A demonstration took place in downtown Edmonton’s Churchill Square, where protesters carried signs with messages like “Infill is an assault” and “Rescind. Rethink. Redo.” The event aimed to urge the city council to revise its zoning bylaw.
Organized by Dallas Moravec, a local Realtor and chair of Edmonton Neighbourhoods United, the protest sought stricter regulations on infill developments, particularly focusing on concerns about multiplex and large-scale housing projects that impact mature neighborhoods.
Supporters of the protest expressed worries about the massing effect caused by developments like six and eight-plex buildings towering over single-family homes. On the other hand, Jacob Dawang of Grow Together Edmonton, advocating for increased infill developments, emphasized the benefits of infills in maintaining affordability, enhancing community vibrancy, and providing rental options in desired neighborhoods.
Dawang highlighted that limited infill options in other municipalities often force renters to choose between high-rise living or leaving the city, a scenario he believes Edmonton should avoid. The protest saw interactions between Dawang and attendees discussing compromises and concerns about housing regulations.
Since the implementation of the zoning bylaw in 2024, Edmonton has made adjustments to infill restrictions, including reducing building footprint allowances, limiting side doors on properties, and lowering maximum building heights. Moravec acknowledged some progress in city council’s responsiveness to community feedback, noting small changes made in response to advocacy efforts.
Coun. Anne Stevenson mentioned that recent modifications to the bylaw were influenced by public input, aiming to enhance regulations to better suit neighborhood contexts. The upcoming public hearing on October 13 will address proposed small and medium-scale housing projects in Mckernan, Westmount, and Kenilworth neighborhoods.