Edmonton City Council has postponed a decision on the relaxation of rules governing secondary suites, partially in response to concerns raised by the EFCL. At a meeting on Nov. 18, council set the matter over until January 19 and asked the city administration to review the possibility of making secondary suites a discretionary use in owner-occupied buildings, as opposed to a permitted use in any residential home. Both of these issues were raised as concerns by the EFCL.

“This is a major change the city is contemplating,” noted EFCL executive director Allan Bolstad. “We were hoping they would take a slightly more cautious approach.”

Council also asked the administration to review the rules around parking and density of development, along with the height of suites built on top of a detached garage.

Meanwhile, Nov. 13 city council decided to postpone further consideration of The Way We Grow – its long-term land use plan – and The Way We Move – its long-term transportation plan, to its April 23, 2009, meeting.

The EFCL is concerned about the lack of targets and meaningful ways to implement policies identified in the plan, such as the greater use of transit and a move toward higher density development throughout the city.