Urban Planning Committee Minutes

Tuesday, December 05, 2023

9:30 A.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Council Chamber, 2nd floor, City Hall

Present:

• A. Stevenson, 
• K. Tang, 
• T. Cartmell, 
• E. Rutherford, 
• and A. Sohi 

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1.

Call to Order and Related Business

1.1

Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement

Councillor A. Stevenson called the meeting to order at 9:34 a.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2023, and acknowledged that Urban Planning Committee meets on the traditional land of Treaty 6 Territory and Métis Homelands. The Chair also acknowledged the diverse Indigenous peoples whose ancestors' footsteps have marked this territory for centuries such as: Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, as well as Métis and Inuit, and now settlers from around the world.

1.2

Roll Call

Councillor A. Stevenson conducted roll call and confirmed the attendance of Members of Urban Planning Committee.

Councillor T. Cartmell was absent with notice for a portion of the meeting.

Mayor A. Sohi is a Committee Member pursuant to section 15(3), Council Committees Bylaw 18156.

Councillors S. Hamilton, M. Janz, A. Knack, A. Paquette, K. Principe, A. Salvador and  J. Wright; and C. Martin, E. Norton, J. Shearer, M. de Guzman, A. Karbashewski and T. Orbell, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance.

1.3

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved by: K. Tang

  That the December 5, 2023, Urban Planning Committee meeting agenda be adopted.

  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)
• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That the following item be postponed to the January 16, 2024, Urban Planning Committee meeting:

  • 7.2 Closed and Shared Streets in Downtown
  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)
• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That the following item be postponed to the January 16, 2024, Urban Planning Committee meeting:

  • 7.4 Commingle Paratransit and On Demand Services
  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

1.4

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: K. Tang

  That the October 31, 2023, Urban Planning Committee meeting minutes be approved.

  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

1.5

Protocol Items

There were no Protocol Items.

2.

Items for Discussion and Related Business

2.1

Select Items for Debate

The following items were selected for debate: 5.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6.

2.2

Vote on Reports not Selected for Debate

• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That the recommendation in the following report be approved:

  • 6.1 Arterial Road Assessment
  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

2.3

Requests to Speak

• Moved by: K. Tang

  That Urban Planning Committee hear from the following speakers, in panels when appropriate:

  • 7.1 District Planning - 1.25 Million and 2 Million Population Milestones

  Panel 1:

  1. 1. 1. K. Brown
        2. L. Kawun
        3. C. Hefferon
        4. K. Anderson, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Region
        5. E. Shillington
        6. P. Lanni
        7. D. Johnson
        8. J. Dawang
        9. A. Kodian, Canadian Home Builders' Association - Edmonton Region
        10. D. Percy

  Panel 2:

  1. 1. 1. A. Bembridge
        2. M. Gordon, Better Infill
        3. K. Taft, Better Infill
        4. R. Smyth, Glenora Community League
        5. C. Secord, Glenora Community League
        6. L. Stirton, Glenora Community League
        7. E. Solez, Scona District Community Council
        8. J. Hardstaff, Scona District Community Council
        9. B. Zubot, Scona District Community Council
        10. L. Kraus

  Panel 3:

  1. 1. 1. D. Forbes, Scona District Community Council
        2. S. Cherdarchuk, Scona District Community Council
        3. N. Rheubottom, Infill Development in Edmonton Association
        4. J. Cunha, Infill Development in Edmonton Association (to answer questions only)
        5. C. Mowat
        6. K. Becker Brookes
        7. P. Grewal, Highway 19 Investors Group
        8. L. Cunningham-Shpeley, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
        9. D. Kronewitt Martin
        10. W. Banas

  • 7.2 Closed and Shared Streets in Downtown

  1. 1. 1. J. Syvixay, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Region
        2. A. Hryciw, Downtown Recovery Coalition
        3. S. Lohner, Paths for People
        4. C. Probert, Downtown Edmonton Community League
        5. P. McBryan, Edmonton Downtown Business Association
        6. S. Raitz, Paths for People
           

  • 7.3 Affordable Housing Contributions Approach

  1. 1. 1. L. Bruno, Canadian Home Builders' Association - Edmonton Region
        2. A. Kodian, Canadian Home Builders' Association - Edmonton Region
        3. K. Anderson, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Region
        4. N. Rheubottom, Infill Development in Edmonton Association
        5. J. Cunha, Infill Development in Edmonton Association (to answer questions only)

  • 7.4 Commingle Paratransit and On Demand Services
  • 7.5 ETSAB Ridership Improvement Strategies
  • 7.6 Administration Response: ETSAB Ridership Improvement Strategies

  1. 1. 1. M. Adria
  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)
• Moved by: K. Tang

  That Urban Planning Committee hear from the following additional speaker:

  • 7.1 District Planning - 1.25 Million and 2 Million Population Milestones

  1. D. Thomas, Glenora Community League

  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)

2.4

Requests for Specific Time on Agenda

There were no requests for items to be dealt with at a specific time on the agenda.

3.

Councillor Inquiries

There were no Councillor Inquiries.

4.

Reports to be Dealt with at a Different Meeting

There were no Reports to be Dealt with at a Different Meeting.

5.

Requests to Reschedule Reports

5.1

Potential Work Plan for Rezoning Priority Areas

The following member of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• K. Petrin, Acting Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy 

• Moved by: E. Rutherford

  That the revised due date of February 27, 2024, Urban Planning Committee, for the Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01232, Potential Work Plan for Rezoning Priority Areas, be approved.

  Due Date: February 27, 2024, Urban Planning Committee 

  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)

6.

Unfinished Business

6.1

Arterial Road Assessment

This item was not selected for debate and was dealt with as part of item 2.2. The following motion carried:

That the October 31, 2023, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01825, be received for information.

6.2

Real Time Traffic Monitoring Review

The following members of Administration's delegation made a presentation and answered questions:

• E. Robar, Deputy City Manager, City Operations
• S.Ibrahim, City Operations

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• C. McKeown, City Operations
• J. Chow, City Operations

• Moved by: K. Tang

  Traffic Signals Program Review

  That Administration provide a report along with an implementation plan for a review of the Traffic Signals program which includes updated guidelines with options for advance detection and full actuation of traffic signals along with prioritization criteria for upgrading existing or installing new traffic signals in alignment with the City Plan, the Safe Mobility Strategy and other roadway network guidelines and that the review explore options for service enhancements and resource requirements, including impacts to the 2025, 2026, and 2027-2030 Capital and Operating budgets.

  Due date: First Quarter 2025, Urban Planning Committee

  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

7.

Public Reports

7.1

District Planning - 1.25 Million and 2 Million Population Milestones

The following members of Administration's delegation made a presentation:

• K. Petrin, Acting Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy
• S. Bohle, Urban Planning and Economy

Panel 1:

The following public speakers made presentations:

• L. Kawun
• E. Shillington
• D. Percy

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• K. Brown
• J. Dawang
• A. Kodian, Canadian Home Builders' Association - Edmonton Region
• K. Anderson, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Region
• P. Lanni
• D. Johnson

Panel 2:

The following public speakers made presentations:

• C. Secord, Glenora Community League
• L. Stirton, Glenora Community League
• J. Hardstaff, Scona District Community Council
• L. Kraus

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• B. Zubot, Scona District Community Council
• R. Smyth, Glenora Community League
• K. Taft, Better Infill
• M. Gordon, Better Infill
• A. Bembridge
• E. Solez, Scona District Community Council

Panel 3:

The following public speakers made presentations:

• D. Forbes, Scona District Community Council
• N. Rheubottom, Infill Development in Edmonton Association
• C. Mowat
• D. Kronewitt Martin
• D. Thomas, Glenora Community League

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• P. Grewal, Highway 19 Investors Group
• S. Cherdarchuk, Scona District Community Council

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• S. Kuiper, Urban Planning and Economy
• S. Bohle, Urban Planning and Economy
• K. Snyder, Urban Planning and Economy
• K. Petrin, Acting Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy

• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That the draft District Policy and District Plans, as outlined in the December 5, 2023, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01671, be referred back to Administration to improve the accessibility of the documents through:

  1. incorporating relevant content from the District Policy into each of the District Plans so that each District Plan is self contained without the need for a separate District Policy document,
  2. adjusting the organization of the District Plan contents to maximize accessibility for users,
  3. consolidating and simplifying Map 6: Land Use Concept and Map 7: Nodes and Corridors in the District Plans to provide a singular land use concept, 
  4. removing the Local Node identifiers on the consolidated Maps 6 and 7,
  5. removing the definitive boundary graphically indicating the node and corridor boundaries to ensure consistency with how development transitions are described in the District Policy, and
  6. conducting advise-level engagement on the above changes.
  
  
  
  
  
• Moved by: E. Rutherford

  Amendment:

  That the following parts be deleted:

  1. incorporating relevant content from the District Policy into each of the District Plans so that each District Plan is self contained without the need for a separate District Policy document,

  3. consolidating and simplifying Map 6: Land Use Concept and Map 7: Nodes and Corridors in the District Plans to provide a singular land use concept,

  6. conducting advise-level engagement on the above changes.

  
  
  
  
  

  Members of Urban Planning Committee requested that the amendment be split for voting purposes.

  
  
• Moved by: E. Rutherford

  Amendment to Delete Part 1, put:

  That the following part be deleted:

  1. incorporating relevant content from the District Policy into each of the District Plans so that each District Plan is self contained without the need for a separate District Policy document.

  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)
• Moved by: E. Rutherford

  Amendment to Delete Part 3, put:

  That the following part be deleted:

  3. consolidating and simplifying Map 6: Land Use Concept and Map 7: Nodes and Corridors in the District Plans to provide a singular land use concept.

  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)
• Moved by: E. Rutherford

  Amendment to Delete Part 6, put:

  That the following part be deleted:

  6. conducting advise-level engagement on the above changes.

  
  

  In Favour (4)	A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson
  Opposed (1)	T. Cartmell

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 1)
• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  Motion as Amended, put:
  

  That the draft District Policy and District Plans, as outlined in the December 5, 2023, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01671, be referred back to Administration to improve the accessibility of the documents through:

  1. adjusting the organization of the District Plan contents to maximize accessibility for users,
  2. removing the Local Node identifiers on the consolidated Maps 6 and 7, and
  3. removing the definitive boundary graphically indicating the node and corridor boundaries to ensure consistency with how development transitions are described in the District Policy.

  Due Date: May 28/29/30, 2024, City Council Public Hearing

  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)

7.2

Closed and Shared Streets in Downtown

This item was postponed to the January 16, 2024, Urban Planning Committee meeting (see item 1.3).

7.3

Affordable Housing Contributions Approach

The following members of Administration's delegation made a presentation:

• J. Flaman, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
• C. Kjenner, Community Services

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• L. Bruno, Canadian Home Builders' Association - Edmonton Region
• K. Anderson, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Region
• N. Rheubottom, Infill Development in Edmonton Association

• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That Urban Planning Committee meet in private pursuant to sections 21 (disclosure harmful to intergovernmental relations) and 24 (advice from officials) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the discussion of item 7.3.

  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

  Urban Planning Committee met in private at 8:44 p.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

  The following member of Administration's delegation made a presentation and answered questions:

  • C. Kjenner, Community Services

  The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

  • Y. Oke, Office of the City Manager
  • K. Petrin, Acting Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy
  
  
• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That Urban Planning Committee meet in public.

  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

  Urban Planning Committee met in public at 9:01 p.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

  The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

  • K. Petrin, Acting Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy
  • A. Osman, Community Services
  
  
• Moved by: K. Tang

  Affordable Housing Contribution Options - Further Information and Recommendations

  That Administration continue exploring all affordable housing contribution options with priority on Options 1 and 2, as outlined in the December 5, 2023, Community Services report CS00738, and return to Committee with further information and recommendations.

  Due Date: February 27, 2024, Urban Planning Committee

  
  

  In Favour (4)

  T. Cartmell, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

7.4

Commingle Paratransit and On Demand Services

This item was postponed to the January 16, 2024, Urban Planning Committee meeting (see item 1.3).

7.5

ETSAB: Ridership Improvement Strategies

Items 7.5 and 7.6 were dealt with and voted on together.

The following members of the delegation made a presentation and answered questions:

• G. General, Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board
• J. Jackman, Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board

The following members of Administration's delegation made a presentation:

• E. Robar, Deputy City Manager, City Operations
• C. Hotton-Macdonald, City Operations

The following public speaker made a presentation:

• M. Adria

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• S. Feldman, City Operations
• C. Hotton-Macdonald, City Operations

• Moved by: E. Rutherford
  1. That the December 5, 2023, Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board report EXT02025, be received for information.
  2. That the December 5, 2023 City Operations report CO02060, be received for information.
  
  

  In Favour (5)

  T. Cartmell, A. Sohi, K. Tang, E. Rutherford, and A. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Carried (5 to 0)

7.6

Administration Response: ETSAB: Ridership Improvement Strategies

Items 7.5 and 7.6 were dealt with and voted on together (see item 7.5). 

8.

Responses to Councillor Inquiries

There were no Responses to Councillor Inquiries on the agenda.

9.

Private Reports

There were no Private Reports on the agenda.

10.

Motions Pending

There were no Motions Pending on the agenda.

11.

Notices of Motion and Motions without Customary Notice

11.1

Infrastructure Enhancement for City Transit Facilities (T. Cartmell)

Councillor T. Cartmell stated that at the next regular meeting of City Council, the following motion would be moved: 

That Administration provide a report outlining a detailed plan for a two-year trial for the use of fare gates at two transit facilities, including one LRT station with an underground platform; and outline a detailed costing for the trial and an evaluation plan in the report.

• Notice of Motion Given: December 5, 2023, Urban Planning Committee

11.2

124 Street Business Association One-time Funding (A. Stevenson)

Councillor A. Stevenson stated that at the next regular meeting of City Council, the following motion would be moved: 

That the 124 Street Business Association be provided $75,000 one-time funding in 2024 to support capital projects, with funding from the 2023 Council Contingency.

• Notice of Motion Given: December 5, 2023, Urban Planning Committee

12.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2023.