Euro Design Master Builder (EDMB) is an Edmonton custom home builder promoting a healthy home environment, where sustainability and functionality come together. 

In 2019, EDMB hired Situate as the planning consultant to manage the rezoning process of an infill site at the corner of 127 Street and Stony Plain Road in the mature neighbourhood of Westmount, right beside the future Valley Line West LRT. The purpose of the rezoning was to accommodate “missing middle” multi-unit housing (aka six units of row housing). Situate wrote a custom direct control zone to accommodate the proposed development.

One of the main challenges on the site was a deficiency of water and hydrant infrastructure. Situate managed the process with EPCOR to determine the extent of the infrastructure deficiency, to solicit and receive an estimate on the cost for upgrades, to advocate for changes to city infrastructure policy (under the umbrella of the Infill Development in Edmonton Association, IDEA) to request an infill fire protection assessment, to apply for infrastructure cost share funding, and to manage all aspects of information gathering, sharing and advocacy.   

In addition, Situate wrote and championed support for a pragmatic custom regulation in the zone that allows for flexibility in the application of Policy C599, the City’s Community Amenity Contribution policy. The regulation requires three bedroom units to be provided in the development, in accordance with the policy. However, it also allows for cash to be paid in lieu of three bedroom units, in case people want a two bedroom unit that is more suitable for adults living as roommates, or for older adults aging-in-place. This regulatory solution adheres to Policy C599, while at the same time, allows the development to respond to people’s real life housing needs. 

 The rezoning was unanimously approved by City Council on August 18, 2020 (see Items 3.17 and 3.18 in the City Council public hearing meeting agenda).

Building rendering by Euro Design Master Builder.