Urban Planning Committee Minutes

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

9:30 A.m. - 5:00 P.m.

River Valley Room, 1st 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 Acknowledgment

Councillor A. Stevenson called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m., Tuesday, September 19, 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.

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

Councillor E. Rutherford was absent with notice for a portion of the meeting.

Councillors M. Janz, A. Knack, A. Paquette, J. Rice, A. Salvador and J. Wright; and J. Vizbar, J. Shearer, B. Tyson and T. Orbell, Office of the City Clerk, were also in attendance.

1.3

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved by: K. Tang

  That the September 19, 2023, Urban Planning Committee meeting agenda be adopted with the following change:

  Addition:

  • 10. Motions Pending

  - 10.1 Licenses for E-scooters and E-bikes (E. Rutherford)

  
  

  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 August 29, 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: 6.1, 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3.

2.2

Vote on Reports not Selected for Debate

• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That the recommendations in the following reports be approved:

  • 5.1 Affordable Housing Contributions Approach
  • 5.2 District Planning - 1.25 Million and 2 Million Population Milestones
  
  

  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:

  • 6.1 Open Space Amenities in Developing Neighbourhoods

  1. 1. 1. M. Davis, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro (previously approved at the August 29/30, 2023, Urban Planning Committee meeting)
        2. W. Ollis, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro (previously approved at the August 29/30, 2023, Urban Planning Committee meeting)
        3. K. Anderson, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro (previously approved at the August 29/30, 2023, Urban Planning Committee meeting)
        4. R. Bath, United Aid Foundation

  • 7.1 Standards for Public Realm Infrastructure

  1. 1. 1. K. Anderson, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro
        2. K. Jenkins, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro

  • 7.2 Options to Address Surface Parking Lots in Centre City and The Quarters

  1. 1. 1. K. Anderson, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro
        2. D. McGarvey, 1246430 Alberta Ltd.
        3. J. Dawang
        4. P. McBryan, Edmonton Downtown Business Association
  
  

  In Favour (4)

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

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

2.4

Requests for Specific Time on Agenda

• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  That the following item be dealt with at a specific time on the agenda:

  • 7.1 Standards for Public Realm Infrastructure - Third item of business
  
  
  
  
  

  With the unanimous consent of Urban Planning Committee, the motion carried.

  
  

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

Affordable Housing Contributions Approach

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

That the revised due date of December 5, 2023, Urban Planning Committee, for the Community Services report CS00738, Affordable Housing Contributions Approach, be approved.

Revised Due Date: December 5, 2023, Urban Planning Committee

5.2

District Planning - 1.25 Million and 2 Million Population Milestones

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

That the revised due date of December 5, 2023, Urban Planning Committee, for the Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01671, District Planning - 1.25 Million and 2 Million Population Milestones, be approved.

Revised Due Date: December 5, 2023, Urban Planning Committee

6.

Unfinished Business

6.1

Open Space Amenities in Developing Neighbourhoods

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

• K. Snyder, Urban Planning and Economy
• H. Hassan, Urban Planning and Economy

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• K. Anderson, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro
• W. Ollis, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro
• M. Davis, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• H. Hassan, Urban Planning and Economy
• K. Petrin, Acting Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy
• B. Pinches, Urban Planning and Economy
• K. Snyder, Urban Planning and Economy
• S. Young, Integrated Infrastructure Services 

• Moved by: A. Sohi

  That Administration work with industry to explore potential changes to minimum standards as outlined in option one of the August 29, 2023, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01728, and provide a memo on the changes to standards.

  
  

  In Favour (4)

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

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)
• Moved by: T. Cartmell

  That Administration provide a memo to Council with information on a work plan to analyze and monitor the implications on housing affordability (cost and savings) of City initiatives, including recent and outstanding motions that contemplate developer investments.

  
  

  In Favour (4)

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

  
  
  
  Carried (4 to 0)

7.

Public Reports

7.1

Standards for Public Realm Infrastructure

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

• P. Ladouceur, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• N. Lazurko, Integrated Infrastructure Services

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• K. Anderson, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro
• K. Jenkins, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• A. Laughlin, Deputy City Manager, Integrated Infrastructure Services 
• P. Ladouceur, Integrated Infrastructure Services
• N. Lazurko, Integrated Infrastructure Services

• Moved by: K. Tang

  That Administration, as part of the update to City Policy C573A - Complete Streets:

  1. Incorporate direction for the inclusion of active transportation safety/accessibility and operational effectiveness, including standardization of raised crosswalks/intersections, pedestrian through zones, active pathways, boulevards, etc.  as a standard practice where appropriate in new development and renewal projects.
  2. Work with City building partners (for example: Urban Development Institute, Paths for People, Accessibility Advisory Committee) and other stakeholders to standardize the same items as point 1 by adjusting (for example: shrinking), and not increasing, the current road right-of-ways. 
  
  

  In Favour (3)

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

  
  
  
  Carried (3 to 0)

7.2

Options to Address Surface Parking Lots in Centre City and The Quarters

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

• A. Laliberte, Urban Planning and Economy
• B. Latchford, Urban Planning and Economy

The following public speaker made a presentation:  

• P. McBryan, Edmonton Downtown Business Association

The following public speakers made presentations and answered questions:

• D. McGarvey, 1246430 Alberta Ltd.
• J. Dawang
• K. Anderson, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• B. Latchford, Urban Planning and Economy
• K. Petrin, Acting Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy
• A. Szabo, Financial and Corporate Services
• L. Peter, Urban Planning and Economy
• A. Laliberte, Urban Planning and Economy
• C. Hodgson-Mousseau, Employee and Legal Services
• L. Ramaswamy, Employee and Legal Services

• Moved by: A. Stevenson

  Options to Address Surface Parking Lots in Centre City and The Quarters - Recommended Regulatory Options

  That the September 19, 2023, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01557 be referred back to Administration to recommend regulatory options that would advance Centre City vibrancy, safety and beautification in relation to unpermitted parking lots as well as information on options for fines that could be applied and an approach to engaging property owners of non-compliant surface parking lots.

  Due Date: First Quarter 2024, Urban Planning Committee 

  
  

  In Favour (3)

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

  
  
  
  Carried (3 to 0)

7.3

Update on Environmental Planning, Communication and Reporting

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

• K. Snyder, Urban Planning and Economy

The following members of Administration's delegation answered questions:

• S. Cicchini, Urban Planning and Economy
• C. Tomaras, Urban Planning and Economy
• K. Petrin, Acting Deputy City Manager, Urban Planning and Economy

• Moved by: K. Tang

  That the September 19, 2023, Urban Planning and Economy report UPE01669, be received for information.

  
  

  In Favour (3)

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

  
  
  
  Carried (3 to 0)

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

10.1

Licenses for E-scooters and E-bikes (E. Rutherford)

Councillor E. Rutherford stated that at the next regular meeting of Urban Planning Committee, the following motion would be moved:

That Administration provide a report to Committee summarizing the current licence(s) that are issued to vendors that provide services for e-scooters and e-bikes, as well as, a summary of the experience so far reported to the City, and any areas for improvement with new contracts.

• Notice of Motion Given: September 12/13, 2023, City Council
• Laid Over: September 19, 2023, Urban Planning Committee to October 11, 2023, Urban Planning Committee

11.

Notices of Motion and Motions without Customary Notice

Councillor A. Stevenson asked whether there were any Notices of Motion. There were none. 

12.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m., Tuesday, September 19, 2023.