Dozens ask development appeal board to reject big house in Mill Creek ravine

Dozens of lovers of Mill Creek ravine are urging a city development appeal board to stop a 4,300-square-foothouse from going up in the middle of the park.

More than 50 people showed up to a subdivision and development appeal board hearing Thursdayto explain why they think it's a bad idea.

"The scale of this house means you won't be able to enjoy the nature of the river valley," argued Chris Chan with the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society.

• Large home proposed for Mill Creek ravine goes to Edmonton appeal board

Chan said his organization is worried the home's driveway designed to cross the trail would be dangerous to cyclists and walkers.

"There's a greater chance and risk when you're riding on the trail," he said.

In December, the city approved an application from property owner Robert Weinrichto build the home on a lot at 9213 97th St.

The development appeal board can uphold, alter or refuse the approved building permit.If the board chooses to overturn the approval,Weinrich can take the case to the Alberta Court of Appeal.

The board did not release a decision Thursday.

Opponents of the proposed development told the board that Weinrich's ravine lot is not a suitable building site.

"This is not the place for this house to be built," Chantelle Abma told the board.

Abma lives on the south end of the ravine and uses the river valley trails to walk her dogs and go jogging.

She said the house would interfere with the outdoor experience.

"People go to green spaces because they want a clear visual corridor of the serenity."

She did her homework before presenting to the board. She quoted city policies on public engagement and active transportation.

Abma said the city didn't consult local residents. She said shefound out about the approved permit on a Facebook post.

"I thought I should have found out a different way," she said.

Pat Wishart lives in the west end but oftenuses the Mill Creek trails in warmer months.

"This ravine is a treasure," she told the board.

Wishart is part of the Wild Rose Ramblers, a walking group that will mark its 30th anniversary this year.

She quoted a bylaw from 1985 that aimsto prevent any further inappropriate development in the river valley.

"It seems the city has taken a step backwards," Wishart said.

She worries if the development is allowed, more will go up in other parks in the city.

The lot's history

The previous house burned down in 2007. The city tried to expropriate the land but was unsuccessful. And when it had a chance to buy the property, the city thought the asking price was too high.

"It was a much, much, more modest house that really fit better with the environment," Chan said of the house that burned.

Ward 8 Coun. Ben Henderson said he regretsthe city didn't buy the lot when it had a chance.

At the time, city officials thought the price was higher than what it was worth.

"I think it would have been good to have a conversation about the city's interests there," Hendersonsaid. "That didn't happen."

He said if the board refuses to allow Weinrich to build his desired home, the city may be interested in buying the lot.

Edmonton has changed

"This site is not suburbia," Peigi Rockwell with the Strathcona community league told the board. "This site is natural park land."

Many echoed that sentiment.

"Edmonton has changed and we've learned the value of nature in our River Valley," Chan said.

"If you ask people, what's the best thing about living in Edmonton? It's going to be the river valley."

• Maintaining Edmonton's river valley trails will cost millions, report shows

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