Projects
River valley assault in Louise McKinney Park creates fear and questions – Lucy’s story
Oct 17, 2023
Edmonton is a great place to live and our river valley is the jewel in its crown. However, recent events have sullied its reputation.
I belong to an urban pole walking group. Two weeks ago, my friend and I were walking in Louise McKinney Park beneath the Convention Centre along the river path.
It was a beautiful afternoon when suddenly my friend and I were attacked from behind by a middle-aged man yielding a club. I was knocked face first into the concrete path and sustained a fractured nose and elbow. My friend was pushed into the grassy verge where the man continued to beat her with his club. She was able to fend him off somewhat but was beaten severely on the head, requiring 18 staples to close the wounds. We screamed as loud as we could. Other people approached and our assailant ran off.
The people who came to our assistance were marvellous, holding pressure on my friend’s bleeding wounds and helping me into a sitting position. They called emergency services, who arrived very quickly and we were transported to hospital. My friend was able to give a good enough description for the police artist to do a good picture for circulation amongst the police. To date, the assailant has not been caught, so no charges laid.
Why did this happen? The police say that these violent men always choose a vulnerable victim. How can we prevent this happening again? The police gave us a few tips:
1 Practice situational awareness; look over your shoulder frequently.
2 Walk in a large group. There is safety in numbers.
3 Carry a high decibel whistle on a lanyard.
4 Carry a travel can of hairspray.
I strongly feel that anyone who commits an unprovoked violent act forfeits their right to freedom. Invariably this means that the prison population will increase. Our government does not want this as prisons are expensive and a too high prison population can result in a country's tarnished reputation. For those who commit violent crime as a result of psychotic tendencies, they need to be placed in a secure psychiatric facility until the violent manifestations of their illness resolve and they commit to taking medication to control their illness.
Fifty years ago, psychiatric hospitals were closed as they were deemed to be inhumane. Now society deems it acceptable to have mentally ill people roaming the streets at the mercy of the elements and a threat to the general public. It is my contention that our streets and parks need to be made safe again so that we can all enjoy them without having to behave like an army platoon out on reconnaissance maneuvers.
The criminologists in our universities tell us that there is no actual increase in violent crime, only the perception of such. The data says otherwise. There have been 8,000 violent incidents in Edmonton so far this year, up 13% from 2022 and up 18% from 2021.
If we want to enjoy our outdoor activities free from fear and anxiety, we must do something to stop the roaming of violent people through our city.
Yours sincerely,
Lucy B
NSRVCS Letter to the New Zoning Bylaw Public Hearing
October 16, 2023
Mr. Mayor and Members of Council
Re: October 16, 2023 Council Meeting, Agenda Items 3.1 and 3.2 Charter Bylaw 20001 and 21001- development moratorium request for the A-River Valley Zone
I write on behalf of the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society (“NSRVCS”). Our organization has made a number of submissions to both the Urban Planning Committee (“UPC”) and also to all members of Council as part of the Zoning Bylaw Renewal exercise. (Summarized in our letter of November 22, 2022 to the UPC, attached). These suggestions were intended to strengthen the environmental protection of the River Valley and Ravine System. However, these good faith and reasonable suggestions have been ignored by the drafters of the Charter Bylaws which are now before you for adoption.
From the outset of our involvement, we have asked consistently that the Zoning Bylaw Renewal be synchronized with improved environmental protection measures, namely, the River Valley Modernization Project to update the NSRV Area Redevelopment Plan Bylaw. That important project has fallen behind the new Zoning Bylaw exercise, which is designed to facilitate development rather than provide updated and comprehensive environmental protection measures for the River Valley and Ravine System.
The City Administration and Council appear determined to fully adopt the two Charter Bylaws before year end with the result that the Modernization Project will fall even further behind. Therefore, if adoption of the two Charter Bylaws does occur, we ask that Council direct a moratorium on all development applications for discretionary uses within the new A-River Valley Zone pending the adoption of an updated area redevelopment plan bylaw for the River Valley and Ravine System. We also ask that Council direct the Administration to accelerate the completion of the Modernization Project at which time a moratorium would be lifted.
We are a volunteer organization and do not have the resources to attend and engage in a public hearing of uncertain length. However, we do ask that you take our requests into account when considering adoption of the new Zoning Bylaw.
Yours truly,
Hon. Dennis R.G. Thomas, K.C.
Member, Board of Directors
NSRVCS
Cc: Office of the City Manager- by email
Attachment: November 22, 2022 letter
NSRVCS City Council Urban Planning Committee Presentation
November 22, 2022
Re: Agenda 7.1 Zoning Bylaw Renewal Report #5 – Draft Zoning Bylaw
Dear Urban Planning Committee,
I write on behalf of the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society and refer to correspondence sent to each member of City Council on November 22, 2021 and to Administration on March 22, 2022 (letters attached). We have also appeared before the Urban Planning Committee re: Zoning Bylaw Renewal on April 11, 2022 and the River Valley Modernization Project on May 31, 2022. We confirm the positions taken in that correspondence and at the in-person submissions.
We have three additional submissions to make in respect to the Draft Rezoning Bylaw referenced above with particular effect on the river valley and ravine system.
First, in both published written materials and in meetings with us the Administration described the effect of the Rezoning Initiative on the river valley/ravine systems as essentially a rollover of the contents of existing zones: A-Metropolitan Recreation Zone, NA-Natural Areas Protection Zone and AN- River Valley Activity Node Zones to new draft equivalent zones: A-River Valley Zone, NA-Natural Areas Zone and River Valley Special Areas-A1-A6.
To the extent that the new zones and related development regulations are more restrictive we fully endorse that approach and result, for example, reducing permitted uses to a single defined permitted use in the new A-River Valley Zone (currently A-Metropolitan Recreation Zone). However, we are concerned about the number of discretionary uses remaining in the draft A-River Valley Zone and revised use definitions which appear to be less restrictive than the use definitions in the current Zoning Bylaw. For example, the new s.3.3 Outdoor Recreation Services use is much less restrictive than the current use definition of Outdoor Participant Recreation Services. This is but one example and there may be others. If this is a true rollover, we ask that the Committee direct the drafters to stop introducing new use definitions particularly in the river valley zones; it is an inconsistent approach.
Secondly, through our review of the Draft Zoning Bylaw and from discussions with Administration it has become apparent that the rezoning exercise in the river valley and ravine systems is somewhat of a missed opportunity to place significant areas of undeveloped City owned land into a more restrictive zoning category such as the NA-Natural Areas Zone. Our ask in this regard is that the Committee direct the Administration to identify the areas which contain developed parks with facilities, e.g., developed portions of William Hawrelak Park and differentiate the developed areas from undeveloped lands in a natural state and designate the natural areas as being within the new NA-Natural Areas Zone.
Our third and final request is that the Committee direct the Administration to identify the specific areas within the river valley and ravine system that are currently zoned NA-Natural Areas Protection Zone, and which are proposed for the new NA-Natural Areas Zone. I used the department’s “Know Your Zone Map” application to review the river valley/ravine system from its south end to the north boundary and could only find a limited number of NA parcels in the far northeast quadrant, south of Horse Hill. Are there more parcels in the river valley/ravine system currently zoned NA?
Thank you for your time and attention.
Yours truly,
Dennis Thomas
Member, Board of Directors
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
Attachments
March 22, 2022
November 22, 2021
NSRVCS Letter to the River Valley Planning Modernization Project Team
March 22, 2022
Agnieszka Kotowska
River Valley Planning Modernization Project Team Planning and Environment Services
Urban Planning and Economy City of Edmonton
Dear Agnieszka,
Re: City of Edmonton River Valley Planning Modernization Project
NSRVCS was pleased to play a role in the NE and SW Ribbon of Green and welcomes the opportunity to continue our stakeholder engagement as a participant in the River Valley Planning Modernization Project. We offer these comments as our response to the Phase 2 engagement process.
· We appreciate the City and project’s commitment to thoughtful decision making, including through public consultation, and support the revised vision and principles.
· We support the proposed Land Management Classifications but believe preservation should be the default classification in areas where:
- There is an absence of data and research or
- When uncertainty and conflict between competing priorities exists or
- Where an area is sensitive or requires reclamation.
Interim decision making, particularly regarding consideration to proposed permitting of intensive uses, should adhere to the Precautionary Principle requiring completion first of full environmental assessment and open public review.
· We are concerned about lack of coordination between the River Valley Modernization Project and the Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative. Attached is our November 22, 2021 letter sent to the Mayor and Council addressing the Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative’s proposed streamlined open spaces and civic services regulations, as outlined in discussion paper #5.
The concept of streamlining project approvals in the river valley and ravines contradicts all city policies consistently calling for protection of those areas. We are concerned with the impact of the proposed regulations on Edmonton’s River Valley and Ravine System. We recommend that any decisions on rezoning or changes to allowed uses or application rules
be delayed for the river valley and ravines until such time as the Ribbon of Green associated studies and consultations are complete.
· Scientifically sound decisions necessitate that Council allocate a budget and timeline to complete and consolidate data sets from all government or scientific sources to provide an accurate inventory of vegetation, wildlife and wildlife passage, waterfowl, incidents with wildlife and traffic or public, state of the environment, wildlife passages, areas needing restoration and so forth. A database is also needed for heritage and historic sites including sites of Indigenous interest or significance. An assessment of climate impacts including potential flooding should be completed. Provision should be made for the completion of and public reporting of regular independent state of the environment reports for the river valley and ravines into the future.
· We strongly support inclusion of the following to the decision-making process:
- Additions to Environmental Impact Assessment considerations and
- Strategic alignment with the vision, principles, and policies of Ribbon of Green.
· Completion of a Trail Master Plan needs to be a priority with dedicated adequate funding and staff resources. Increased human use of the river valley and ravine system during the pandemic has highlighted deficiencies in the city’s trail planning capacity. A complete assessment of trails and a comprehensive process for planning and maintenance of a trail system is critically needed. We support the statement "A detailed trail strategy is needed to allow for further site-specific assessment and review of existing trails, so that we can move towards a trail system that meets recreational demand without compromising ecological function."
· Since June 2020 our society, in cooperation with Sierra Club Canada Foundation – Edmonton Prairie Chapter and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Northern Alberta, has been advocating for a National Urban Park. The City should not make any decisions now with respect to the River Valley Planning Modernization process that could impede the potential for the designation, or limit the scope, of a National Urban Park in the greater Edmonton region.
We look forward to continuing to engage with the City of Edmonton on these issues as the River Valley Planning Modernization Project proceeds.
Sincerely yours,
Stephen Madsen, President Board of Directors
NSRVCS Letter to Edmonton City Council
November 22, 2021
Re: Zoning Renewal Initiative
City Council,
This letter is written on behalf of the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society Board of Directors and addresses the Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative’s proposed streamlined open spaces and civic services regulations, as outlined in discussion paper #5. We are concerned with the impact of the proposed regulations on Edmonton’s River Valley and Ravine System.
Zoning applies to land and grants development rights and legally takes precedence over any policy. Where discrepancy arises between policy and zoning, zoning governs contradictory provisions from any Council approved policy direction.
The proposed revised zoning bylaw introduces a simplified and streamlined process for any decisions on developments in river valley and ravine lands, potentially both removing protection considerations and potential need for consultation. This apparent intent to “remove red tape” is out of place for these lands governed by bylaws and policies for their protection in the public interest.
Administration’s Proposal
The proposal is to consolidate the A and AN zone into one zone, which will expand permitted uses and apply to all the River Valley and Ravine System except for land zoned Natural Areas. The effect will be to considerably expand development opportunities in the river valley. This intent is inconsistent with recent Council policies.
The current three main River Valley Zones: A - Metropolitan Recreation Zone, AN - River Valley Activity Node, and NA - Natural Area Protection Zone offer much more clearly delineated levels of protection and list of discretionary uses.
Our Recommendation
We stand in support of the history of Council’s decisions expressed through laws and policies to make it a priority to PRESERVE Edmonton’s River Valley and Ravine System for the benefit of current and future Edmontonians.
Consequently, we recommend there be no decisions on any rezoning of the River Valley and Ravine System until the Ribbon of Green planning process has been completed. Until that time, the current zoning should be maintained and applied.
Any proposed rezoning by the New Zoning Bylaw should align with the Council approved City Plan, Breathe - the first strategic plan for a whole park system, and the Ribbon of Green. Any regulations issued must similarly comply and deliver on their intent.
The Central area of the Ribbon of Green is currently being updated, and many other areas such as Big Lake, the upper part of Horsehills Creek, and the newly annexed lands to Devon are not yet assessed for protection priorities or necessary measures on access or development. Consequently, it is inappropriate and inconsistent with city policies to determine zoning before these areas have been assessed.
We support the Ribbon of Green approach to river valley uses, which range from preservation area (most limited) to conservation area (middle), to activity zone (activity allowed). Our position is the New Zoning Bylaw renewal approach does not meet the direction outlined in the Ribbon of Green NE + SW.
Council however must address the Natural Area Protection Zone conundrum. Currently, lands can only be designated based on an approved Natural Area Management Plan or be identified for preservation in a Council- approved secondary plan such as an Area Structure Plan, establishing the boundaries of the specific natural feature requiring protection. Regrettably, budgets have yet to be allocated for this work to be completed. For credibility of the protection regime, this work must proceed prior to any zoning decisions.
There is no reference found in the proposed New Zoning Bylaw to observe the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Growth Plan’s Natural Living Systems. It provides for the following “a system of natural features and areas, linked and connected by natural corridors that are necessary to maintain biological and geological diversity, natural functions, viable populations of indigenous species and ecosystems. These are areas where development should not occur and specific conservation and mitigation measures may be required to protect the integrity across the system. These areas include the North Saskatchewan River Basin, provincial parks and other areas of ecological significance.”
The proposed New Zoning Bylaw makes no reference to the need to incorporate Edmonton Metropolitan Region Growth Plan principle “7. Protect natural living systems and environmental assets. We will practice wise environmental stewardship and promote the health of the regional ecosystem, watersheds, and environmentally sensitive areas.”
While climate resilience is referenced as an important strategic goal, no provision is made to ensure consideration on how zoning decisions may impact the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis facing our river valley and ravine system.
As Edmonton’s population grows, pressures on the river valley will grow. The New Zoning bylaw will be the critical on the ground implementation tool that will determine the future of Edmonton’s River Valley and Ravine System.
Thousands of Edmontonians participated in consultations and millions were expended to develop the City Plan, Breathe and Ribbon of Green planning process. Until the Ribbon of Green has been completed there should be no rezoning of the River Valley and Ravine System.
Sincerely yours,
Stephen Madsen, President
Board of Directors
NSRVCS Budget Presentation
November 28, 2022
Administration’s recommended budgets leave two City Council initiated packages unfunded. These are the River Valley Trail Strategy in the Operating Budget, which was initiated by Councillor Salvador, and the Natural Area Reserve Fund in the Capital Budget, which was initiated by Councillor Rutherford. Our presentation urges City Council to fund these two packages.
River Valley Trail Strategy
At Urban Planning Committee on May 31, and in a March 22 letter to Administration, our society submitted that completion of a trail master plan needed to be a priority with adequate funding and staff resources. A complete assessment of trails and a comprehensive process for planning and maintenance of a trail system is critically needed. Movement on advancing a trail study is a critical input into the River Valley Planning Modernization project.
We had received significant community feedback regarding informal and unsanctioned trails in Edmonton’s Ribbon of Green. A dozen other individuals and organizational representatives spoke on May 31 and what we all agreed on was that inaction is not an option and community engagement needs to be a priority.
The limited budget, a few hundred thousand dollars, needed for the currently unfunded River Valley Trail Strategy can be found on page 200 of the Operating Budget.
The lack of a trail master plan has become a contentious public issue, involving both river valley users and residents who live adjacent to our river valley and ravine system. Increased human use of the river valley and ravine system during the pandemic has highlighted deficiencies in the city’s trail planning capacity.
Action is needed now. The modest amount of money required to fund the River Valley Trail Strategy will pay dividends in a trail master plan that will address the current contentious and unaddressed public concerns. We urge you to support this operating budget item.
Natural Area Reserve Fund
At Executive Committee, on June 1 and in a September 27 letter, our society urged Council to replenish the Natural Area Reserve Fund.
Edmonton has been recognized with awards for its natural areas’ policy. However, natural areas historically are removed at a rate faster than the City can acquire and Administration’s budget for acquisition is tapped out. The reality is the city’s resources for natural areas protection and conservation needs to be reinvigorated.
The Natural Area Reserve Fund was created by Council in 2009 with $18 million dollars to fund the purchase of tableland natural areas that cannot be acquired through either environmental reserve or municipal reserve dedication.
It is the primary source of funding to support acquisition of priority natural areas, but it is fully subscribed, so no further funding is available for opportunistic purchases or purchases in future growth areas.
To date, the City has leveraged the money to acquire 70 hectares of natural areas. Included at the end of this presentation is the location of the six sites acquired and two sites in process.
Purchase requests on sites located in the Decoteau and Riverview areas will fully utilize the remaining $6.5 million. This is the money noted on page 328 of the Capital Budget (titled CM-17-3017 Natural Areas Acquisition 6.5m (2023 &2024) – Funded).
A growing population needs natural areas. Their ecosystem services and carbon sink potential make them a natural climate solution part of the City’s Carbon Budget. The New Zoning Bylaw Initiative’s emphasis on higher density and District Plans means Edmonton needs more, not less, tableland natural areas.
Edmonton cannot afford leaving the Natural Area Reserve Fund unfunded for the next four years. Administration in Attachment 2 of the Capital Budget provided an option to pass a motion allocating $10m over 4 years, or $2.5m annually. We urge you to make this happen.
Summary
I want to end by stating budgets are not just documents about money. To quote from Calgary Councillor Coutney Walcott, “A budget is a moral document. It signifies what you value, because in our system, what you invest in and what you spend money on signifies your values.”
We urge you to invest in the River Valley Trail Strategy and the Natural Area Reserve Fund.
Addendum
Since 2009, the Natural Area Reserve fund has supported these land acquisitions:
NE8088: Crystallina Nera, 17555 82 Street NW, Ward tastawiyiniwak ᑕᐢᑕᐃᐧᔨᓂᐊᐧᐠ
NE8091: McConachie, 1080 McConachie Boulevard NW, Ward Dene
NE8002: Rural NE Horse Hill, 20703 Meridian Street NE, Ward Dene
NW384: Riverview Area, 1803 Winterburn Road SW, Ward sipiwiyiniwak
SE5007: Meltwater, 1904/1750 34 Street SW, Ward Sspomitapi
NW7016: Rapperswill, 145 Rapperswill Drive NW, Ward Anirniq
Decoteau, no specific property information, Ward Sspomitapi
Riverview, no specific property information, Ward sipiwiyiniwak