Last week highlights
Last week, I started a Climate Leadership course, which is particularly timely as St. Albert Council heads into our strategic planning session in a few weeks. Last year, one of my MBA electives was Sustainable Development and Business - So this FCM course builds on my understanding of how coordinated planning and investment in low-carbon resilience sets up municipalities for success in terms of economic and health outcomes. I look forward to the rest of this series in the coming weeks to better understand how St. Albert can leverage climate resiliency to create long-term sustainability for our community.
Last week, I was also invited by Mayor Heron to meet with Minister Pon (Alberta Minister of Seniors & Housing) about housing needs in St. Albert. In line with the message in the Climate Leadership course, accessible housing creates long-term sustainability in the community as we grow.
Agenda highlights
Prior to our 2pm meeting, Council will be participating in a Parks Bylaw Workshop. Our Parks bylaw is in need of a major update, so this workshop is the presentation of a proposed new bylaw that adds clarity and provides additional protections for our green spaces.
E-Scooters
Last week, the Community Living Standing Committee was provided an update on the e-scooter pilot program. Although no recommendations were made to cancel or modify the pilot last week, it’s possible that these options are considered at the Council level.
EIA Funding ($573,847)
Last year, Edmonton Global requested that municipalities in the region provide a 3-year $15 million donation to the Edmonton International Airport. The fund is currently $3,737 short of reaching the target amount.
This is “an incentive fund, financed by 14 municipalities within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, for the purpose of incentivizing airlines to re-establish priority direct international flights to and from the region by reducing the resumption and start-up risks for airlines, such as aircraft leases and ownership, IT costs, fuel, check-in staff, and ground handling.
The [fund] is intended to be a one-time levy spread over three years, from 2021 to 2023. Although the [fund] request to municipalities has been led by Edmonton Global, its shareholders are not required to contribute to the fund. Contributions are made voluntarily.
Edmonton Global projects that the $15 million fund, along with in-kind support by Edmonton International Airport, will result in the creation of 7,000 jobs and an economic impact on the GDP of the greater Edmonton Metropolitan Region of $415 million.”
When Council considered this request last year, it was decided to only provide 1 year of funding ($145,154) and decide about future funding ($573,847) in 2022. Council also requested that a different funding model is considered, and that if fundraising from other levels of government exceeded the $15M total ask, our contribution is returned. Administration is recommending that St. Albert not contribute funding for the 2nd & 3rd year of this request.
Jensen Lakes ASP Amendment (1st reading)
This is to set the public hearing date for Q2, 2022 to add almost 194 acres to the Jensen Lake Area Structure Plan (ASP). If the amendment is approved by the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board, we can set a firm date for the public hearing. This is the most significant addition since our new MDP was approved, which is reflected in the proposed neighbourhood design.
Jensen Lakes 12th Redistricting (1st reading)
This is to set the the public hearing date for Q2, 2022 to allow residential development in a small undeveloped NE corner of Jensen Lakes.
Land Use Bylaw Amendments (1st reading)
This is to set the public hearing dates to March 21, 2022 for proposed changes to lot width distribution requirements and to streamline setback requirements for townhomes.
The first proposed change removes the necessity to create specific lot widths in new developments. Right now, we “require that 0-25% of all single-detached residential lots be under 10 m wide, that 35-80% be between 10-12.5 m wide, and that 10-40% be wider than 12.5 m”. If this bylaw is passed, the City can still addresses the need for diverse housing through an MDP policy that “require[s] all new statutory plans with a residential component to include a variety of housing forms”.
The second proposed change “proposes that corner-lot side-setbacks be amended to the same for all street-oriented townhouses when the building height is up to 11.0 m (and 11.5 m with a walkout or drive-under garage), regardless of the land use district”. Currently, we have different regulations for this product depending on the district. The proposed change aligns with our newest residential districts:
This is a brief and incomplete overview of my activities as a councillor and Council meetings, with my personal comments sprinkled in - In no way are my opinions representative of the official direction of council or the City of St. Albert. Please let me know of any typos or errors. Residents can register to speak if they have information to present to council. Full agenda packages can be found on the stalbert.ca website.
