A three-day public consultation over district zoning plans – Edmonton’s proposed 15-minute city – was met with resistance from some residents on Tuesday.
The urban plan aims to give residents access to everything they need within 15 minutes from their home – either on foot or by transit.
The zoning plans would create 15 districts and encourage housing and commercial densification as the city looks ahead to a population of two million. It would also change the way Edmonton’s older neighbourhoods are designed.
BACKGROUND: Online conspiracy theories about Edmonton’s ‘15-minute city’ plan: ‘Absolute nonsense’
While city council heard from those in favour or some who presented proposed amendments, the meeting wasn’t without controversy.
Some residents shared their concerns about a debunked conspiracy theory that 15-minute cities are designed to restrict people’s movements or prevent them from driving their vehicles, and that it is an attempt to lock them in their neighbourhoods.
Councillors admit it’s a challenge to get their messaging through the misinformation.
“I think people really need to understand what they’re speaking on,” said Ward Karhiio Coun. Keren Tang. “I think unfortunately, a lot of the district planning in particular has been derailed by 15-minute city conspiracy, World Economic Forum, etc. At the end of the day, this is about land use.”
“What we need to do is make sure we give those folks a chance to express their viewpoint,” added Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack. “But at the same time, ask them questions about ‘are there specific things in the policies that could materialize to what you think they could?’”
The district plan, in the works since 2020, does create guidelines that allows more development, even high rises, near important connector streets.
Some at the first day of public consultation shared concerns about how development could impact Edmonton’s wildlife, particularly birds. Edmontonian Melissa Penney hopes plans will include provisions to protect animal habitats.
“Mature trees, without those, many of those species wouldn’t even come near me,” said the bird enthusiast. “A lot of these species are not familiar with people. They’re birds that are going to be nesting in our deeper boreal forest, but when they come here, they’re choosing to nest in the river valley and in my yard.”
Councillors stress the new framework is needed to meet Edmonton’s growing population.
“We have to be able to accommodate for that,” said Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette. “Right now the plans we have, have kind of been ‘Frankensteined’ together over decades, and that just won’t work.”
The three-day public consultation continues this week.