The City Plan directs how the city needs to develop to welcome 1 million more residents and the City is working to align its plans and processes to support The City Plan’s vision.
For the first time, the City has undergone a broad review of all of its land use plans to determine which plans still provide direction for development and which have fulfilled their purpose.
Edmonton currently has more than 200 policies and plans in effect, some of which are 30+ years old. Plans are put in place to either guide the development of new areas or to address issues that existing neighbourhoods have had at specific times in the past. Some plans, though, remain in effect, even though they have fulfilled their purpose.
The City has made a Land Development Application (LDA) to repeal these plans, and will present the rationale to Council at a Public Hearing planned for June 1, 2021. Details on the confirmed public hearing date and how the public can participate will be made available when they are finalized.
How were the Proposed Land Use Plans Selected for Repeal?
The plans proposed for repeal were carefully reviewed and found to have fulfilled their intended purpose based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Plans are no longer advancing their intended purpose, for example, to guide the orderly development of new land (greenfield) including infrastructure and land-use zoning
- The City’s planning approach, needs, and direction have evolved over time
- The implementation of recent planning documents provide updated policy direction for an area
- Plans are beyond their intended time horizon
By retiring policy that is no longer relevant to current conditions, we can remove barriers to economic development for more inclusive communities.
Edmonton offers great opportunities today because of the plans that helped create it. Residents, communities, organizations, industry and other city-building partners have contributed to our city by providing insight and feedback on how we shape the communities we call home.
The City Plan presents our vision for the future, but honours Edmonton’s foundation. By retiring plans that have fulfilled their purpose, we celebrate their accomplishments and move forward with focus, taking bold steps to achieve our larger city-building goals.
