City staff supports two towers

Rezoning needed for large buildings

The downtown Edmonton skyline might be getting an addition if city council agrees with the city’s support for two highrise mixed-use buildings.

A proposed development with towers of 56 storeys and 48 storeys is on the table for the northeast corner of 104 Street and 100 Avenue, offering 700 residential units.

The proposed Falcon Towers by Langham Developments Ltd. would also include a two-storey commercial podium, at least 29 family-oriented three-bedroom units and a public courtyard.

But first the proposal will have to face a public hearing with the intention to amend the zoning bylaw in the area.

The site is in a commercial mixed-use zone — home to a large parking lot — allowing for development up to 29 storeys. The proposed site-specific development zone (DC2) would bring the potential height to 56 storeys.

The city’s planning department said it is in favour of the rezoning application in a report to council because it will increase residential density and subsequently support businesses in the area with increased housing units.

“While the proposed development would be a substantial increase in development intensity at this location, the DC2 provision ensures that development is complementary to the existing neighbourhood,” the city report reads.

But the city noted the planned space between the two towers is less than the standard 25-metre requirement, with 20 metres proposed between the north and larger south tower.

While the separation distance is “substandard,” the city noted the towers are offset from one another, providing additional separation and privacy.

The report also noted the north tower would be tight to adjacent properties, but this complication is “deemed acceptable for the development of a large surface parking site.”

Edmonton-based Langham Developments is also the company behind the Fox and Icon Towers.

The rezoning bylaw will be before council at a public hearing Oct. 10.