Nakota Isga, we want to take some time to tell you about several reports coming to Council this month, the work we have undertaken, and how these initiatives align with our priorities.
Residential Zoning Bylaw
As infills continue to pop up around the city and more neighborhoods see these types of developments for the first time, I want to take a moment to restate my commitment. I want to adjust the residential zoning bylaw, in particular the mid-block residential unit count. Period. This has been a priority since the first day of my campaign, remains one of my ward priorities for 2026, and continues to be at the centre of our office’s conversations every day.
The change we are hoping for is neither pro- nor anti-density; it is about better planning for development. It means focusing density along mass transit, on major nodes and corridors instead of the current blanket approach.
Why have we not made any changes yet? The most recent vote on the residential zoning bylaw was on February 17, 2026, when Council voted 8-4 against lowering the number of units mid-block from eight to six. While this vote was disappointing, it is not the end of the discussion.
Our team will continue identifying opportunities at Council to make thoughtful, incremental improvements to the bylaw. Here are three specific changes we are currently focused on:
First, on September 15, Council will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Lodging House Bylaw. The problem we are trying to address is the number of unregulated or illegal lodging houses, particularly in new row-housing developments. These changes are not intended to eliminate lodging houses, as they are an important part of our housing system. Rather, they will help Administration better enforce the rules and address lodging houses operating without the required permits.
As many of you are aware, some of the current challenges stem from developments in the middle of residential neighbourhoods operating as short-term rentals when they were intended and funded to be long-term rentals.
The challenge Administration is facing when enforcing the current bylaw is standard rental homes and lodging houses have similar floor plans during the development-permit review stage. In addition, compliance officers can usually investigate only after a property has been occupied.
The proposed changes would address these challenges in three ways:
- Ensuring that lodging houses generally operate at a limited scale within a neighbourhood and preventing them from operating in row housing and other multi-unit housing.
- Providing clearer direction for Administration to investigate and determine compliance when there are concerns that row-housing dwellings are being used as lodging houses.
- Adjusting the bedroom limits to apply to a single lot instead of a single site. This would provide additional clarity and remove ambiguity for enforcement in situations where multiple lots are part of one site.
Second, We are working to strengthen fire safety requirements for residential infill development, with particular attention to basement dwelling units in new builds. This includes reviewing access, egress, emergency escape windows, and other safety features to ensure these homes meet an appropriate standard before a serious incident occurs.
Third, we are looking at stronger oversight and more consistent enforcement for infill builders. In many conversations with neighbours, the message has been clear: if large-scale, multi-unit developments are going to continue, builders must be held accountable to the applicable development and building rules. Clear expectations and mandatory compliance are essential to maintaining confidence in the development process.
Rally 4 the Road
The gears are turning along the historic main street of Stony Plain Road. Over the past month, we passed motions to start the process of creating additional incentives for development along the corridor. Now we are focused on safety and a future vision.
This month, our team met with the West Division of the Edmonton Police Service, the Stony Plain Road Business Association, and TELUS to discuss Butler Memorial Park. This park is the number-one hot spot in the West Division for criminal activity, including the area around the mall.
The police have increased their efforts to maintain the park. Now, it is the City’s turn. We are working with City partners to improve conditions in and around the park through targeted maintenance, enhanced visibility, and more regular site visits to support a clean, well-managed public space.
Looking ahead, one recurring message we have heard from prospective builders is that, alongside safety requirements and incentives, they need a clear, long-term vision for the area. We need to be able to provide a vision for what this historic main street can become. What will make Stony Plain Road unique in the Edmonton landscape?
This is the question we are looking to answer, what is the vision we want to sell, and as a west-end what do we want for this street, because the possibilities are endless.
Economic Development
This Summer we rolled out our economic development plan. One area we prioritized is the development of our industrial land. In the West-End we see and hear it all the time, we have space for more businesses, we just need to give them a reason to be in Edmonton as opposed to Acheson.
I have worked with City Administration to ensure that the 2027–30 economic development plan includes the necessary tax and servicing incentives, with a particular focus on supporting the growth and competitiveness of Edmonton’s industrial lands. We must also continue advocating to other orders of government for investment in the infrastructure needed to support development.
Economic development is also about strengthening the City’s revenue base. In the recent budget survey, Edmontonians indicated support for recovering a greater share of service costs through user fees. In this context, that can include more effective enforcement and appropriately structured fines, licences, permits, and parking fees. The survey found that 83 per cent of respondents supported funding licences and permits through user fees, while 78 per cent supported the same approach for parking.
There are two parts to this approach: setting appropriate fees and fines, and ensuring the City has the capacity to enforce its rules.
First, Council will consider adjustments to fines, licences, permits, and other user fees so that more of the cost of providing these services is recovered from those who use them. On September 29, Council will discuss parking violations, options for the fine schedule, and incentives for timely payment. On October 6, Council will review the User Fee Policy. Both discussions offer an opportunity to make changes that better reflect what Edmontonians have told us they support.
Second, enforcement must be effective when rules are not being followed. That may mean investing in enforcement teams, improving how complaints are received and prioritized, and ensuring fines are collected. Over time, enforcement should be supported by a sustainable funding model that gives the City the resources to respond promptly, follow through on violations, and apply the rules consistently.
Thank you for taking the time to read our thoughts, and stay tuned for our Q3 update.