Fir Street Development
Project History
In fall 2022, Strathcona County awarded Heartland Housing Foundation the parcel of land known as the former Clover Bar Lodge site on Fir Street. The intended use of the land, per the County's Expression of Interest, is to continue providing intergenerational near-market housing options for the community.
To realize this vision, the site required rezoning from its current use of Public Services (PS) to a Direct Control (DC) district.
The Land Use Amendment application was submitted to Strathcona County in fall 2023 and was approved in spring 2024.
In summer 2024 Heartland Housing Foundation received updated pricing for the proposed design that required a revision to the site plan removing the underground parkade and the townhomes that were scheduled for the second phase of development.
What is happening at Fir Street now?
Heartland Housing Foundation (HHF) has asked to change the zoning of the land so that the development can be as efficient as possible while meeting the needs of the community. The application for the zoning amendment has been submitted, and a Public Hearing will be scheduled and advertised through the Sherwood Park News by the County’s administration.
Why does the zoning need to be changed?
The zoning needs to be changed for two reasons: parking and building height.
- Parking: The current zoning says that parking must be both above and below ground. But underground parking is now more expensive because of higher material costs and challenges with the land itself. HHF can provide enough parking above ground but needs the zoning change to do that.
- Building Height: The current maximum building height is 16 meters, which limits how many units can fit on the land. Our agreement with the County requires at least 90 units, so we need to raise the height limit to 19 meters to fit enough units. This increase in height will be most visible from Willow and Fir Streets, and only applies to any structure over 20m away from the property line shared with homes on Cedar Street.
How can the parking all be above ground?
Originally, the plan was to build 20 two-story townhomes near the homes on Cedar Street. Now, those townhomes are no longer part of the plan, and the area will be used for parking and green spaces to separate the parking from the nearby homes.
What else has changed about the building’s design?
When we talked to the community in 2023, people were concerned about how a large building would fit into the neighborhood. In response, we’ve adjusted the design so the building will be placed further into the site. This also helps improve traffic flow and creates more space for landscaping and green areas. You can view the proposed design at the bottom of this page.
What are the next steps?
There will be a Public Hearing where our zoning request will be discussed. The Hearing date will be advertised through the Sherwood Park News by the County once it is finalized. If Strathcona County Council approves the change, we’ll move forward with architectural work and try to secure funding. If we get enough funding, we plan to start work on the site, including tearing down the old Clover Bar Lodge, in late 2025.
Who do I contact with more questions?
If you have questions about the development, you can contact us at development@heartlandhousing.ca
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