New Rules for Seniors Housing and other Supportive Housing

Councils August 27th decision to approve the new Supportive Community Provisions will decrease the opportunities for Leagues to be notified of, and consulted on Senior Housing projects and other housing projects with common dining areas and universal design to accommodate everyone, including those with mobility challenges. In the past seniors housing projects have usually required variances to parking and density thus requiring consultations with the league and local residents. These projects will now be able to have less than half the parking required of other apartments and 25% greater density, without even notifying the community. Hopefully supportive housing developers will continue to notify and consult with neighbours even though it may not be mandatory.

Draft Urban Character Main Street Zone Requires League Input - Meeting Sept 18
City administration has drafted a new zone to encourage regeneration of the traditional main streets of Edmonton. These areas are typically within a Business Revitalization Zone Alberta Avenue, Beverly, Chinatown and Little Italy, Inglewood, Old Strathcona, Stony Plain Road, and 124 Street area. The proposed text amendment has been designed to strengthen the pedestrian experience with specific architectural and urban design requirements to improve the visual interest and encourage street level activity. Residential Uses are allowed above the ground floor and there are incentives to develop near Transit Centres. View the draft zone regulations. To give your feedback you can: a) send your comments to the city planner, James.Veltkamp@edmonton.ca and cc EFCLs Planning Advisor, Bev.Zubot@efcl.org (City would like comments by September 19th, 2012) or b) give your feedback in person at a meeting with City planners, September 18th, 2012, 7 pm at the EFCL Office, 7103 105 Street. RSVP to Bev.Zubot@efcl.org For more information go to http://www. edmonton.ca/city_government/urban_ planning_and_design/urban-character-mainstreet-zone.aspx

Strathcona Main Street Zone

From left, EFCL Planning Advisor - Bev Zubot, and planning committee members Jamie Post, Imy Bhatty, Ian ODonnell, Cora Shaw, Kathy Murrie, EFCL Board member - Manon Aubry, Ron Favell, Elaine Solez spend hours consulting the community for positions on issues, and pouring over the various documents the City of Edmonton puts forward. They provide excellent summaries and positions for the issues at hand.

Mark your calendar

Good Neighbour Research Proposal Workshop

Saturday, September 22, 2012, 10 am 2 pm Good news! EFCL has found a knowledgeable academic and community minded person, Dr. Jorge Sousa, who is keen on doing research with EFCL on enhancing good neighbor relations between non-market housing projects and the broader community. Dr. Sousa will facilitate the working session on September 22nd to determine the research questions we want answered and the approach we would like to take. The Good Neighbour research and demonstration project is intended to be a collaborative effort of Community Leagues/ EFCL, academics, housing providers and housing funders. Representatives from all these sectors are being invited to the Research Proposal Workshop. It will be important to have the Community League perspective when shaping the project. Please register by contacting Bev.Zubot@efcl.org.

City Administration is proposing numerous changes to low density housing zones, and the Mature Neighbourhoods Overlay - the special regulations originally created to preserve the character of neighbourhoods. Most worrisome are the changes which threaten the pedestrian friendly, treelined streets of mature neighbourhoods. Since the 1990s, the Mature Neighbourhoods Overlay has provided regulations which prevented, or at least discouraged, front yard garages on sites with back lanes and front treed boulevards. Where front garages were permitted, the garage was not to dominate the front yard, thus allowing windows, doors and eyes on the street. The restrictions on front garages in Mature Neighbourhoods have been key to preserving the safe, pedestrian friendly tree lined streets of the neighbourhoods. Each addition of a front driveway creates another safety hazard for pedestrians, especially children. Also, cement driveways threaten

the viability and life span of boulevard trees which greatly add to the safety and attractiveness of the pedestrian walkway. It is puzzling that the City would even consider allowing more front garages in mature neighbourhoods when promoting walking and transit use is a major city goal. After all, most LRT stations areas are in mature neighbourhoods. Unlike many newer neighbourhoods designed for front garages, mature neighbourhoods do not have multi-use trails and separate walkway for pedestrians and cyclists. Mature neighbourhoods rely on the road right of way to provide safe passage for all modes of travel. Front garages work well in some neighbourhood designs but not in Edmontons mature neighbourhoods. The City is also proposing numerous changes to low density zone regulations which apply to all neighbourhoods in the city. Most notably, the changes would permit semi-detached housing, duplexes, 4 unit apartments and row housing in numerous locations, such as corner sites, where only single family homes were previously permitted without consultation. The proposed amendments would also allow housing to be built on

narrower lots, thus making it possible for single detached home lots to be subdivided. EFCL will continue to participate in consultation sessions with the City, and prepare for the October 29th public hearing. We need your input. Contact Bev.Zubot@ efcl.org or your EFCL District representative on the EFCL Planning and Development Committee. For general background information go to: http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/ urban_planning_and_design/low-densityresidential-zones.aspx To read the most recent draft Zoning Bylaw text amendments for the Mature Neighbourhoods Overlay AND text amendments for low density housing zones in all neighbourhoods, download the pdf at: efcl.org/planning matters/civic affairs documents/ 120830 draft Low DensityZones. pdf

Limits to Concentration of Subsidized and Low-Cost Housing to be considered by Council

City Administration is proposing a number of congregate living regulations to limit the concentration of subsidized and lowcost housing, as requested by the Leagues of stressed neighbourhoods and Council. These regulations would limit the number of Group Homes, Limited Group Homes and Lodging Houses per Neighbourhood, per Block and Block Face. Furthermore, the group homes and lodging houses will be required to comply with the Best Practices for Rental Accommodations Business Licensees. Failure to comply could lead to fines, license suspensions and even license revocations. Unfortunately, Apartments and Apartment Hotels which have subsidized units are not included under the new regulations. Thus the zoning will be ineffective in monitoring apartments, which for the most part, have been the greatest concern of Leagues. However, it is a start. The public hearing is October 1st.

Join EFCLs efforts to shape City policies which impact our Neighbourhood
Take part in the League committees and discussion groups on city policies: Food and Agriculture Strategy Complete Streets streets for all modes of transportation Neighbourhood Design Guidelines Winter Strategy City Lighting Policy

Planning Matters

Join the EFCL Planning and Development Committee as a District A (NW Edmonton) or District D (West Edmonton) representative.

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Social Housing can be friendly

Invite your EFCL Planning Committee District representative to your next Area Council or District meeting. District Planning Representatives, news, position papers online at : efcl.org/ planning matters

City Grant Program Fully Subscribed:

Leagues Dash for Cash

Last Chance For Federal Dollars

Edmonton Community Leagues looking for help with facility repairs need to keep this date in mind November 19. That is the final deadline for applications to the federal governments Community Infrastructure Improvement fund. Matching grants of up to $250,000 are available for repairs and upgrades to Community League facilities, such as halls, rinks and courts. Staff at Western Economic Diversification Canada have confirmed that this would include the installation of solar systems on Community League halls, which a number of leagues are contemplating, as well as the construction of a roof over an outdoor rink, which has been the subject of significant interest recently. Staff have also indicated that this round of applications, which is the second under the program (the first ended on Aug. 2), will likely be the last for this particular program.

Application Deadline Nov. 19:

Thirty five Edmonton Community Leagues quickly took advantage of this years Community League Infrastructure Grant Program, which was fully funded for the first time by Edmonton City Council. A total of $3 million in matching grant money was available for projects big and small. Applications needed to be in by April 1. Six leagues qualified for major grants (up to $400,000), which are designed to help leagues build a new hall or do significant repairs and upgrades to their existing hall. Eleven leagues received funds for medium sized projects, which would include items like rink, tennis or basketball court construction and renovation. The rest of the leagues received funds for smaller projects, such as new doors and windows or lighting and plumbing system repairs. This program was a key product of the tripartite license negotiations between the EFCL and the City of Edmonton in 2011.

8 School Sites Rezoned

Leagues met with city staff on September 5th to prepare for the October 15th Public Hearing at which City Council will consider zoning eight surplus school sites as apartments for seniors, if Provincial funding is obtained. Leagues learned that City Administration is proposing the sites be used for market and affordable seniors housing, built by the private or non-profit sector, not the City. The Apartments would be zoned RA7 low-rise apartments. Builders would be required to consult with the community on the design before a development permit was submitted.
RosslynTerrace Seniors Housing

Leagues Express Concerns:

The seven League representatives at the meeting on September 5th supported the addition of seniors housing to their neighbourhood, however, they had numerous concerns. The number one concern was the location of the proposed housing. As one participant explained, the school sites are the central focal points of the communities. Indeed, neighbourhoods were designed to have the neighbourhood park, with schools and league facilities, as the central public gathering space for the neighbourhood residents and the general public. Most city recreation and league facilities have been developed immediately adjacent to the surplus school site or on the site, due to its central location and ease of access for the public. Sports activities are not a problem for schools, but they may be for private residences. In some cases, private buildings on the school sites will limit access to the public park, unless the apartment sites give permission for access through their property, similar to public access provided by schools.

The EFCL asked the city to create a fund of $3 million per year to help For details on project eligibility and how to submit an application, please cover the costs of projects big and small. City council responded by refer to: www.wd-deo.gc.ca phasing in the program over two years, providing $1.5 million in 2011 and $3 million in 2012. The program is due to be reviewed at the end of 2013. View the grants received by each league online.

NEXT CLIP GRANT DEADLINE: March 1, 2013 Ask your CRC

Rink Roof Workshop:

September 25, 2012 7 pm at EFCL Offices 7103 - 105 Street

Tim McCargar and Brant Mohr explain the Citys rationale for converting vacant school sites to seniors complexes

Workshop Set for Sept. 25:

The EFCL is holding another workshop at EFCL Offices to help leagues investigate the idea of partially or fully enclosing their outdoor rink. To date, two companies have confirmed their attendance at the workshop. The first is Starline Equipment Sales out of Leduc, which represents Diamond Shelters, a Manitoba-based manufacturer. This company specializes in fabric-enclosed shelters and has installed a number of them in western Canada. The second is Vertical Building Solutions, which represents Britespan Building Structures, a manufacturer based in Ontario. This company also builds fabric roofs and fabric-enclosed shelters, including a model where the walls can be rolled up when the weather is suitable. Both companies are quoting prices in the $500,000 - $600,000 range for a fully enclosed building over a regulation sized 85 X 200 rink. The EFCL is also screening additional suppliers to see if there are others that would like to attend the workshop.

Rink Roofs Revisited

RSVP

info@efcl.org

EFCL Looks To Improve League Engagement

The federation is applying to the city for some funds to help it engage its member leagues and in turn, help leagues engage their members on the many civic issues we attempt to deal with each year. Whether is it is traffic safety, social housing, crime prevention, land use planning, or recreation programming, both the federation and its leagues are continually trying to get proper feedback from their members on a regular basis. The EFCL is exploring the idea of holding more workshops, using professional polling techniques and making better use of its district and area council meetings to get additional feedback. Council will consider the request this fall as part of its 2013 budget.

Funding through the Small Project Component supports activities that improve the built environment through the renovation, construction and retrofitting of buildings; the modification of vehicles for community use; and through the provision of accessible information and communication technologies. All projects funded through this component must create or enhance accessibility for people with disabilities within Canada. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is pleased to announce that a call for proposals for Small Projects enabling accessibility is now open. Please note that the call will be open from August 21, 2012 until October 5, 2012. Only proposals postmarked on or before the closing date of October 5, 2012 will be considered in this process. The application form and guidelines can be found on our Web site. All applicants are encouraged to read the guidelines before completing the application. For further information regarding the call, please visit our Web site at: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/disability_issues/eaf/cfp/ index.shtml Should you have any questions about the Small Projects enabling accessibility please contact us by e-mail at: fpa-eaf@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca or through our toll free number at: 1-866-268-2502 or TTY: 1 800 9269105.

Enabling Accesibility Fund

Application Deadline Oct. 5:

9 Resources

Leagues should keep in mind the funding opportunity that is now available through Western Economic Diversification. Matching grants of up to $250,000 are now available for organizations to repair, renovate or upgrade existing facilities. The deadline for applications is Nov. 19. In addition, the EFCL has set aside $80,000 to help one or more leagues cover its outdoor rink. Additional details on these programs will be available at the workshop. Last January approximately 20 leagues attended the federations first workshop on this topic. The supplier invited to that meeting, GRES (representing Sprung Structures out of Calgary), provided details of a roof structure that looked very attractive, but would cost over $900,000 to install.

Come to our Regular General Meeting October 23, Britannia Youngstown to find out about all of EFCLs activities