Modular housing approved for southwest Edmonton land despite spacing concerns from next-door church

The proposed ATCO "Viva Homes" modular development in the Haddow neighbourhood of Edmonton. (City of Edmonton)

City council has approved the rezoning of land in a southwest neighbourhood community Tuesday that leaders of an adjacent church say will cause unaccounted-for spacing and traffic concerns.

The land at 240 Haddow Close NW is owned by energy group ATCO. The company’s plan is to rezone the space for new residential modular housing through its “Viva Homes” division.

The prospective development would have 32-unit, three-storey townhomes sitting beside St. Thomas More Parish. A spokesperson told council the design would allow for lower rents.

Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz said the land was perfect for access to amenities and transit lines.

“It’s honestly an outstanding location. The main concern here was just the parking concerns of the neighbours. Nobody was really objecting to the development itself,” he said on Tuesday.

A few church leaders spoke against the rezoning at city council’s Tuesday public hearing, concerned that additional traffic would clog up the street, which is already heavily used during church events, and reduce the number of available parking spots for residents and churchgoers alike.

The land also has an exit ramp onto Terwillegar Drive, a freeway church leaders were concerned drivers would shortcut using the Haddow Close property.

One speaker said police are already often called to the church to help co-ordinate inordinate volumes of traffic on busy days.

Other concerns include emergency vehicle access at the neighbouring fire hall. Administration, however, told council they had spoken to fire crews, who reportedly had no concern about road access.

Council approved the rezoning bylaw 8-5, with Coun. Elliot, Rutherford, Morgan, Parmar and Principe opposed.

Ward pihêsiwin Coun. Mike Elliott attempted to postpone a decision until a scheduled traffic analysis but the move was dismissed.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson