WPCL Civics Update April 2025
Here are a few updates on development and transit changes in and around Windsor Park.
April 7 Public Hearing – 84 Avenue Rezoning
At the April 7 Public Hearing, City Council unanimously voted against the rezoning application for a property on 84 Avenue. The proposal did not meet the City’s location criteria for higher-density development. Although rezoning was denied, the applicant, BM Homes, has already applied for a Development Permit to build an 8-unit development (four row-houses with four basement suites) on the site. Instead of a four-car garage, which was part of the rezoning application, a four-car parking pad off the alley is now planned. In preparing for this hearing, Windsor Park Community League highlighted two significant trends:
Increasing Density: Between 2021 and 2024, the number of single-family homes in Windsor Park decreased from about 87% to just under 50% of all dwelling units. Apartment units are expected to increase from about 5% to more than 47%, shifting Windsor Park from below the city average to well above it.
Future Densification: A preliminary count suggests about one-third of properties in Windsor Park (around 180 lots) could meet the criteria for higher-density rezoning in the future.
Rezoning for Child Care in Windsor House
The proposed rezoning to allow a child care centre in Windsor House is now expected to go to Public Hearing on June 9. This will support the University Community Early Learning Centre (UCELC), which needs to relocate from the Elementary School by June 2026. They are also exploring backup options. In the meantime, plans are in place for the UCELC Kindergarten group to use the Windsor Park Community League hall starting this summer.
Windsor Park Shopping Centre Development
An open house was held on April 2 to present updated plans for the shopping centre site at 87 Avenue and 118 Street. These included a tall high-rise building and an attached 4-storey building along 117 Street and a new east-west alley behind the site.
The Traffic Impact Assessment is being updated to reflect a smaller commercial space, which should reduce future traffic impacts. The public hearing date for the rezoning has not yet been set, but June 9 is a possible date.
Rezoning Applications on 116 Street
In January, BM Homes submitted applications to rezone two properties on 116 Street between 92 Avenue and Edinboro Road for 4-storey low-rise development (RMh16 zoning). These applications are currently inactive, pending payment of application fees. The League will be notified by the City if and when the applications move forward at which point the league has the opportunity to comment. To see all rezoning applications in the neighbourhood, head to: https://www.edmonton.ca/residential_neighbourhoods/neighbourhoods/planning-applications
Changes to Community Bus Service
ETS has announced that Bus Route 726, serving Windsor Park, Belgravia, and McKernan, will be discontinued at the end of June 2025 due to low ridership. It will be replaced with on-demand transit service. On-demand transit must be booked at least one hour in advance using the On Demand Transit app, a phone call to 780-496-2400, or online at Edmonton.ca/OnDemandTransit