As reported in the Edmonton Journal, twenty-five pitches for new, medium-density projects in Edmonton’s mature neighbourhoods — all vetted for technical and financial viability — are now online and they range from brilliant to the truly appalling.

With concrete examples of what developers want to build, city council should now know exactly what its new rules should allow and, just as important, what it should be banning completely.

One design is so tone deaf it doesn’t even show the poor neighbours in the rendering, as if trying to trick the jury into thinking a four-storey wall along the entire south edge of an existing homeowner’s yard is a good idea.

No. It’s a terrible idea. That architect can head back to the sketch pad. Massive, sun-blocking walls have no place in the middle of Edmonton’s residential neighbourhoods.

City council wants to create opportunities for affordable homes in quiet, residential neighbourhoods. But it has to do that without losing those friendly, welcoming aspects of the neighbourhood residents love best.

That won’t be easy, but this competition shows it’s possible.

The designs are online for the people’s choice award. Voting is open until May 3 at edmonton.ca/InfillDesignPeoplesChoice.

City planners created the Missing Middle design competition to see what architects would like to build on a row of five lots in Spruce Avenue, at 106 Street and 112 Avenue. The five lots were bought and never used during LRT construction, and will now be sold for market price to the winner of the design competition. Rezoning fees will be waived.

Keep reading in the Edmonton Journal

 

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