McKernan finds 109 St. plan cause for concern

City to come out in Feb. to hear local viewpoint City planners will be at the Feb. 6 Community League meeting to listen to McKernan concerns about the 109 St. Corridor Study plans presented in October. After attending the Oct. 26 open house that outlined draft design and policy concepts, the Community League heard some serious concerns, and sent a letter outlining them to City Planning on November 27.

Our letter of concern

The letter asked the city to direct the consultants to work with the communities to develop a plan consistent with the character of each of the neighbourhoods it traverses. "This is what we asked for in the first instance... The three zone overlay shows a blatant disregard for the historical character of the communities that conjoin on the 109th Street corridor. "

"We participated in a consultation in June at which we made these points. We are dissatisfied to find that our input shows no sign of having been taken into account. Rezoning is proposed for our neighbourhood, including proposals for increased density. No provision has been made for family dwellings in our section of the corridor, and (it showed) an utter disregard for our recommended retention of the residential character of our neighborhood."

The letter outlines a number of serious weaknesses in the proposal that include:

• No mention of retention of Mature Neighborhood Overlay - this is integral to the character of our community
• Height recommendation exceeds RF3 maximum height requirement of 2-1/2 storey.
• Zoning change from University Avenue to 72nd Avenue is not acceptable.
• No steps taken to ensure trees and boulevards are preserved

If these issues strike a chord with you, and you want to see responsible development along 109 Street, come to the Community League meeting Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. and tell the City directly.

What is the 109 Street Corridor Study?

From the City of Edmonton website/Infrastructure and Planning/109 St. Corridor Study

109 Street between the High Level Bridge and 61 Avenue is a prominent roadway in south-central Edmonton. As the result of concerns regarding development proposals along it, City Council directed the Planning and Development Department to study the 109 Street corridor in two phases: an assessment phase and a design and policy recommendation phase.

The assessment phase, completed in 2005, indicated that there is potential for and interest in additional redevelopment along 109 Street. The second phase of the study is now underway. Consultants have been hired to recommend an approach to managing the type, quality and appearance of redevelopment in the study area.

Click here for more information

Summer in the city

It’s time to think about summer... well, if you’re making decisions about playground programs, that is.

The Community League executive agreed at the January meeting to support the cost of the summer playground program again for 2007. This program sees McKernan and Belgravia each funding one playground leader for the Green Shack program in McKernan Park, with financial support from the City. The program runs in July and August and includes games, activities, and the best spot to go on a scorching summer day: the wading pool.

Central Area Council rep Terri Johnson reviewed the wading pool situation. Capital Health is demanding that city sites switch from untreated wading pools to either spray decks (without standing water) or to chlorinated pools. Last year the McKernan Park wading pool was chlorinated manually by the park leaders each day, and refilled and drained daily. No problems were noted and water quality tests showed excellent results. We will be allowed to continue this manual chlorination system again this year. Parents and park leaders expressed a preference for a wading pool over a spray deck, at least for the enjoyment of younger children, although the general trend is for the cheaper spray decks.

The City is exploring cost sharing options with communities to change over the pools, but it is on an 8-year plan of refurbishing existing sites and our park is on the list somewhere in the future. We will be notified when a decision about our pool is required.

A bigger issue, noted by park leaders, is the ongoing appearance in the pool area of broken glass, which must be swept up and removed daily. Perhaps other park users could be persuaded not to throw empty bottles onto the concrete at night?

The city will again be hiring summer park leaders (students), and jobs will be posted soon at the City of Edmonton website.

Although McKernan’s population of children under 14 is only half the city average (8.4% vs. 16.8% of total population), the summer green shack program is one of the best-used in the area. Over the last two years, an average of almost 11 children per hour came to the program in McKernan Park.

League welcomes new treasurer and U of A liaison

Bob Gansel, a resident of McKernan for almost 30 years, has stepped forward to take over the position of treasurer from Avril Crossley. The McKernan Community League sends out its greatest appreciation to Avril for her dedicated and efficient service, Thanks of course to Bob for stepping into the role and helping us keep our little financial boat afloat.

As well, Bente Roed has taken up the position of University Liaison. Other positions still available... We are still looking for a Secretary and a Programs Officer, along with members for:

• Housing Development Committee
• Social Convenor/Events Committee
• Planning/Building Issues Committee

If you have some abilities in these areas and can put in a very small time commitment, contact Hilary Gray at 434-0480 to join our team, or come out to a League meeting.

Transportation news

Construction on 114 St. has caused many problems for locals, and not all of them have been addressed to the satisfaction of Belgravia residents. In fact, feeling that their concerns are not being listened to and that unsafe and marginal conditions at the site have not been corrected, Belgravia has notified the City that they have decided to resign from ongoing active interaction with the city reps with respect to South LRT construction. The league will continue to provide information to residents. We, in McKernan, hope that this action will make the city listen more closely to affected residents and to take our concerns seriously. In construction news:

• Left turns at 76 Ave. onto 114 St. have been restored, but will be removed again in the spring when construction begins on the east side of 114 St.
• Belgravia Road will be restored in February

For updates on the South LRT project, visit www.edmontonslrt.com.

Transportation Master Plan

Edmonton is updating the 1999 Transportation Master Plan. The City of Edmonton’s Moving Edmonton website www.movingedmonton.ca. outlines the process and timelines for the update. You can participate in the process by registering at the site as an interested party.