Edmonton Ends Exclusionary Zoning
A step in the right direction, and Calgary can do better
Following a marathon public hearing and lengthy council deliberation, the City of Edmonton passed a revised zoning bylaw yesterday effectively ending exclusionary zoning.
Under the new bylaw, Edmontonians can build up to 8 units on a lot with a height of 10.5m. While the public input throughout the week was fairly evenly divided between those in favour and those opposed, in the end it wasn't close and passed 11-2.
On the one hand, Edmonton's bylaw is one of the boldest in the country. Unlike Victoria's missing middle policy, which included enough poison pills to make it relatively useless, Edmonton's was actually designed to spur the building of homes of different shapes, sizes, and price points.
On the other hand, the bylaw is not actually that bold: It's really the gentlest of incremental changes, and will not on its own be sufficient to solve a housing crisis or create a truly sustainable and equitable housing system. The homes built under the new RS zone type are still very low density, and it will remain difficult to build apartment buildings throughout the city.
But let's not let the fact that this is not a magic bullet detract from the fact that it is a big win for Edmonton. The success of Edmonton's zoning bylaw renewal was the result of years of engagement and advocacy by numerous groups and individuals.
We do want to give a shout out to the recently-formed Grow Together Edmonton, a sort of sister organization to More Neighbours Calgary, and enthusiastic boosters of legalizing housing.
Let's hope that the success of Edmonton's zoning bylaw renewal effort portends good things for Calgary, as we'll go through our own zoning bylaw public hearing next year. Following some missteps on the housing affordability file this past June, Calgary City Council seems more attuned to the urgency of the housing situation, and the folly of only listening to voices advocating for the status quo. Never one to be outdone, Calgary's proposal to incorporate R-CG housing into its base zone will be even bolder than Edmonton's.
