-round, and relies heavily on donations. Chong noted an increase in homeless women accessing services, some of whom avoid shelters because of safety concerns.
• Jerry Dolynchuk's home in north Edmonton, known as Maisie's Magical Christmas House, has been transformed for Halloween for the fourth straight year with a "The Nightmare Before Christmas" theme, featuring elaborate decorations like life-size werewolves and Beetlejuice. This year, Dolynchuk said he has spent about $150,000 on the display and is collecting donations for Second Chance Animal Rescue in memory of his mother. Dolynchuk has a goal to raise $10,000 and plans to switch to Christmas decorations on Nov. 1.
• CBC News profiled Pipestone Timber Company, a custom sawmill south of Edmonton. "A lot of the lumber I sell, I know exactly where that tree grew," owner Haley Cochrane told CBC Edmonton AM host Mark Connolly.
• Edmonton high school students Saras Agrawal and Rateb Ajamieh founded Prints4Play, a project that recycles 3D printed waste from the University of Alberta into new filament to create and donate toys to local organizations for free. The pair have produced about 1,000 toys so far, and aim to double that number by the end of the year.
• CBC News offered a behind-the-scenes look at the effort involved in creating the big-screen presentations during live Edmonton Oilers games at Rogers Place. The production team meticulously plans and executes the game-day experience for fans, ensuring every moment is timed perfectly.
• The Edmonton Elks ended their season by defeating the Toronto Argonauts 31-30 in an overtime victory at Commonwealth Stadium. Despite the game having no impact on the team's CFL standings, the win offered hope for the team's future as the Elks improved their record this year to 7-11 from last year's 4-14.

This week, city council committees will meet to renew an agreement with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, review the Edmonton Police Service's non-competitive procurement agreements, and discuss guidelines for single-egress buildings.

There is a community and public services committee meeting scheduled for Oct. 28, an urban planning committee meeting scheduled for Oct. 29, and an executive committee meeting scheduled for Oct. 30. There is a code of conduct sub-committee meeting scheduled for Nov. 1.

Here are key items on this week's agenda:

• The Otipemisiwak Métis Government, formerly known as the Métis Nation of Alberta, will visit council chambers on Oct. 28 to update its memorandum of shared recognition and cooperation with the City of Edmonton. In February 2023, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government signed an agreement with the Government of Canada that recognizes it as an Indigenous government within Alberta, granting it law-making powers in areas such as citizenship, leadership, and government operations. Edmonton and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government have revised the memorandum to reflect the federal recognition, as well as to create an action plan to address priorities for both parties. The parties agree to advance housing opportunities for Otipemisiwak Métis Government members living in Edmonton and foster Métis economic development.
• Council's executive committee is scheduled to review the Edmonton Police Service's non-competitive procurement agreements that exceed $250,000 at a meeting on Oct. 30. The largest non-competitive agreement is a $16.2 million contract with Axon Public Safety for body-worn cameras. The United Conservative Party government announced in March 2023 that body-worn cameras would be mandatory for all police officers in Alberta. After EPS started working with Axon, the provincial government said it would complete a competitive procurement for all municipalities, so EPS entered into a contract with Axon until the provincial process is completed. The second-largest contract is for $4.2 million with the Villeneuve Aviation Centre, which provides aviation fuel to EPS.
• The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation will give the City of Edmonton, Dub Architects, and Toronto-based LGA Architects $200,000 to develop a guideline for developers who want to construct a building taller than two storeys with only one set of stairs. Such buildings, known as single-egress buildings or point access blocks, are prohibited in Edmonton and most of North America due to concerns about fires blocking escape routes, but advocates told Taproot the building form can provide greater flexibility and density and lead to more family-friendly units. Single-egress buildings are common in Europe and Asia, but are not allowed in Alberta unless a developer sends an alternative solution proposal to the city. In a report scheduled to be presented to council's urban planning committee on Oct. 29, administration said it rarely receives such proposals. City staff and the architecture firms will work to create a guideline to help developers submit alternative solution proposals for point-access blocks. The guideline is scheduled to be completed by the end of December, making Edmonton one of the first cities in Canada to develop municipality-led design guidelines for the building form.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Board Game Night starting at 4pm at Brewsters Meadowlark
• Diplomat's Good People Party starting at 5:30pm at 9910
• Food For Thought: A Culinary Bookclub starting at 6:30pm at EPL Stanley Milner
• Deadmonton Haunted House starting at 6:30pm at 9300 47 Street NW
• STARFest: Conor Kerr starting at 7pm at St. Albert Public Library
• Audreys Book Club starting at 7pm at Audreys Books

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Oct. 30: State of the Province at Edmonton Convention Centre
• Nov. 1: 35th Annual ASTech Awards Gala at Delta by Marriott Edmonton South
• Nov. 13: An Evening with Margaret Atwood at Jubilee Auditorium
• Nov. 15: Climate Quest Sip & Science at TELUS World of Science Edmonton

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.