Edmonton's Infill Debate Intensifies as Calgary Retreats on Density
Edmonton city councillors face mounting pressure as they prepare to revisit the contentious issue of infill housing density for the second time in just seven months. The debate centers on how many residential units should be permitted on standard lots within mature neighborhoods, with opinions sharply divided among residents and policymakers alike.
The Numbers Game: From Two to Eight Units
Current Edmonton zoning regulations allow up to eight units on a standard residential lot, but this maximum has become the focal point of intense community discussion. Mayor Andrew Knack and several council members previously proposed reducing this limit to six units during last year's civic election campaign. Meanwhile, many concerned homeowners advocate for a stricter cap of four units, while an even more vocal group insists on limiting development to just two units per lot.
The previous council session ended inconclusively when a proposal to lower the maximum to six units failed by a single vote, complicated by the absence of two councillors during the critical decision. Both of those absent councillors have since left their positions, adding uncertainty to how the newly configured council will approach this polarizing issue.
Calgary's Cautionary Tale: From Progress to Retreat
Former Calgary city councillor Courtney Walcott has emerged as an unexpected voice in Edmonton's infill discussion, urging the capital city to maintain its current trajectory rather than follow Calgary's restrictive turn. Walcott, who served during Calgary's own contentious debates about urban density, observes that while Edmonton considers moderate adjustments to its zoning system, Calgary appears headed toward what he describes as "capitulation" on housing affordability and sustainable development.
"The current Calgary council is looking to not just reverse rezoning but to make housing more restrictive than it was before we did infill rezoning," Walcott explained in a recent interview. "It's giving up on housing affordability from a market perspective and just relying on apartment construction, which hasn't worked well for Toronto or Vancouver."
Walcott emphasizes the fundamental difference between the two cities' approaches: "Edmonton is looking at moderation, Calgary is looking at capitulation."
Diverging Political Landscapes
The October municipal elections in Alberta revealed striking contrasts in how infill politics played out in the province's two largest cities. While both Edmonton and Calgary experienced heated debates about parking, community character, and property values, the issue proved particularly decisive in Calgary's electoral outcome. Calgary's election resulted in significant council turnover and brought in a new mayor committed to repealing the previous council's blanket higher-density zoning policies, pending a March public hearing.
Walcott attributes Edmonton's more measured approach to several factors, including the city's generally more progressive political climate and its historical commitment to incremental density increases. "Edmonton has also done a better job over the years in incrementally increasing density," he noted. "That likely helped prepare Edmonton residents for the more substantial changes of the last two years."
The Sustainability Imperative
Beyond immediate political considerations, the infill debate carries significant implications for long-term urban sustainability and housing affordability. Proponents of maintaining higher density limits argue that restricting infill development could exacerbate urban sprawl, increase infrastructure costs, and undermine efforts to create more walkable, transit-friendly communities. They point to research suggesting that moderate density increases in established neighborhoods can help address housing shortages while making more efficient use of existing municipal services and transportation networks.
Opponents, however, express concerns about preserving neighborhood character, managing parking challenges, and protecting property values. They argue that more restrictive zoning would give communities greater control over their development trajectory while addressing quality-of-life issues that have emerged alongside recent infill projects.
As Edmonton's council prepares for next week's debate, the city faces a critical choice between maintaining its current moderate approach to infill development or shifting toward more restrictive policies similar to those gaining traction in Calgary. The decision will not only shape Edmonton's urban landscape for years to come but may also establish Alberta's capital as either a leader or a follower in sustainable urban development practices across Western Canada.
