This inquiry is about whether the Skyrattler neighbourhood and its surplus school site are suitable for development under the City of Edmonton's First Place Program.  Skyrattler has a very small park in a neighbourhood with a high percentage of multi-unit housing.  The First Place Program is proposing to make the small park smaller and the already dense neighbourhood more dense.  Additionally the potential of a significant residential development exists on 22 acres of privately owned land across the road from the Skyrattler park.

Could Administration provide the following information:

1.  What proportion of dwellings are multi-family units in each neighbourhood where First Place Program is proposed:

a.    Do any First Place Program neighbourhoods have as large a proportion of multi-family dwellings as Skyrattler?

b.    What is the current units/hectare density of the Skyrattler Neighbourhood?

2.  What is the size of each green space designated for infill development under the First Place Program?

a.    If Skyrattler Park is redeveloped as currently planned, how much green space will be retained for public use?

b.    What is the minimal amount of green space per capita required for a higher density neighbourhood, according to City of Edmonton standards?

c.    Will the amount of green space remaining in Skyrattler, if Skyrattler Park is developed, meet current standards for higher density neighbourhoods in Edmonton?

3.  If Skyrattler Park is developed as currently planned under the First Place Program, what are the potential implications for future redevelopment of the 22 acre parcel of land located at 810 Saddleback Road?

  a.   Can Administration provide information about possible plans for development of this land (which was purchased by the Eminata Group in 2010) and the potential number of units in a highest and best use scenario?

  b.   Has Administration completed an analysis of the implications for Skyrattler Park and the subsequent park and green space needs should the Eminata Group lands be developed?

4.  4.  Did City of Edmonton representatives associated with the First Place Program commit to review the planned development of Skyrattler Park in 2012?

 a.  Was this review completed?

     b.  If not, why was the review not completed?

5.  Was the initial decision to include Skyrattler Park in the First Place Program based on inaccurate information about the size of the site?

6.  What are potential positive and negative impacts on Skyrattler as a neighbourhood as a result of this development?

7.  Has the City of Edmonton studied the role of parks and green space in families decisions to purchase multi-family infill housing?

I would request the inquiry response return to committee in the normal time frame.

Sustainable Dev.

Due Date:

Feb. 18, 2014

Executive

Advancing The Way Ahead

That Administration continue work on The Way Ahead and the Ways and prepare a report for the December 11, 2013, City Council meeting, the report to include:

1. A timeline for review of The Way We Move Goal Statement.

2. Timelines for review of the corporate outcomes, corporate measures and targets for each of the six 10-year goals.

3. Timelines for completion of the outstanding implementation plans.

4. High level options for Council to consider that would place greater emphasis on public engagement within The Ways.

Financial Svcs. and Utilities

Due Date: Dec. 11, 2013