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Government Relations Committee 


June 23, 2020 

 

CHBA-ER spoke at the June 23 City Council Public Hearing in support of the innovative change to remove parking minimums in the City of Edmonton. This gives industry the ability to immediately begin planning for the right amount of parking based on each project, providing Edmontonians with more choice to fit their lifestyles and needs:

June 17, 2020 

  • The City of Edmonton is now accepting applications to its Economic Recovery Grant program for business that need help to reopen or pivot as a result of COVID-19. Read more.

  • Take the CHBA National Industry Status and Sentiment Survey: The survey will help CHBA better understand how the  government initiatives have been received and how they can ensure members are eligible and able to apply. Take the survey by July 3. 

May 21, 2020 


  • Zoning Bylaw Renewel - Open Option Parking - On January 28, 2020, City Council directed Administration to proceed with the preparation of Zoning Bylaw changes to enable Open Option Parking. Open Option Parking removes parking minimums and allows the builder or developer to assess the required parking based on market demand. CHBA-ER has been meaningfully engaged throughout the process and will have a member speak at the June 23, City Council Public Hearing in support of the change. Read more.

  • To replace the Cornerstones Grant Program, the City of Edmonton launched the Affordable Housing Investment Program - The program should be reopening for application intake in the fall. Colton Kirsop, Manager of Project Development, Affordable Housing and Homelessness, will be joining the June 15 Builder Forum to present on the program. Read more.

  • The City of Edmonton, EPCOR and CHBA-ER have created a 10 minute survey to better understand the needs of the infill development. Responses to this survey will be used to inform how EPCOR can improve its role in the infill development experience. The survey closes on May 21. Take survey.

April 15, 2020 

  • Letter to Edmonton City Council - The Association wrote a letter recommending the reduction of red tape such as fewer required inspections or reimagining how to safely continue to perform inspections. Read more

  • Municipality Matrix - CHBA-ER has created a Municipality Matrix to track what Edmonton and surrounding municipalities are doing in terms of inspections and approvals during COVID-19 as well as city/town council information. Read more

  • OSCAM Restrictions and Suspension of City of Edmonton Utility Cut Restoration Related To COVID-19 - The City of Edmonton will be implementing service level reductions to excavation and restoration work, effective March 20, 2020. These changes apply to road right-of-way excavations. Read more

March 25, 2020

  • Mortgage Stress Test- CHBA-ER wrote a letter commending the City of Edmonton Mayor and Council for requesting that the federal government review the Residential Mortgage Underwriting Practices and Procedures. Read more.

  • Fire Hydrant and Water Main Upgrades Cost Share Program - CHBA - ER wrote a letter to the City of Edmonton's Urban Planning Committee to discuss the City of Edmonton's Urban Planning Committee to discuss the Fire Hydrant and Water Main Upgrades Cost Sharing Program and the need for  planned infrastructure funding that will help protect infill affordability and encourage diversity in product choice. Read more. 

January 8, 2020 

  • The City of Edmonton came to GRC to give a presentation on the City Plan and heard comments and feedback from Committee members. The City Plan directly informs how Edmonton plans to grow – setting population and density, transportation, and urban planning goals. Read More. 

Advocacy

  • Urban Planning Committee - Open Option Parking & Expedited Infill Permit Program - CHBA – ER spoke at the City of Edmonton's Urban Planning Committee meeting in support of Open Option Parking. Administration is moving forward with this option, bringing it to City Council Public Hearing in June 2020. This option will allow industry the ability to determine the right amount of parking for each project, removing requirements to build to costly parking minimums. Read more.

  • We also recognized the work done by IDEA and the City of Edmonton in creating the Expedited Infill Permit Program, but noted that it does not address the root issue of infill permit timelines and offered to work with the City to find a more workable solution

  • City Plan - CHBA-ER has been directly engaged with the City Plan team, and has shared our member’s feedback and comments with them. Our efforts to ensure industry’s needs are accurately represented in the City Plan will continue throughout the entire process. Read more.

  • Zoning Bylaw Review - CHBA-ER has been working directly with the Zoning Bylaw Team to provide specific feedback on issues with the current Bylaw and what an ideal Bylaw would look like for our industry. We will be sharing the feedback we have received with the Zoning Bylaw team at the end of January.


Agendas and Minutes