Residents will have a chance to address proposed housing density changes for a new neighbourhood in Riverside next month.
On Monday, St. Albert city council passed first reading of amendments to the land use bylaw that would change two residential zoning districts for Genstar's development off Rankin Drive. A public hearing has been set for April 6.
Select Engineering made the application for amendments on behalf of Genstar Development Company to rezone existing R1 and R2 parcels as RX and RXL.
The majority of those lands, totalling 52.9 acres, are currently zoned as low-density residential (R1), which allows for single family homes. Another 3.4 acre parcel is zoned as low-density residential (R2), which allows for duplexes and semi-detached homes. The amendments would change 50.4 acres from R1 to RX, 2.5 acres from R1 to RXL, and 3.4 acres from R2 to RX.
RX zoning allows for a mixture of single-detached, semi-detached and duplex housing, as well as townhouses with vehicle access to the street, with the aim of enabling smaller lots to achieve higher densities. RXL zoning allows for a similar housing mix, but with garages at the back of the lot. Last November, city council amended both RX and RXL districts to add zero lot-line regulations, which allow homes to be built closer together.
These changes would allow the new St. Albert neighbourhood to meet new residential density targets from the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board, though three residents living nearby raised concerns about the plan in written statements. Their names have been redacted.
One resident living on Red Fox Way told council they bought into the neighbourhood with the understanding that they would be surrounded by R1 low-density housing. With options open for lane homes and townhomes, the resident wrote they were concerned about potential impacts to property values and traffic congestion.
Another resident also noted how the changes deviate from the original plan, and raised concerns about environmental impact assessments, traffic congestion, safety and increased shading.
"Taxpayers who have invested in or future residents looking to buy into an R1 district are being discriminated against with the proposed changes," the first resident wrote.
According to the city, the proposed redistricting is consistent with the Riverside Area Structure Plan (ASP), which shows the areas as low-density residential.
