The Groat Estates Residents Association, Properties on High Street Condominiums and the 124st and Area Business Association sent a letter to the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Edmonton expressing collective disappointment in the City’s Public Involvement Plan and process regarding Clifton Place LDA09-0262.
From the letter:
Collaborative Community Building
When the process began, we hoped for something new---that it would be a first step towards increased understanding and communications between the community, the city planning department and developers in our city. Through the Working Group meetings our members learned more about planning concepts and city processes which will enhance future communications with planners and developers. We tried to assist the developer and the City in better understanding the community’s goals and viewpoint. We hoped that a new shared understanding would result in creative options for the future.
As was stated throughout the Working Group process, our biggest hope has always been to build mutual agreement on an application which meets the special needs of the site and ends 20 years of development dialogue. We believe Clifton Place is a special site for a number of reasons. It is a heritage site which includes the home of Malcolm Groat, a man whose contribution to this city is extensive. The site has a beautiful view of the river valley and therefore we must accommodate the public interest. It is also near to the vibrant High Street shopping district and the 124th St. BRZ which needs to be enhanced. Finally, the site should not be viewed as the re-development of a downtown parcel. The site signals an east-west transition between the downtown area and the homes of Glenora and a north-west transition between the river valley and the homes of Groat Estates.
Request to Finish Process
From the beginning we have stated that our wish is to see this site developed in a manner which meets all the interests and unique elements. In our view the process is incomplete and the desired result has not yet been achieved. The community has no intention to surrender until we have a development plan which has a unique urban design, reflects the transitional elements of the parcel, and enhances the character of the surrounding community and businesses. The Groat Estates area has emerged as a desirable neighborhood in good part due to the hard work and commitment of the people in the community over the past 10 years and more. We believe that the applicant should be required to acknowledge that hard work and community contribution by giving back something which is meaningful to the community.
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