Dan O'Brien

Edmonton needs more housing. But more density and better planning are not necessarily the same thing. I live in Glenora. Behind our home, neighbours are challenging a proposed eightplex on a street originally built for single-family homes. Elsewhere in Edmonton, residents have described a single residential property being subdivided to accommodate two eightplexes. Sixteen units where one home once stood. Where do the vehicles park? Can the streets and alleys accommodate the additional traffic? What about waste collection, drainage, privacy, mature trees and the impact on neighbouring property values? These aren’t objections to growth. They’re fundamental planning questions. And then there’s the question of public trust. Before Council approved Edmonton’s sweeping 2023 zoning overhaul, a Pollara survey of 300 residents found that 62% had never heard of the proposed changes. Only 3% felt capable of explaining them. Yes, the City conducted public consultations. But consultation and meaningful public understanding are not the same thing. Every Edmonton homeowner pays property taxes based substantially on assessed property value. Whether someone owns a modest bungalow or a multimillion-dollar home, shouldn’t they reasonably expect the City to consider the financial consequences of fundamentally changing the planning rules around them? Nobody has a right to freeze a neighbourhood in time. But residents should be able to expect thoughtful planning, transparent decisions and respect for the investments they’ve made in their communities. I’m not opposed to infill. Next door stands a remarkable 1958 Modernist home that was facing redevelopment. I spoke with the developer, who listened, and the property was subsequently offered for preservation through renovation rather than demolition. That’s what constructive engagement can accomplish. Edmonton needs more homes, more investment and more opportunities for people to live in established neighbourhoods. We can pursue those goals while respecting architectural heritage, neighbourhood character and existing residents. These objectives are not mutually exclusive. Council had the authority to change the zoning rules. That doesn’t settle whether it exercised that authority wisely. Good planning considers not just how many units can fit on a lot, but the long-term consequences for the people, infrastructure and communities around it. Edmontonians deserve growth that makes the whole city stronger. AI helped me research (I was lazy but still mad tonight) and sharpen this post. The views are mine. The real work belongs to the dedicated Edmontonians fighting to be heard. Credit where it’s due. #yegcc #yeginfill