The True Post (Web News)”Residents of Edmonton’s Crystallina Nera neighborhood say they never expected this type of development in their quiet, single-family home community. The disputed land already has eight single-family homes with basement suites, but a developer now plans to build three garden suites in each backyard, adding 24 additional units.
Homeowner Harwi Woldemichael said the project is “beyond understanding,” adding that if they had known it would be approved, they would have chosen a different street. He said residents feel deceived and ignored in decisions that will permanently change their community.
Woldemichael also raised concerns about parking shortages, warning that 40–60 extra vehicles could overcrowd streets and disrupt snow removal, garbage collection, and safety.
Ward councillor Karen Principe said she was unaware of the proposal until hearing about it from the media. She called it “a case of overdevelopment” and said it was one reason she voted against the zoning bylaw renewal due to its densification impact.
Home Alchemist Ltd., the company behind the project, has applied for development permits. CEO Amy Kim shared images of the proposed garden suites on social media, saying the project complies with the city’s rezoning policy and public consultation is not legally required. She added that the company has consulted the city on parking, fire safety, and waste management, and even provided more parking than required.
City of Edmonton has not commented despite repeated requests, but online records show most units are in the “under development review” stage.
Residents argue that this highlights a bigger issue in Edmonton families buy homes believing they’re purchasing a certain lifestyle, but later face high-density projects in their neighborhoods, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and fair planning.