Understanding Infill Changes: What WPCL and RIWG are Recommending

If you’ve been following Edmonton’s infill discussions, you may have heard about proposals to reduce 8-plexes to 6-plexes. While that is part of the story, there is more happening that affects our neighbourhoods, and it’s important to understand what’s really being proposed and how our community league is responding.

What Is Being Proposed?

There are two motions from City Council:

Motion 1 – RS Zone Changes (November 19, 2025)

This motion directs Administration to report on:

• Options for reducing the maximum number of dwellings on interior or mid-block sites in the RS Small-Scale Residential Zone
• Ways to reduce the impact of building height on adjacent properties
• Feedback from past community engagement
• Options to maintain and retain trees on private property

District Policy and RSM Zone Changes (August 18, 2025)

This motion directs Administration to consider:

• Amendments to the Zoning Bylaw or District Plans to limit mid-block redevelopment larger than small-scale development outside of nodes and corridors
• Considerations of site size, height, and context

Proposed Changes

Administration proposes changes to:

• Balance infill development with protecting existing neighbourhoods
• Support larger-scale development primarily in nodes and corridors, with additional opportunity near mass transit and along arterial roads
• Include local context in rezoning recommendations
• Affect only the rezoning process; development permits under existing zones are not impacted

What This Consultation Is (and Isn’t) About

The City’s infill consultation focuses on planning rules, including maximum units per lot, building size and height, and where higher-density developments can be supported. No development is automatically approved – every project still goes through public hearings and the normal City review process, so residents can provide input.

However, this consultation doesn’t address:

• Property values
• Site-specific parking
• Number of bedrooms or family housing
• Broader infrastructure (roads, water, sewers)
• Full tree protection measures (beyond the limited options under consideration)

Basically, it’s about how buildings fit into the neighbourhood, not every factor that affects daily life.

What the City is Proposing

The current consultation includes:

• Reducing maximum units on some mid-block lots from 8 to 6
• Options under consideration for building height and sidewall limits, including reducing maximum height from 10.5 m to 9.5 m, limiting sidewall height, or shortening third-story length
• Changes to District Policy that guide how rezonings are evaluated near transit and main roads

While these changes may seem minor, the broader policy language gives planners more discretion in how applications are evaluated, which has raised concerns about predictability and neighbourhood fit.

WPCL’s Recommendations

The Windsor Park Community League’s Development Committee reviewed the proposals and the Residential Infill Working Group (RIWG) recommendations. Here’s how WPCL is responding:

• Units per lot: Supports reducing mid-block units, ideally to 4 units mid-block and 6 on corner lots, with garages for each primary unit. Accepts the City’s 8 → 6 proposal as an improvement over the current rules.
• Height: Supports reducing maximum height from 10.5 m → 9.5 m if other options are limited.
• Trees: Strongly supports protecting mature private trees, following examples from other Canadian cities.
• District Policy: Supports deleting outdated policies but opposes vague new rules that could apply broadly across Windsor Park and create uncertainty.

WPCL’s approach is practical and protective, focusing on what can realistically be achieved in the short term while maintaining neighbourhood character.

RIWG’s Recommendations

RIWG takes a longer-term, structural approach to infill:

• Floor Area Ratio (FAR): Limit total building volume to keep new developments proportional to lot size
• Development boxes: Encourage separating front and rear buildings to reduce massing, shadowing, and loss of green space
• District Policy clarity: Use clear boundaries and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles to guide growth
• Trees and landscaping: Strong protections and incentives for new plantings

RIWG emphasizes that building size and massing, not just unit count, drive negative impacts like overshadowing, loss of privacy, and reduced green space.

Why This Matters

Both WPCL and RIWG agree that:

• Trees should be protected
• Building size should fit the neighbourhood scale
• Growth should be directed to appropriate locations (near transit and main roads)
• Residents and developers need predictable, clear rules

WPCL supports RIWG’s long-term vision while also providing interim solutions, such as reduced unit counts and height limits.

How You Can Respond

The City is asking for feedback on 2 motions:

A. RS Zone Amendments

• Reducing the maximum number of units on interior or mid-block lots
• Considering options for height limits on adjacent properties
• Protecting trees on private property

B. District Policy & RSM Zone Changes

• Changes to how rezonings are evaluated, including where higher-density infill may be supported (nodes, corridors, near transit, arterial roads)

You can choose to respond to either A or B, or both. Focus your feedback on the things that matter most to you, such as:

• Building size and massing
• Protection of mature trees
• Minimizing shadowing and preserving sunlight
• Maintaining neighbourhood fit and scale
• Predictability of planning decisions

Submit your comments directly to City Council using this link –> HERE. Deadline is January 29, 2026

Got questions for the WPCL Development Team? Email: developmentcommittee@windsor-park.ca.