Well, at least Erin will walk amongst us -- at the Bonnie Doon Hall, 9240 93 Street, 5pm to 7pm on All Hallows' Eve. If you plan to be out trick or treating we hope you dare to visit us.

Our Civics & Planning chair, Ed, recently received this letter from the City...

Mr, Keding,

Sustainable Development has recently received an application to rezone the properties in question 8521 - 91 street NW, 8521 - 91 street NW and 8521 - 91 street NW, or the former Our Sisters of Charity, from its current US (Urban Services Zone) to an RA8 (Medium Rise Apartment Zone). With the RA8 zone being a standard zone and not a DC2 (Site Specific Development Control) there is limited ability for Sustainable Development to influence the design of the development at this (the rezoning) stage.

Sustainable Development will evaluate the suitability of the proposed Zone- intensity, land use, off-site affects including traffic, drainage etc., through its regular application and circulation process. If and when it goes to Public Hearing, Council will have the final say by approving or not approving the bylaw. Through this process, Sustainable Development will inform the surrounding property owners and community league of the application. Once this notice is sent out, residents and the community can contact me to provide their feedback on the proposed development. This feedback will be summarized in our report to Council if and when this application proceeds to Public Hearing. Additionally, if deemed warranted, an Information Meeting will be held by Sustainable Development and the Applicant regarding the application prior to Public Hearing. As always, if and when this application proceeds to Public Hearing (Council), the public has the opportunity to speak to the proposed Bylaw (application).

As mentioned above, RA8 is a standard zone and there are no requirements for detail design work during the rezoning process. The application will be approved or not approved based on the the suitability of the RA8 zone and its corresponding land uses, intensity of those uses, and general development regulations.

To view a copy of the RA8 zone please go here: http://webdocs.edmonton.ca/InfraPlan/zoningbylaw/ZoningBylaw/Part2/Residential/220_(RA8)_Medium_Rise_Apartment_Zone.htm

It is my understanding that the owner and agents have met with the community league prior to submitting this application. It would be my advice to continue this dialogue with the property owner to ensure the community's concerns are addresses.

In summary, there are 2 (possibly 3) formal channels for public feedback into the application process:

    1. Responding to Sustainable Development Notice
    2. Speak to the application at Public Hearing
    3. Possible information meeting (if deemed necessary)

If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me,

Thank you,

Travis

Travis Pawlyk
Planner
Current Planning, South East Area
City of Edmonton, Sustainable Development

Environmentalist and author Bill McKibben will speak at CSJ Wednesday, October 24 at 7:00 pm in the McMahon Pavilion Auditorium. He is a founder of the grassroots climate campaign 350.org, which has coordinated 15,000 rallies in 189 countries since 2009 and counts David Suzuki among its Messengers.

City Council voted to support a new Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) in our neighbourhood. The French Quarter will see improvements to streets, sidewalks and store fronts in part of Bonnie Doon. The Edmonton Journal published some details. The City website describes what a BRZ does.

Councillor Henderson invites all interested Bonnie Doon residents to a meeting to discuss challenges arising due to the Folk Festival. Members of the City administration will be present to discuss possible solutions.

It may be mostly about parking but will cover other related issues as well.

Thursday October 25
5:00 pm to 6:15 pm
Councillors' Office, 2nd Floor of City Hall.

Please RSVP only if you are attending, to help planning for the right-sized meeting room. RSVP to Laura Lee, Executive Assistant to Councillor Ben Henderson at [email protected] or 780-496-8146.

Council approved a Speed Reduction Policy that will allow Community Leagues to request that the City undertake a review of speed limits for residential roadways within their community, for consideration of reducing the speed limit on residential roadways within their community to 40 km/hr. Upon receipt of this request, the request will be referred to the Administration for review in accordance with City Procedures for consideration of speed reduction to 40 km/hr.
 
If it is determined, through a joint assessment of alternatives by the Administration and the Community, that use of a reduced 40 km/hr neighbourhood speed limit is appropriate; a Traffic Bylaw amendment will be prepared and brought forward to Council for approval. Prior to bringing it forward, it would need to be supported by:

• A letter of support from the Community League
• A recommendation of support from the Administration outlining the appropriateness of the measure and other alternatives considered
• Evidence of community support (minimum 67%) through surveys undertaken by the Administration

This policy does not apply to arterial roadways within or on the boundary of communities (arterial roadways as defined by the Transportation System Bylaw)

Our new(ish) MLA, David Dorward, invites all Bonnie Dooners to the grand opening of his new constituency office Tuesday, October 16, 4:30 to 6:30pm at 7510-82 Ave. After the grand opening David will hold a Budget Consultation Open House, starting at 7:00. If you plan to attend please contact [email protected].