St. Albert’s city council has opted against amending its land-use bylaw to facilitate more infill development due to notable public resistance to additional skinny homes in older neighborhoods. The council contemplated modifications to streamline the construction of apartment buildings along St. Albert Trail, an area potentially earmarked for future rapid-transit stations. Furthermore, city planners proposed decreasing the minimum lot-width requirements in low-density residential areas to enable the construction of more skinny homes with single driveways in older sections.
During the city council meeting on Tuesday, Coun. Sheena Hughes expressed that residents had expressed strong opposition to infill developments, emphasizing that such changes do not align with the community’s preferences. City planners emphasized the need for a diverse range of housing options at various price points, including rentals and non-market units, to maintain competitiveness with other jurisdictions.
Senior planner Craig Walker highlighted during the meeting that the recommended minimum lot widths in St. Albert were higher than neighboring areas such as Morinville and Beaumont. Under the current regulations, only a small percentage of low-density residential lots could be subdivided to accommodate skinny homes, but the proposed changes would increase this to 42%.
In addition, planners warned that rejecting the changes could jeopardize federal housing funding for the city. Despite some support for the amendments during a public hearing, concerns were raised about the potential impact of infill on affordability, privacy, and parking in neighborhoods.
Many speakers referenced Edmonton’s experience with infill developments as a cautionary tale, expressing fears of similar outcomes in St. Albert. After deliberation, the council voted 6-1 against the proposed land-use changes for mature neighborhoods, with concerns raised about parking availability and potential community discord.
Ultimately, the council also dismissed other proposed changes related to expanding housing options around St. Albert Trail and establishing a mixed-use, transit-oriented development district. The decision to reject these changes was motivated by a lack of thorough study on the implications and a desire to proceed with caution.