Rezoning for Student Housing at St. John’s Institute
Campus Assets Inc.
"The Situate Team shepherded our proposal through the zoning process effectively and efficiently. More importantly, they presented themselves like an extension of our organization. They treated the file as if it were their development and all stakeholders with respect so no matter the outcome, we had options. We welcome the opportunity to work with them again on future projects."
Rezoning for Student Housing at St. John’s Institute
Campus Assets Inc.
Challenge
Campus Assets Inc., the innovative development arm of Alignvest Student Housing, aimed to redevelop the St. John’s Institute site on Whyte Avenue in Garneau to create new student housing. The challenge was to find a rezoning strategy that would allow for a complete redevelopment of the site while balancing the needs of the surrounding community and considering its prime location near the University of Alberta.
Approach
In 2021, Campus Assets brought Situate on board to lead the rezoning process. We conducted a detailed analysis of Edmonton’s Zoning Bylaw 12800 and identified the CB3 (commercial mixed business) zone as the ideal fit for the redevelopment, with adjustments made to the Main Streets Overlay to suit the project’s scope. Beyond zoning, Situate managed all stakeholder relationships, including government, municipal authorities, and the local community. Our engagement strategy included custom signage, direct mail campaigns, a dedicated project webpage, and a virtual open house to ensure transparency and keep stakeholders informed and involved throughout the process.
Outcome
On April 5, 2022, Edmonton City Council approved the rezoning application with a strong vote of 12-1. This decision set the stage for the complete redevelopment of St. John’s Institute into a new student housing hub, meeting the growing demand for student accommodation in the area.
If You’re Building More Housing, You Deserve a Smooth Approval
Our cities need more housing, and we don’t think anything should stand in the way. Book a call and let’s map the fastest path to yes.
