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On behalf of Regency Developments, Stantec is inviting interested members of the community to provide feedback about the redevelopment of the aging Holyrood Gardens townhome site. Following an initial information session in November, a second open house will be held on January 19 at 9350 82 Street (South East Edmonton Seniors Association) in the cafeteria between 5 and 8 PM, where attendants can "have a look at the conceptual design and provide your comments," according to a notice.
Regency is planning to rezone 8310 and 8311 93 Avenue, a linear strip of land bordered to the west by 85 Street and to the south by 90 Avenue. As part of the Valley Line LRT project, a future transit station will be placed outside the front door of the property, making it an ideal spot for transit-oriented development and intensification.
Forum contributor Daveography indicated that developers would be looking at a range of residential densities for the property. Early plans suggest a seven-tower development anchored by a 26-storey building, with the remaining highrises settling between 22 and 24 floors. Apartments and townhouses are being considered, and letters sent home to nearby residents outline preliminary plans for retail along 93 Avenue and 84 Street.
Whatever form the development takes, it would require a rezoning from the current Site Specific Development Control (DC2) to a new Site Specific Development Control Provision (DC2), as each DC2 establishes regulations pursuant to a specific proposal. Since a new vision is being developed, it requires a new DC2 to move forward. Because the project's built form will likely vary wildly in its scale and character, a multi-phased approach to construction would be implemented.
Plans to replace the 1953-built townhouse complex have cropped up periodically over the last 25 years. Westcorp Inc. detailed a scheme to build a 1,000-unit development, to be housed in three 20-plus-storey towers, but neighbourhood opposition put the project to rest. A subsequent proposal years later halved the number of proposed units and packed them in low-rise apartments and townhouses. Time will tell whether Regency has better luck with the site, but with a heightened focus on pedestrian-friendly and street-oriented urban design, the concept should go further in addressing a broad mixture of neighbourhood concerns.
The previous engagement drew over 300 attendees eager to know more about the development.
