In Development Episode 23 - The King of Garden Suites Talks City Building with Don Tolsma

Today, David and Melissa Campbell join In Development to discuss their award winning missing middle housing development, T5M Connect. From a sign collecting development suggestions written in sharpie to accessibility decisions and landscaping, David and Melissa share their experience building the first Passive House Certified Multi-family building in Alberta! Environmental leadership was woven through the project from design to construction, and they highlight some of the components that go into a building that uses as little energy as possible. They also discuss the process of re-zoning to  DC2, and the huge role that community engagement played in the approval of that change. Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation!

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With more than 18 years of experience in the construction industry, David Campbell is highly respected in the Edmonton market. He has built a strong reputation among city officials, consultants, developers, clients, suppliers and trade contractors, who have recognized his knowledge and experience.

David is a highly qualified individual with a strong background in Design, Development and Project Management, particularly in large and small-scale multi-family commercial and residential construction. He holds a Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California, a Red Seal Journeyman Certificate, and is also a Passive House Certified Builder.

David’s expertise extends to energy saving techniques, including the Passive House Initiative, and he has worked on a range of projects encompassing both wood-frame and concrete constructions. He has extensive experience in the conversion of commercial projects, as well as new construction of multi-family , commercial, and infill townhome & single-family residential projects, handling them from concept through completion. 

 Melissa is a collaborator, an optimist, and a believer in the power of the collective. She has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for 19 years, a role which has allowed her to hone her skills in connection, effective problem-solving, and enhancing communication. She is passionate about using these skills to build relationships and communication in groups and organizations. She is the Director of Communications and Community Engagement for T5M Connect, a development company that builds multifamily housing that is environmentally sustainable, accessible, and community-oriented.

Melissa recently launched Stop, Collaborate, & Listen, Ltd. a company that provides community engagement and group facilitation support to purpose-driven organizations and companies. Current projects include: community engagement for the Braemar Baptist Church Redevelopment Project, engagement facilitation for Edmonton Regional Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC), and project management for Green Violin/Urban Matters Unconventional Actors in Affordable Housing project.

Melissa holds a Masters of Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Alberta. She has also completed a Certificate in Dialogue & Civic Engagement and a Certificate in Restorative Justice, both from Simon Fraser University. She is an active community member and volunteer and sits on the board of the North Glenora Community League and is the Chair of the board of Edmonton Youth Justice. The greatest challenge and joy of her life has been raising 3 incredible daughters with her husband, David.

The guiding principles of all that Melissa does are collaboration, iteration, and an abundance mindset. She believes that if we work together, we can tap into the brilliance that is all around us and create something greater than the sum of its parts. For more information visit: www.stopcollaborateandlisten.ca

On today’s episode, embark on a riveting journey through the heart of Edmonton's urban transformation with the Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative. In this episode, hosts Allison and Lilit are joined by key figures from the City of Edmonton, Darbi Kinnee and Lyla Peter. Together they unravel the city's efforts to create zoning regulations that work for Edmonton,  the philosophy guiding the renewal, and the collaborative efforts that engaged diverse stakeholders, including IDEA. Darbi and Lyla delve into the key shifts in the zoning bylaw, the retirement of overlays,  the introduction of mixed-use zones,  and how the new zoning bylaw allows for more dynamic and equitable city building.  Listen now and visit the links below for more information and resources discussed in the episode.

Darbi Kinnee is the Strategist for the Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative with the City of Edmonton. She is a proud alumnus of the University of Alberta's School of Urban and Regional Planning and has varied experience in both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining the Zoning Bylaw team, Darbi has honed her skills in heritage preservation, government relations, and the implementation of key strategic planning policies - including the 2018 Infill Roadmap. Fueled by a passion for urban development, Darbi has a keen interest in local planning issues, consistently seeking innovative solutions to shape more vibrant and sustainable communities.

Lyla Peter is the Director of Development Approvals and Inspections at the City of Edmonton. Her team focuses on issuing development permits and licenses, overseeing compliance activities related to zoning bylaw, lot grading, landscaping, and leading on related policies. Her role is interdisciplinary and she often collaborates with City teams like planning and development, infrastructure development, waste, community standards and housing programs. She loves working towards building a more equitable and responsive community and learning from diverse perspectives, and her fascination with community and exploring what makes them function and thrive has led to her living and working in three countries - Canada, United States, and the United Kingdom. Lyla holds a MBA in Urban Regeneration from the University of Liverpool and a BA in Regional and Urban Planning from the University of Saskatchewan. She also sits on the Habitat for Humanity Edmonton Community Advisory Council and has been a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners Planning Student Trust Foundation Jury since 2021. 

Episode Resources:

• New Zoning Bylaw webpage - edmonton.ca/ZoningBylaw 
• New Interactive ZB link - zoningbylaw.edmonton.ca 
• City Building Newsletter mailing list - Subscribe to the City Building Newsletter
• Building Edmonton mailing list - Subscribe to the Building Edmonton Newsletter
•  Zoning Bylaw 20001 Feedback Form
• Development and Construction Application Processing Times
• Service Improvements
• COE Maps

Today's guest on "In Development" is Ranon Soans. In this episode, the group delves into a thought-provoking discussion on district and city planning. "Cities are complex beings that need to live and breathe," so how do we best create plans with the understanding that they will continuously need to be amended? How do we enable what we want to see without restricting what we fear, while also providing certainty to residents and the public interest? What is the optimal balance between assessment and negotiation versus setting things in stone? Ranon also discusses the delicate balance of involving communities in the planning process to gather their perspectives and engagement, all while ensuring an efficient decision-making process to keep things moving forward. Join the conversation and listen now!

Ranon Soans is an urban planning specialist with a rigorous
understanding of planning processes and development in Alberta. Since joining
the team at Clarity Development Advisory in 2019, he has
coordinated a large variety of projects including complex rezoning
applications, public engagement efforts, and larger land use planning
proposals. Ranon’s skillful and knowledgeable proficiency in the industry is
built on diverse experiences in urban research, planning practice, and
involvement in development projects.

Ranon holds a Master’s degree in Human Geography from the
University of Alberta. He continues to be actively involved in academic
research focused on urban revitalization and affordable housing, and regularly
advocates for planning policy changes in Edmonton. Ranon is passionate about
placemaking, urban design, and sustainability transitions, and enjoys using
systematic thinking to better visualize problems and find solutions.

Today’s guest is Nicholas Rheubottom, the Executive Director of IDEA. If you have questions about IDEA or have been interested in getting involved, this is a great episode to tune into! In this episode Nicholas gives a review on the year 2023, including some big wins for IDEA and then outlines the direction of the association for the upcoming year. He also discusses district planning, zoning bylaw, and the Infill Certification Program, along with other initiatives like BE Infill. This episode has everything you need to get up to speed on all things IDEA, and discover ways to get involved next year with an exciting calendar of events coming in 2024! 

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With six years of industry experience, Nicholas understands the vital role of infill in addressing economic and environmental challenges being faced by cities today. He values his advocacy work with IDEA and the contributions he's made to educational programming for IDEA's membership and the wider infill community.

Nicholas possesses a unique educational background, holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina, a Master of Arts from the University of Alberta, and having pursued doctoral studies at King’s College London during a two-and-a-half-year stint in the UK. Despite his distinct path in the industry, he views his lived experience as an asset to his current work.

Before becoming Executive Director, Nicholas served as Co-Chair of IDEA’s Policy committee, actively engaging in projects such as the Zoning Bylaw Renewal and District Planning initiatives. Additionally, he advocates for Alberta's queer business community as Vice Chair of the Alberta LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce.

Check out the latest episode of "In Development" featuring Jason Cunha, where he shares his expertise on the infrastructure challenges in infill development. Jason discusses this topic through the lens of zoning bylaw renewal, as well as it applies to programs such as the Neighborhood Renewal and Infill Fire Protection. Later on in the episode Jason reflects on his term as IDEA President since May 2023, ruminating on the association's growth, new educational programming and the upcoming inaugural golf tournament next summer. This episode covers a range of topics from water mains to district planning to composting toilets. Don't miss out—listen now using the link in bio!

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Jason Cunha is an Associate and Project Manager at Stantec. He is a mechanical engineer and experienced project manager with a long track record of managing large scale infrastructure projects in Edmonton, with a specialty in infrastructure renewal and replacement. Prior to his current role with Stantec, he held leadership and project management roles at EPCOR Water and ATCO and brings a wealth of utility industry knowledge from his time there.

Jason’s first direct experience with the real estate development industry started in his role as Manager, Infill Development Planning and Engineering at EPCOR Water. In that role he developed an appreciation for the importance of connecting and building understanding between the land planning and engineering sides of the development process, and uses that insight both in advising clients and in working to influence the development of policy and processes within the City of Edmonton.

Jason is the current president of the Infill Development in Edmonton Association (IDEA). He joined IDEA to provide an engineering perspective and share his knowledge and expertise in all things infrastructure.

Welcome to Episode 40 of "In Development" – where urban planning meets insightful discussion! In this comeback episode, our dynamic new hosts, Lilit Houlder and Allison Rosland, bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience to the podcast.

Join Lilit and Alison as they delve into their professional backgrounds as urban planners, sharing the twists and turns that led them to the vibrant world of IDEA. From urban landscapes to the new zoning law, these hosts have seen it all and are ready to unpack current issues impacting the world of infill development.

In this episode, they explore recent developments in Edmonton's urban planning scene, dissecting the implications of the city's new zoning bylaw and the subsequent motions presented by City Council following its approval. Get ready for an insightful conversation that goes beyond the headlines, as Lilit and Alison share their thoughts on the topic and drop an exciting teaser about Episode 41, revealing their first official guest.
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Lilit is a local planner in Edmonton, working with a consulting firm, Invistec Consulting Ltd. Lilit has pursued her Masters in Urban Planning at the University of Calgary and has since worked in private and public sectors with a focus on urban design and policy. 

In her volunteering efforts, Lilit strives to advocate for equitable cities as the Co-Chair of her national organization, Women in Urbanism, by taking an intersectional approach to urban planning that focuses on people’s health and safety.

Allison is an urban planner with six years of planning consulting experience in both an urban and rural context. She began her planning career working with small urban and rural municipalities to prepare long-range future land use plans, zoning bylaws, watershed management plans and tackling the day-to-day planning challenges municipalities face. Since joining Situate in 2022, her focus has shifted to rezoning and strategic advisory services for awesome infill projects.

Allison holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta and Master of Planning from the University of Calgary’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape.

Today, Dr. Sandeep Agrawal joins In Development for a very special episode. The conversation kicks off by exploring Dr. Agrawal’s interesting journey into the Planning profession and academia. The audience learns about Dr. Agrawal’s experiences spearheading programs at two prominent Canadian universities. For the first time ever, this episode also features audience-generated questions, in which Dr. Agrawal provides his professional insight on topics such as climate, culture, equity, zoning policies and more.

Dr. Sandeep Agrawal is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. He was an Associate Chair in the department and Inaugural director of the School of Urban and Regional Planning between 2013 and 2023. During his tenure as director, he led the development of MSc Planning and PhD specialization in urban planning, and established the School in 2018. Prior to moving to the University of Alberta, he was Associate Director and Founding Graduate Program Director of the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson).

Dr. Agrawal has a diverse array of research interests that encompasses sustainable urban and rural planning, energy transition, Indigenous issues, and human rights. Among several national and international grants he has received, the most recent one is $98.6M CFREF grant, in which he is the project lead from the University of Alberta. As an accomplished author with over a hundred articles and professional reports and three books, Dr. Agrawal has contributed to planning practice and affected city bylaws and planning policies and legislation, with a lens on human rights and equity. The most recent book is entitled Rights and the City: Problems, Progress and Practice. His new book Municipal Boundary Battles will be published soon.

Dr. Agrawal is a recipient of the Canadian Institute of Planners’ national academic award for his significant contribution to planning education and research in the country.

In this episode, Ryan and Olivia sit down with Kristin Tollovsen to discuss the relationship between environmental sustainability and property development. In particular, the influence of embodied carbon, operational carbon and a building’s end of life on our climate. Kristin also highlights various industry resources available, such as educational programs, green building certifications, and free digital tools for builders and developers. Listen to the full episode to hear an environmental scientist’s unique perspective on development and why Kristin believes all stakeholders in the industry should consider a carbon life cycle analysis for existing and future projects.

Kristin Tollovsen is the Manager of Sustainability and Social Purpose at Centurion Canada Infrastructure. Kristin has a B.Sc. from UBC and over 13 years of environmental experience including roles as an Environmental Scientist and Sustainable Project Manager. Kristin has worked with sustainable building certifications, sustainable operations and policy, and life cycle analysis for buildings and is now using those skills to lead Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) initiatives and improve workplace diversity at Centurion. Kristin is the co-founder and chair of the Carbon Leadership Forum – Alberta Hub and was named one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 recipients by Edify Magazine for 2021.

In this episode of In Development, Ryan and Olivia sit down with Alessandra Bruni, Principal/Owner of ChalkMark Residential. Alessandra starts by sharing about her nuanced career journey; how her strong background, passion for unique design, and experience with diverse groups of builders and developers allowed her to create a niche in the real estate industry.

The conversation explores ChalkMark’s unique service offerings, and how Alessandra’s lens in marketing and communications sets ChalkMark apart. Tune in to the full episode to hear Alessandra speak to how travel has inspired her work, her involvement with prominent infill projects in Edmonton, as well as her role in leading the charge for infill development in Leduc. 

With over 10 years of residential experience, an insatiable amount of passion, and a desire to make a difference, ChalkMark Residential was built. Born and raised in Edmonton, Alessandra was immersed in the real estate industry at a young age. Spending weekends at showhomes collecting builder brochures and floorplans is where she first fell in love with the housing industry. Since then, she has worked with numerous builders, developers, and marketing firms. With an eye for design, a thirst for innovation, and an efficient personality, Alessandra brings her years of experience to ChalkMark Residential in the hopes of helping those around her make informed, unique decisions as it relates to the real estate industry. 

Alessandra has a bachelor’s degree in Business, along with a background in media communications, and holds an active REALTOR® license. She currently serves on multiple committees within the community, and Chairs the Urban Development Institutes, Leduc Committee. 

In this special episode of In Development, Ryan and Olivia chat with Tegan Martin-Drysdale - President of RedBrick Real Estate Services, Founder of Ocheller Homes, Co-Founder of Homestead Coworking and Co-Founder of IDEA; Chelsey Jersak - Founder and Principal of Situate and Past President of IDEA’s executive board; and Mariah Samji - previous Executive Director of IDEA.

In recognition of IDEA’s 10 Year Anniversary, Tegan, Chelsey and Mariah share their individual stories about IDEA’s beginnings, reflect on the challenges of starting a non-profit in the infill space, and celebrate the many pivotal moments of driving positive change for infill in our city and beyond.

For the first time ever, watch IDEA’s key players as they commemorate the organization’s collective achievements and speak to how you, the viewer, can be a part of driving change for people-centred communities!

As well, join us and infill community on Friday, June 23 at the IDEA 10 Year Gala! 🎉🎉🎉*Tickets available until June 19
 
Thank you to our episode sponsor: Situate. Get in touch with Situate today to find out how they can help you with your infill and urban redevelopment projects, large and small: hello@situateinc.ca.