Edmonton Zoning Bylaw 12800

910.      Downtown Special Area Zoning Regulations

Bylaw 15201

December 13, 2010

910.1      General Purpose

To designate the Downtown area as a Special Area and to adopt the following land use regulations to achieve the objectives of the Capital City Downtown Plan.

 

Charter Bylaw 19730

July 6, 2021

910.2       Application

Notwithstanding Section 900.2.2, the designation, location and boundaries of each zone affected or created in Section 910 shall apply, as indicated in the Downtown Boundary Map, Appendix 1 to this Section and Part III of the Zoning Bylaw. The following Appendices also apply to this Section: Appendix 2 Downtown Maximum Floor Area Ratio Map and Appendix 3 Downtown Maximum Height Map.

910.3      Zones Created by Special Area Provisions

Bylaw 15489

January 18, 2011

 

Specific zones, as contained in Sections 910.5, 910.6, 910.7, 910.8, 910.9, 910.10, 910.11 and 910.12, have been created in accordance with Section 900 of the Zoning Bylaw.

 

All Regulations in the Zoning Bylaw shall apply to development in the AED, CCA, CMU, HA, HDR, JAMSC, RMU and UW, unless such Regulations are specifically excluded or modified therein.

 

Where a discrepancy exists between the Special Area regulations and general zoning regulations, the Special Area regulations shall prevail.

910.4      DOWNTOWN WIDE REGULATIONS:

The following Zoning Regulations are common to all the Downtown Special Area Zones.  Further regulation may be described under individual zones.

 

Charter Bylaw 19275

June 23, 2020

Effective: July 2, 2020

  1. Vehicle Parking

Bylaw 18171

September 11, 2017

Bylaw 16733

July 6, 2015

Charter Bylaw 19275

June 23, 2020

Effective: July 2, 2020

  1. Vehicle Parking that is part of the building podium shall be screened in a way that does not disrupt the continuity of the Street Wall and the character of the zone, and shall be limited to no more than12m in Height from Grade. Screens may include, but are not limited to, public art and street fronting retail Uses.

Charter Bylaw 18387

May 7, 2018

Charter Bylaw 19275

June 23, 2020

Effective: July 2, 2020

  1. No portion of an Above Ground Parkade on the first floor shall be allowed for a minimum depth of 8.0 m from any front Façade facing a public roadway, other than a Lane. Vehicular Access shall be from the Abutting Lane.

  2. Surface Parking Lots:

  1. A Surface Parking Lot shall only be located at the rear of a building and be accessed from the Abutting alley;

  2. A minimum 4m landscaped setback shall be provided from any property line Abutting a public roadway, other than a Lane, for any Surface Parking Lot;  

  3. The storage of materials inclusive of accumulated snow on a Surface Parking Lot shall be in a location away from the public roadway to improve safety and visibility; and

  4. Lighting for the non-accessory Surface Parking Lots shall be a minimum of 6 LUX.

  1. Access

  1. Vehicular access to parking structures and sites shall be from the Abutting alleys to maintain an uninterrupted street façade and enhance the pedestrian experience, except where there is no alley or where steep slopes inhibit access, only then shall access be from the street.

Bylaw 16032

March 12, 2012

  1. Driveway ramps for underground parkades shall not exceed a slope of 6% for the first 4.5m from the property line, or as prescribed by Transportation Services.

  2. For residential, residential related, hotel, and institutional Uses, passenger drop-off areas and lay-bys on private properties may be allowed within the Front Setback, provided there is adequate space available and that sidewalk continuity is maintained to the satisfaction of Transportation Services.

  1. Bicycle Parking and Facilities

  1. For non-Residential Uses with a gross floor area over 5,000 m2 change rooms, showers, and covered, secured parking areas shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Development Officer.  LEED™ standards shall be utilized to calculate the required areas.

  1. Garbage and Services

  1. Any trash collection area or storage area, shall be located adjacent to the Lane and shall be within the principle building.

  2. The gates and/or doors of the garbage enclosure must not open or encroach into the Abutting road right-of-way.

  1. Signage

Bylaw 17959

May 29, 2017

  1. Prior to issuing a development permit for a sign, the Development Officer shall have regard for visual harmony and the compatibility of the sign with surrounding development, including:

The Development Officer shall refuse any Sign Application that may adversely impact the amenities or character of the Zone, or that does not comply with the Capital City Downtown Plan.

  1. A Comprehensive Sign Design Plan in accordance with the Provisions of Section 59.3. may be required at the discretion of the Development Officer,

Bylaw 17959

May 29, 2017

  1. At the discretion of the Development Officer, applications for Digital Signs may require review by the Edmonton Design Committee for Digital Signs in accordance with Section 14.7. The Development Officer in exercising their discretion shall have regard for visual harmony and the compatibility with surrounding development and the policies of the Capital City Downtown Plan as indicated in Section 910.4(5)(a).

  1. Weather and Environmental Influences

  1. Buildings and public spaces shall be designed with materials and forms to increase pedestrian comfort and the use of public streets and open spaces using design initiatives outlined in the policies on Winter City Design and Urban Design within the Capital City Downtown Plan, Bylaw 15200.  

  2. Developments shall provide protection from inclement weather such as canopies, awnings, sunshades overhangs or colonnades, designed to fit the character of the block or building.

  1. Exterior Lighting

  1. Decorative and security lighting shall be designed and finished in a manner consistent with the architectural theme of the development and will be provided to ensure a well-lit environment for pedestrians, and to accentuate architectural elements, roof tops and public art.

  2. Exterior lighting associated with the development shall be designed such that it has no negative impact on an adjacent property.

  3. Detailed exterior lighting plans may be required for major developments at the discretion of the Development Officer.  

  1. Transparency

  1. The ground floor level portion of the façade Abutting a public roadway, other than a Lane, shall be comprised of transparent, non-reflective, non-tinted, non-obscured glazing.

Bylaw 16733

July 6, 2015

Charter Bylaw 18381

May 7, 2018

  1. Blank walls or non-transparent surfaces shall not exceed 20% of the linear building Frontage at ground level, where fronting onto a public roadway, other than a Lane.  Blank walls or non-transparent surfaces on buildings with non-Residential Uses shall not exceed 6.0m in width, except if the surface is designed to accommodate Public Art, then the maximum width shall be no wider than 10.0m.

910.5  (CCA) Core Commercial Arts Zone

910.6  (CMU) Commerial Mixed Use Zone

910.7   (HA) Heritage Area Zone

910.8   (HDR) High Density Residential Zone

910.9   (JAMSC)Jasper Avenue Main Street Commercial Zone

910.10 (RMU) Residential Mixed-Use Zone

910.11  (UW) Urban Warehouse Zone

Bylaw 15489

January 18, 2011

910.12  (AED) Arena & Entertainment District Zone

 

 

Appendix 1 Downtown Boundary Map

Appendix 2 Downtown Maximum Floor Area Ratio Map

Appendix 3 Downtown Maximum Height Map.