Good afternoon,

In our continued effort to remain transparent regarding developments in our Ward, I would like to introduce "Neighbourhood Updates from Mike."

Below are several timely updates on projects and initiatives currently underway within our Ward. If you do not see your specific area listed, please stay tuned for future updates. Additionally, we will be sharing a comprehensive transportation update in the coming weeks, as this is a matter that impacts our entire community.

Keswick and Glenridding

Next week, I will be door knocking in the Keswick and Glenridding area. I look forward to meeting you and hearing your feedback or concerns regarding our community.

In the interim, you may have seen updates on my social media regarding the signal timing at the intersection of Rabbit Hill Road and Ellerslie Road. Earlier this year, I requested a review of this intersection as we await development in the area. Following my request, the Traffic Operations team reviewed this intersection in February.

As a result, Administration is updating the eastbound and westbound movements to utilize detection technology. This allows signal timings to adjust to real-time traffic demand by shortening green lights when traffic is light. These changes will be implemented in approximately two weeks.

I look forward to seeing you next week and discussing any neighborhood traffic concerns you may have.

Brander Gardens 

I would like to share an update with you this afternoon regarding the nordic spa in Brander Gardens.

The project will include saunas, steam baths, cold plunges and outdoor relaxation areas, among other regular features included in a spa. Construction is expected to generate about 330 temporary  jobs, and 52 permanent full-time jobs once operational. The project is on track with an anticipated opening date set for late 2028.

In March, site work began as part of the preparation for construction. This included removing diseased and fallen trees on the property as well as removing trees in areas where future buildings and parking facilities will be located.

Scandinave has assured me that they remain committed to preserving existing trees wherever possible in order to maintain the site’s natural setting. This is consistent with their other locations in Quebec. The concrete fence around the property will also be kept.

If you have any questions about this development, please feel free to email my office or visit the Scandinave Spa site at https://www.scandinave.com/about.

Haddow 

A rezoning application, LDA25-044, at 240 Haddow Close NW is scheduled to come to Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 7th. The proposed rezoning is to allow for the development of a range of small to medium-scale housing at this location. Please be advised that, pursuant to the Municipal Government Act of Alberta, Councillors must refrain from reaching a final decision or communicating a position on a development application until the Public Hearing has concluded.

At Public Hearings, any and all speakers are permitted to speak for up to 5 minutes either for or against a development application.  Once Council has heard all submissions, including information provided by City Administration, Council will then debate the matter and reach a decision.

Please see the “Request to Speak” section here for information about registering to speak at a Public Hearing. When registering, you need to reference item numbers 4.7 and 4.8. I encourage you to review the attachments related to these items. Alternatively, if you would like all of Council to receive your comments electronically, please send them to [email protected] in advance of the Public Hearing date.

Rest assured I will ensure that my vote reflects what I believe to be of the best benefit for the local community and our great City. If you are concerned about this rezoning, please register to speak at the Public Hearing or share your feedback with the City Clerk’s Office. 

Henderson 

I would like to provide an update on the Henderson Park School Site (3408 and 3430 Riverbend Road NW). 

Firstly, I would like to provide some historical context to be transparent about the process that led to this site being developed for a French school. I apologize for the level of detail provided below, but I believe this background is necessary to understand the current plans.

Timeline of Henderson Site:

• 1979 - Riverbend Area Structure Plan (ASP) designates the site at 3408 Riverbend Road NW as a park/school site. This ASP was repealed on June 8, 2021.
• 1980 - Henderson Estates Neighbourhood Structure Plan (NSP) designates the site at 3408 Riverbend Road NW as a park/school intended for the Public School Board. This NSP was repealed on June 8, 2021.
• 2007 - Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord (CSCN) added to Joint Use Agreement.
• 2009 - The Henderson Estates site is declared surplus by EPSB (Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord did not seek it for their use at the time)
• 2015 - Policy C583 Developing Surplus School Sites was created, further refining the site's use to affordable housing.
• 2020 - Revised plan for the Bryan Anderson Athletic Grounds (BAAG) completed. This plan identified an EPSB school site at the southwest corner of the BAAG. This school site was referred to as the Leger site.
• 2021 - The Francophone school board (CSCN) expressed a need for two K-6 schools in southwest Edmonton.
• 2023 - City Council approved amendments to Policy C538A to bring the policy into alignment with current legislation and broader regulatory framework of the City. The revised Policy C538A provided a list of development sites including the Henderson Estates site. 
• 2024 - The Leger site on the Bryan Anderson Athletic Grounds is declared surplus by EPSB. Claimed by CSCN as per the Joint Use Agreement.
• 2024 - The Whitemud District Plan is adopted and it designates the Henderson Estates site as “Park- Current”. An Area Specific Policy directs that small scale and low-rise residential development are suitable for the 1.2 hectare surplus school site portion of Henderson Park. 
• February 2025 - Swap of interests between Leger and Henderson Estates approved by Council by removing the Henderson Estates site from the list of applicable surplus school sites identified for affordable housing, and adding the Leger site to the list.
• March 2025 - Rezoning (LDA25-0137) proposed for the Leger site from the Parks and Services Zone (PS) to the Medium Scale Residential Zone (RM h23.0). This application is on hold pending confirmation that the proposed zone is the correct residential zone to support the anticipated development. No public hearing date is scheduled at this time.
• December 2025 - Rezoning (LDA25-0524) proposed for the Henderson Estates site from the Future Urban Development Zone (FD) to the Parks and Services Zone (PS) to facilitate the development of a school for CSCN. This application also includes an amendment to the Whitemud District Plan to remove the direction for housing. Tentatively scheduled for Public Hearing on May 5, 2026.

As stated above, the Henderson site was declared surplus several years ago and originally slated for infill housing. By way of background a school site was originally included in the master plan for the Bryan Anderson Athletic Grounds in Leger. Following a determination by the Public School Board that the site was surplus, the Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord (the Francophone School Board) claimed it. However, after discussions between City Administration and the Francophone Board, it was determined that the Leger site was better suited for housing while the Henderson site was better suited for a school. Consequently, a site swap was initiated. 

The Henderson Park site has since been prioritized by the Francophone School Board for a K-6 school. It has also received planning funding from the Government of Alberta through the School Construction Accelerator Program. While receiving planning funds generally suggests that construction funding may follow, there is currently no set construction schedule but there are some project milestones that need to occur. 

As part of this project, the site must go to a Public Hearing for rezoning to a Parks and Services Zone (PS). This zoning allows for development on parkland intended to serve educational, recreational, and community needs. While the PS Zone would apply to the entire 5.1-hectare park, the school facility—including buildings, parking, and drop-off areas—would be limited to a 1.2-hectare area, likely in the southwest corner. The park would then function as a joint-use site, providing students with access to sports fields and playgrounds.

Please note that if the rezoning is not approved at the Public Hearing, the site will remain a Future Urban Development Zone (FD). In this scenario, the land would continue to function as a park in the short term, but would remain a "holding zone" pending future development as directed by statutory plans and would very likely be developed as an affordable housing site..

If this rezoning is not approved at the Public Hearing, the site will remain available for future development. This location has always been intended for construction, such as an infill property or a school. City Administration continues to advise that a school is the best use for this site. A Public Hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 5th. My office will share once the Public Hearing date is scheduled. 

If there is a topic or issue we missed that you would like to see included in an upcoming Neighbourhood Updates from Mike, please let my office know. We will be happy to consider your suggestions for future editions.