Blatchford zoning, meeting Edmonton’s MLAs and remembering Ezio Faraone
June 26, 2015
With the official arrival of summer, and Father’s Day celebrations wrapped up for another year, Mayor Iveson headed into a week that featured meetings with provincial government ministers and important Council business.
Monday’s public hearing marked a significant step forward for the Blatchford redevelopment in the heart of our city. Council passed new zoning regulations for the former airport lands that will encourage, among other built forms, row housing development. Row housing is a product missing from core Edmonton neighbourhoods and Blatchford will provide families with a brand new option in the city. The zoning regulations also support urban agriculture opportunities, walkability, enhanced urban design, Low Impact Development, a variety of built forms and housing options, improved affordability, mixed-use development, and additional green space.
That afternoon, Mayor Iveson met one-on-one with Premier Notley to discuss key issues like the Big City Charter, affordable housing, and reconciliation with Aboriginal peoples.
City Council met Tuesday and covered topics like tweaking ward boundaries, approving easier access into the river valley via a funicular and eliminating herbicides on City-owned properties, except for golf courses and some premier sports and event parks. Perhaps the most significant item on the Council agenda was the 2016-18 operating budget guidelines set out by administration that defined Council’s previous budget commitments and their impact on the tax levy. The forecasted rates include a 1.5% commitment for neighbourhood renewal and 1% impact for construction of the Valley Line LRT. Mayor Iveson recognized that this discussion was largely around administration’s guidelines and suggested that work between now and November’s budget debate will centre on finding all possible cost savings to reduce the increase to the tax levy.
Wednesday morning Mayor Iveson, City Council and the City’s senior leadership team welcomed new Edmonton MLAs and Ministers to breakfast at City Hall. The get-together featured a brief presentation from Mayor Iveson on Edmonton’s priorities in the coming years and highlighted opportunities for partnership with the new government.
During lunch Wednesday, Mayor Iveson spoke to the China-Canada Business Association and recounted his first overseas mayoral mission, underlining his commitment to maintaining Edmonton's ties with Asia. To help expand into Asian markets, Mayor Iveson encouraged the business community to enlist the help of the Alberta government's trade offices with their wide networks and on-the-ground knowledge.
Thursday afternoon, Mayor Iveson took part in a ceremony to honour the memory of Ezio Faraone on the 25th anniversary of his death. Constable Ezio Faraone was killed in the line of duty while trying to apprehend a couple of bank robbers, and given the recent death of Constable Woodall, the ceremony served as another reminder of the risk that Edmonton’s police officers take on behalf of the citizens of our city. Following the ceremony the Mayor had the opportunity to pay his respects to Elsa Faraone, Ezio Faraone's mother.
All day Friday, the Mayor took part in a workshop to help shape the next round of the regional growth plan. This important discussion will centre on better managing regional infrastructure and servicing needs, affordable housing, residential density targets and a more robust economic development strategy.
Finally, this week marked the end of Mary Pinkoski’s term as the city’s Poet Laureate. Mary’s poems helped bring colour to key civic milestones, including Constable Woodall’s death and the Winter Cities Shake-Up conference. We welcome incoming Poet Laureate Pierrette Requier and thank Mary for her beautiful words!
For More Information
Mayor Don Iveson
2nd Floor, City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB
T5J 2R7
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