The Dunluce Experiment

“She went looking for the solution
To a problem that did not exist
She found an answer, and found some friends there
Consciousness raising as a social tool.”
— The Pursuit of Happiness, “Consciousness Raising as a Social Tool.”

On the surface, it feels like a boring story about sidewalks being widened and roads being repaved.

But, the neighbourhood and alley renewal that’s scheduled for the Dunluce community has become a downright nasty battle between residents and City Hall. And, make no mistake, people who live in this north-side residential neighbourhood feel like they’re guinea pigs.

“Do we feel like we’re being experimented on? We all do,” says Janina Syrnyk, the chairperson of the awesomely named Stop the Destruction of Dunluce Committee.

The committee was formed last year after residents felt that city planners and councillors weren’t hearing their concerns over the revitalization plan, which includes the widening of sidewalks, planting trees on boulevards and the installation of bike lanes throughout the major streets in the community. Instead of listing all the streets, we’ve attached the project map as per the most recent City of Edmonton documents.

“You’re not listening to us,” Syrnyk said of the City. “And you don’t see how we live our lives.”

So, why has a petition asking for the City to reconsider this neighbourhood renewal earned more than 700 signatures? And why, when the committee members went door-to-door in Dunluce, did they only hear from 28 residents who were supportive of the City’s plan, as is? Well, there’s the argument that bike lanes will reduce street parking. The narrowed roads will be more congested. And Syrnyk said the shared streets will cause grief for the bus drivers trying to get through the neighbourhood.

“Why do we need narrower roads?” said Syrnyk, pointing to the plan that reduces the street space to allow for wider sidewalks and bike paths. “Doing all of this ignores the fact we live in a winter city, in a neighbourhood where there aren’t a lot of people catching transit to go to work.”

Sure, there will be urbanists who will point to the arguments about reduced street parking and narrower streets as pure suburban NIMBYism. The truth is, the arguments are more complex than that. And, even City Council is having some second thoughts about the neighbourhood renewal strategy; the Urban Planning Committee will be debating the Complete Streets Design Policies Standards and Guidelines, after Coun. (and mayoral candidate) Tim Cartmell moved that it was time to take some sober second thought.

Why the debate? In the Dunluce plan, there are 18 different guiding principles, from the Snow and Ice Control to the Green Network Strategy to Winter City Strategy to even the Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy. Each on its own is a pretty noble thing.

But, put them together, and they can antagonize each other. For example, utilities call for trees to be moved, so the roots won’t interfere with the lines and pipes. But the forestry strategy calls for more trees to be planted. The Active Transportation plan has a goal: That half of Edmonton’s population take methods other than their personal vehicles to get to work. So, that means bike lanes. But there’s also a road safety measure that says bike lanes can’t cross driveways. And that means putting bike lanes in residential areas is messy.

“It’s like one hand doesn’t know what the other hand is doing,” said Syrnyk — and this is why she feels like the experimentation analogy works.

BILD Edmonton Metro, which advocates for sensible community growth and represents homebuilders and developers, will be present at Tuesday’s meeting.

BILD CEO Kalen Anderson said that these at-cross purposes standards are being placed on both new suburban developments and the revitalizations of mature communities like Dunluce. And she said it’s time for Council to shepherd a common-sense approach.

“Too many cooks,” says Anderson. “It’s like going to a restaurant, and there are 45 things on the menu. You probably are going to order just three things, not take little bites out of 45 different menu items.

“You can’t have everything all at once.”

She says BILD’s members are frustrated with the current framework, simply because it puts dogma over common sense. For sure, sidewalks need to be wide enough to handle wheelchairs and other mobility devices. But, to handle two wheelchairs going past each other? Instead, as Anderson asked, why not sink money into better snow clearing of bike lanes and sidewalks? After all, when they go days and days with being covered with snow and ice, they’re impassable.

Though Cartmell’s motion is the reason this is back in front of council, Syrnyk is cynical of his motives. She said the feelings throughout the committee are clear — each and every existing member of council needs to be voted out.

“Where was he when our concerns were first brought up?”