The Pulse: June 30, 2025

Zoning regulations that city council approved in 2023, which allow for larger, multi-family buildings on many lots in most neighbourhoods, could be partially reversed after a public hearing on June 30. That's when Edmonton's council is set to debate several proposed changes to the zoning bylaw. If passed, the changes would limit the size and location of multi-family buildings in redeveloping neighbourhoods. Here's a guide to make sense of what's up for discussion:

1. Eight unit max

On June 30, Council will hear from the public about proposed amendments to reduce the maximum number of infill units the bylaw allows in mid-block developments — that is, those not on a corner lot.

The current eight-unit maximum applies to the small-scale residential (RS) zone, which allows buildings of up to eight units on mid-block lots that are 600 square metres or larger. This was one of the headline changes when the zoning bylaw renewal was introduced. In May, after roughly one year of the bylaw being in effect, Taproot reported that of 242 total development permits on lots where eight unit applications were an option, half applied to build eight units; the other half applied to build single-detached homes or duplexes.

On June 17, council's urban planning committee, along with councillors who not on that committee, debated a potential change to this introduced by Coun. Michael Janz, through a motion that asked administration to prepare the amendments to the zoning bylaw that would reduce the limit from eight to six.

Eric Cameracci, an Edmonton resident, urged councillors to maintain the eight-unit maximum. "I see these changes as killing the zoning bylaw renewal by a thousand cuts," Cameracci said. "We would eventually have feedback that six is still too much, and we'd go down to four, and then to two, then single family housing all over again."

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said he was open to having a conversation about changing the maximum, along with all the other proposed changes set for debate. "I think we need to have this conversation and bring people along on this journey, and let's see where the conversation takes us," Sohi said. "I think it's important to respond to the concerns from people, whether real or perceived."

Coun. Erin Rutherford said the city did enough consultation over the many years it worked on the zoning bylaw, and that the new bylaw hasn't been in effect long enough to determine whether resident fears about the changes are justified. "The whole reason we needed an entire zoning bylaw renewal and a comprehensive look is because of all these ... small amendments (over time) that led to discretion in the bylaw, that led to inconsistencies, and I worry that we're heading down that road again," Rutherford said.

Janz, plus councillors Jo-Anne Wright and Andrew Knack, and Mayor Sohi, voted in support of the motion. Coun. Jennifer Rice opposed the motion, and said she wants the maximum reduced to four units. (Rutherford did not vote as she is not a member of the council committee.)

In the council report that will be presented on June 30, administration said it supports lowering the unit maximum. This is a change from administration's position presented in its one-year review of the zoning bylaw renewal, released weeks ago. That report said administration did not recommend revisiting the unit maximum.

2. Cartmell calls for infill 'moratorium'

Tim Cartmell, the councillor for Ward pihêsiwin who is also running for mayor, released a statement on June 24 that said he intends to introduce a motion at the meeting on June 30 to "place a moratorium on all new infill development." Later, he posted an amended version of the statement on his website, which said he wants a temporary moratorium on mid-block infill.

• After two days of debate, Edmonton city council extended the Community Revitalization Levy for 10 years until 2044. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said the levy will help build more housing downtown and support arts and culture organizations. The extension allows the City of Edmonton to borrow against future tax revenue to fund revitalization projects. Councillors debated whether provincial support for the CRL was conditional on including projects tied to Oilers Entertainment Group, such as a $250 million event park and infrastructure for the ICE District.
• Edmonton will host various family-friendly events for Canada Day on July 1, including fireworks, activities at the Alberta legislature, and celebrations at the Edmonton Valley Zoo and Muttart Conservatory. Canada Day fireworks will light up the river valley at 11pm from Kinsmen Park, while the Alberta legislature will offer free entertainment and activities from noon to 4pm. Road closures will be in effect around Kinsmen Park, with parking restrictions on various streets from 7pm to midnight.
• Premier Danielle Smith said she intends to challenge a temporary injunction blocking Bill 26, which restricts gender-affirming care for youth. Justice Allison Kuntz granted the injunction after arguments that the law could cause irreparable harm. Smith said she believes the reverse is true and wants to "battle this out" in higher courts rather than use the notwithstanding clause, which she considers a "last resort." The provincial legislature isn't scheduled to sit again until October, so the notwithstanding clause couldn't be invoked before then.
• Renters in Edmonton's North Glenora neighbourhood say they are being demovicted from their 1950s-era townhomes by the end of August as Regency Developments redevelops the Glenora Patio Homes, CityNews reported. Residents, some paying as little as $900 a month, say the offers made to assist with relocation are insufficient, especially given the lack of affordable options in the city. Raj Dhunna of Regency Developments says that the company is keeping its promises, citing CMHC funding for affordable units in the new Sona Park building and a $400 rental credit for tenants who leave early.
• Ron Glen, president of the Alberta Construction Association, warned Edmonton city council's infrastructure committee of a looming financial disaster related to road infrastructure. Glen noted that provincial funding to municipalities has decreased, leading to more reconstruction being required instead of rehabilitation, which significantly increases costs. Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen stated that the government is making "significant investments," including $2 billion for infrastructure projects in the Edmonton region.
• FlixBus, which now owns Greyhound, will launch daily bus trips beginning July 1 between Regina, Saskatoon, and North Battleford, and will also offer daily service to Edmonton and Calgary from those Saskatchewan hubs. According to Sara Tohamy of FlixBus, strategic partnerships manager, there is demand for affordability, given the expense of gas and flights.
• Residents in the Highlands neighbourhood rallied to urge the City of Edmonton to convert a transit loop into a pocket park instead of rezoning it for infill housing.
• Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman said the team is ready to begin contract talks with Connor McDavid, who is eligible to sign a new contract as early as July 2. McDavid, entering the final year of his eight-year, $100 million contract, has indicated he wants to take time to regroup before making a decision about his future. Bowman also noted that contract talks have begun with Evan Bouchard, who can become a restricted free agent. McDavid said winning a Stanley Cup is a top priority.
• Marla Smith, an Edmonton disability advocate, is asking property owners to trim trees and shrubs that encroach on sidewalks, making them difficult to navigate for people with mobility challenges, CityNews reported. Smith notes that overgrown vegetation, along with obstacles like e-scooters and construction debris, create barriers for wheelchair users and seniors. Under Edmonton's Community Standards Bylaw, property owners must maintain vegetation growing onto sidewalks adjacent to their property. Residents can report obstructions to the City by calling 311.
• Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner announced an $8.3 billion surplus for the 2024 to 25 fiscal year, attributing it to increased tax revenue from population growth and higher-than-expected oil royalties. The province's non-renewable resource revenue totalled $22 billion, with bitumen royalties making up more than $17 billion. Alberta also received a $713 million lump sum payment as part of its $3.1 billion share of the tobacco class action settlement.
• Stephen Buffalo, CEO of the Indian Resource Council and member of the Samson Cree Nation south of Edmonton, has joined the Alberta Next panel as its 15th member. The panel, announced by Premier Danielle Smith on June 24, will consult with Albertans on how the province can push back against the federal government. Buffalo's appointment aims to ensure Indigenous perspectives are central to these discussions, Postmedia reported.

The final week of meetings before city council's summer break is packed with discussions about the zoning bylaw, a proposed development in Rossdale, a possible tax incentive for carbon capture projects, and much more.

There is a public hearing scheduled for June 30 and a city council meeting scheduled for July 2 and 4.

Here are key items on this week's agenda:

• Edmonton's zoning bylaw could be changed at a public hearing on June 30. Taproot has made sense of the proposed changes in a separate article.
• Council is scheduled to debate a rezoning application for a development in Rossdale. Gene Dub, a local developer and architect who designed Edmonton City Hall and other notable buildings, has proposed to build three residential buildings with up to 490 rental units in Rossdale. Each building would use a sloping design to increase in height from one to 17 storeys. Dub said he believes the development won't be at risk of flooding, even as updated forecasting models suggest two of the three buildings would be in water in the event of a hundred-year flood.
• Council is set to debate whether it should introduce a tax incentive for carbon capture facilities as part of its efforts to capture more of the region's industrial development within Edmonton's boundaries. Under the draft bylaw, projects that would be eligible would be new or expanded facilities that capture at least 300,000 tonnes of carbon annually and have at least $75 million in capital costs. The 10-year exemption to municipal taxes would not exceed $2.4 million per year per project, according to the draft bylaw, which council is set to debate on July 2.
• At a council meeting on July 2, council is scheduled to review several reports from committee meetings. Council will be asked to approved changes to the complete streets policy and the environmental impact assessment report for a bike skills park in the river valley. Council is also set to debate changes to enforcement during parking bans, introducing incentives for major industrial developments, and putting money behind the ArtsCommon 118 development on Alberta Avenue.
• Administration has worked with developers in the Lewis Farms area on a plan to widen roads sooner than expected in order to address traffic congestion. Pending council approval, developers would be responsible for paying to widen 215 Street southbound between 100 Avenue and 92 Avenue; Whitemud Drive westbound between Lewis Estates Boulevard to east of 215 Street; and Webber Greens Drive westbound from the commercial area to east of Suder Greens Drive. Developers would also fund pre-grading for the north side of Whitemud Drive between 215 Street and 231 Street.
• At a public hearing on June 30, council is scheduled to review rezoning applications in Windermere, Strathearn, Queen Alexandra, Inglewood, and two on the same block in McKernan.

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

Also: What issues do you care about as you consider who to vote for in the 2025 municipal election, and why? The 2025 municipal elections are approaching. Let us know what matters, and read more about what we plan to do with what we gather.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Draw-a-thon starting at 10am at Rossdale Community Hall
• Paper Trail Book Launch starting at 1pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Pain Monitoring and Management starting at 2pm online
• Build, Test & Learn – Product Vision starting at 6pm at Edmonton Unlimited
• Beyond the Barrel: Bridgeland Distillery starting at 6pm at L'OCA Quality Market (Sherwood Park)
• Audreys Book Club starting at 7pm at Audreys Books

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• July 5: Street Sparks: Ride, Learn & Explore at Booster Juice Recreation Centre in Terwillegar
• July 10: Architecture and Design Tour at Royal Alberta Museum
• July 11: Monthly Friendly Fridays at Darkhorse Analytics

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