Discussion on Jasper Ave high-rise put on hold for two weeks

The fate of a proposed 45-storey residential tower just west of Edmonton’s downtown core will have to wait another two weeks.

After several hours at city council Monday, debate on the project was postponed so that amendments could be made to address city administration’s concern with some wording in the bylaw.

The mayor said getting the details right is very important because it sets the standard for future developments.

“But it does fall in line with what we want for this city, which is a big bold vision, which is building our downtown,” Councillor Dave Loken said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "But it does fall in line with what we want for this city, which is a big bold vision, which is building our downtown," Councillor Dave Loken said.

If the zoning is approved, the Emerald Tower would be built on a gravel lot at the corner of Jasper Avenue and 114 Street. The current height limit in the area is 14 storeys.

“We wanted density, we wanted height,” Councillor Tony Caterina said. “Here’s the project that’s come forward and now you guys are concerned. Maybe we should re-open the airport and leave everything at 20 storeys.”

WATCH: Proposed skyscraper for Jasper Avenue doesn’t convince everyone at City Hall

2:23 Proposed skyscraper for Jasper Avenue doesn’t convince everyone at City Hall

Regency Developments said it wants to change how people view Jasper Avenue and impact the city’s skyline.

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However, the Oliver Community League raised concerns about the height of the building.

“This tower will cast, certainly, a long shadow,” Michael Sacha, with the community league, said Friday.  “I think it’s important that if we’re going to see development like this that we get the right kind of investment back in the community.”

READ MORE: Tall tower proposal for central Edmonton runs into opposition 

The city wants to see either five per cent of the roughly 270 units offered at 85 per cent market value or a lump sum grant of $750,000.

“They’ve agreed in part to the affordable housing requirement, though not the way the city administration normally phrases it, so we’re not at a total disconnect here,” Mayor Don Iveson said. “It’s about getting the details right.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They've agreed in part to the affordable housing requirement, though not the way the city administration normally phrases it, so we're not at a total disconnect here," Mayor Don Iveson said. "It's about getting the details right."

“It would be OK if everybody else played by the same rules,” said Simon O’Byrne, a consultant on the project. “But the majority of the other developers … that are active in the core do not have that provision so then it puts them at an unfair advantage.”

The company is aiming at making the overall development “attainable,” with two-bedroom, two-bath units expected to start in the $350,000 range. To achieve that, the company would have only one level of underground parking with three more levels of parking above ground, above the planned retail level.

“We’re going to hide the above-grade parking behind this coloured glass,” Regency Developments’ Raj Dhunna said Friday.

“There’s nothing wrong with raising the bar on design,” Councillor Scott McKeen said after council’s debate Monday. “We’ve seen good design in this city and we should not be going backwards on design and I feel that this tower, as it’s proposed, is going backwards.”