The Alberta government has clarified some of its expectations for infill housing since ordering the City of Edmonton to reverse its current zoning bylaws last week. Projects already in progress can continue building, according to a statement from Alberta’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs. “The City of Edmonton is expected to amend their land-use bylaw within three months, to align with the direction of the Government of Alberta,” a ministry spokesperson said via email. Developers can still apply for permits under Edmonton’s current zoning rules until they’re changed, as per the Municipal Government Act. Last week, Premier Danielle Smith told the city it had until early January to reset zoning rules to the way they were before 2024, when multiplexes were not common on single-family lots. Within a three-month period, Edmonton is expected to adopt its pre-2024 infill development parameters, including rules set for housing types, density and height, as well as restore minimum on-site parking requirements – which were tossed by the city in 2020. An 18-month review period afterward is then meant to give council time to engage with the public on its approach to high-density infill and “ensure it is done within the policy statement set out by the province.” Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack has been vocal in denouncing the province’s move, saying it was an “overreach” and calling for more clarity on those policy expectations. “We’re now a week since the announcement was made, nothing’s been provided in writing,” Knack told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday. “There’s no way for city staff to begin work until we know what the province actually needs to be done.” The government said it would continue to meet with both Edmonton and Calgary to discuss “the announcement and support them as they work through the next steps.” Edmonton city council will hold an emergency meeting Friday to discuss the provincial directive.
