Edmontonians to lose right to appeal garage suites in their neighbourhoods

Neighbours will no longer be able to appeal garage suites once council passes proposed amendments that would see all suites that meet new proposed guidelines approved.

MichaelSacha, with the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues,told council's urban planning committeeWednesday that taking away residents' right to appeal is tantamount to a betrayal of all the volunteers who work to make sure new development is in keeping with the character of the neighbourhood.

Councillorssaid they want to make sure neighbours are informed when new structures will go up in their area. But BevZubot, theEFCL's planning adviser,said that is not very useful if neighbours can't have any say.

"All we're asking for is the right to have the information, and to have input,"Zubotsaid. "Communication with no consequences provides no bargaining power to the neighbour."

Committee headdoesn't share concern

Coun. Andrew Knack, chair of council's urban planning committee, said he doesn't share the concern. He said people already have the right to build on their own lots without the neighbours' input as long as they follow the city's rules, and garage suites should be no different.

He said the changes are meant to encourage more people to build garage and garden suites on their lots, particularly in mature neighbourhoods with dwindling populations, by speeding up the permit process for builders.

Too long to get permits

Homebuilderstoldcouncillorsit takes them three to six months to get a development permit for a garage suite because the process is so murky, and residents have the right to appeal.

Councillorsalso agreed to a number of new guidelines that will improve garage suites, including higher standards for design, more privacy protection for neighbours, and landscaping requirements.

"You want to make sure it's easier [for builders] but the regulations also help improve the surrounding community's experience," Knack said.

Council will vote on the changes in early 2017, after a public hearing on the issue.

Councillorsalso asked city staff to put together alanewayhousing strategy that will look at regulations to allowlarger garage and garden suites.