Community Involvement

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In the spring of 2012, following a competitive Request for Proposal process, the City selected two award-winning home builders: Rohit Communities and Landmark Group of Builders, to continue development of the First Place Program sites. A large part of the criteria to select these new home builders was their public consultation expertise and experience working with communities on new developments.

Design Engagement Process

Public information sharing and engagement is required. The City will share information and listen to community concerns, questions and insights that will help make the development the best possible “fit” in the neighbourhood.

Council Discussion and Direction

In 2006, City Council approved a plan to develop First Place housing on 20 sites declared surplus by school boards. Due to a sense of urgency around providing more housing choices for Edmontonians, a Provincial Order-In-Council enabled all sites to be rezoned at one time without the public hearing process normally attached to rezoning applications.

City Council directed administration in 2014 to place notification signs on all surplus school sites showing clearly the location and size of the building site, the adjacent open space, and other associated features.

Engagement Sessions

Residents of neighbourhoods with approved First Place Program sites are invited to attend Information Events or Public Engagement Events to review or provide feedback on site development plans.

Various subject matter experts (such as Drainage Engineers and Parks Planners) from the City of Edmonton, other agencies and the builder organization are available at these events to answer any questions residents may have about the development plans.

City Staff, the builder organization and agency staff (when applicable) will each have a table at the events based on subject matter, which will be organized in an ‘open house’ format.

Residents will have the opportunity to apply for the Design Engagement Committee at these events as well. Selected Committee Members provide feedback on site design details, conceptual site plans and final site plans during a series of meeting Successful applicants will be contacted following the events.

Further public meetings will be held as necessary to ensure community questions and concerns are answered as fully as possible.

Design and Construction

The Design Engagement Committee meets directly with the builder organization over a series of working sessions. In these sessions, consensus is developed around the structural footprint, access to sportsfields, parking, security, fencing, landscaping, trees and architectural details such as rooflines and trim that help the development “fit” with the neighbourhood.

The final step is for the builder to apply for development and building permits and begin construction.

For More Information

First Place Homes

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Email	firstplace@edmonton.ca

Community Involvement

Design Engagement Process

FAQ

First Place Program

Background

For More Information

First Place Homes