'None of my neighbours know about it': Concerned citizens say not enough public awareness around proposed bylaw changes

The City of Edmonton is making a major change this year, which will dictate how the city grows and densifies in coming decades.

The City of Edmonton is making a major change this year, which will dictate how the city grows and densifies in coming decades.

The city is overhauling its zoning bylaw for the first time since the 1960's and despite the process being nearly complete, a group of concerned citizens is asking officials to scrap the plan.

On Thursday, the group rallied outside City Hall, calling on council to pause or restart the ongoing overhaul of Edmonton's zoning bylaw.

"City council does not have a mandate to proceed with this bylaw," said Kevin Taft, the leader of the concerned citizen group.

The group has various concerns about specific changes being proposed, including eight-storey mid-rise buildings – and in some areas high-rise buildings – being automatically permitted and built without appeal.

However, their main argument is that there is not enough public awareness surrounding the process.

"I would say really none of my neighbours know about it," said Arlene Tessier.