Infill debate continues to rage in west Edmonton neighbourhood

The never-endinginfilldebate has been raging in Edmonton for years and now has a new battleground.

What sparked the ground war this time?The splitting of a lot in Rio Terrace.

The west Edmonton neighbourhoodis made upprimarily ofsingle-familyhomes built in the 1960s. Many of the families who moved into the area when it was first built still live there.

The proposed infill project hasbecomethe latest in a long line ofclashesbetween developers and residents.

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PeggyNesbittis a 40-year resident of Rio Terrace.She saidthe lots in the neighbourhoods are too small andif subdivided, could potentially lead to sewer or fire risks.

"We're really not opposed toinfills. We're opposed to subdivision," saidNesbitton Edmonton AM. "We truly believe in responsible infills."

"What we're concerned about is yards that are being subdivided into much smaller spaces. In particular,in ourneighbourhoodwhere we have no back alleys."

Nesbittthinks the style of the houses won't fit the surrounding dwellings and believes infillsmay be needed in Edmonton but should happenin neighbourhoods thatare full of "derelict" homes.

She said she's not completely opposed toinfillsin her neighbourhood but only if the process is done properly and residents have a say.

Mick Graham, the president of Single Tree Builders, said infillsare needed, even in Rio Terrace. He said the neighbourhood has lost about 20 per cent of its population since it was built and suffers the same problem that plagues many other mature Edmontoncommunities.

"We're left with these schools that areunder-subscribed. We're left with transit that doesn't work really well," explained Graham. "The city is trying to work withinfills, and I see it as a solution to some of our urban problems."

"We can't afford to keep building ring roads, so we have to find ways to increase density in these mature neighborhoods."

Nesbittdoesn't believe that theinfillswill have the effect that Graham and other advocates of the practice preach.

She said that the tall and skinny homes aren't large enough for a family and that the half-filled schools in the neighbourhood are now providing much-needed amenities like daycares.

Those opposed to infillssay theira primary problem isthe reliability and competence of the contractors involved.

This might not be a perfect solution...but it's a solution- Mick Graham

There have been so many horror stories ofinfillsbeing constructed in mature neighbourhoods that the city has created an "Infill Construction Compliance Team." The team is comprised of three specially-trained peace officers.

Theofficers will be able to issue fines and lay charges on developers and contractors who don'tfollowthe rules.

Graham saidinfillsare used to increase the density in neighbourhoods in an attempt to combat urban sprawl. He believes that Edmonton is taking responsible action by pushing for thesedevelopments.

"This might not be a perfect solution, allowing the subdivision of the lots, but it's a solution," said Graham. "I think it's a step in the right direction."

"But yeah, it's going to change neighbourhoods."

Edmonton AM9:31Infill fight in Rio Terrace

Some residents in Rio Terrace are gearing up to fight an infill project. But an Edmonton builder says infill is good for the city.

Theinfillproject in Rio Terrace was sent for approval last week.Nesbittsaid there is no appeal process, so if it goes through it's a done deal.

But, she adds, Rio Terrace residents don't give up easily.