Situate
202, 10526 Jasper Ave. NW Edmonton, AB, Canada

Ok, we know this seems like an easy question, but it can actually be surprisingly tough to determine exactly what is, and what is not, a corner lot. Take a guess and scroll down for the answer ... If you guessed D, you got it! Sometimes lots that corner lots aren’t actually corner lots, by definition, while other lots that don’t look like corner lots, are in fact corner lots. It’s important to know which is which because some zoning regulations only apply to corner lots, especially when it comes to setbacks in the small scale zones. As always, if you need help deciphering those regulations, visit: situateinc.ca

We’re so proud of this project for paving the way for creative, adaptive reuse of one of Edmonton’s most unique buildings! Earlier this year, Situate managed the project strategy, rezoning and infill fire protection assessment processes for the former Earth Mother Temple to allow the building to be reinvented as a medical clinic. The repurposing of the building will not only add an essential service to the mature neighbourhood of Westmount, but will retain a local landmark... while saving energy and resources. Definitely a win-win-win.

Earlier this week Chelsey had a great conversation with Vivian Manasc, Alkarim Devani and Chris Dulaba during the #BuildingsWeek panel, ‘How do we Plan, Design and Develop the Next Wave of Infill Projects in Alberta?’ A big focus of the conversation was the business case for repurposing and reimagining existing commercial and office buildings, giving them new purpose and a greener life. We were really inspired by the benefits of adaptive reuse, which can make old, ‘unlovely...’ buildings more sustainable, more beautiful, more comfortable to live and work inside, and more inviting and lively on the street and sidewalk. All this for less financial and environmental cost than tearing down and building new! : Brandon Erlinger-Ford

Another client rezoning success! Radnus Developments, longtime owner of a 1960s apartment building just off 99 Street in Strathcona, decided to explore potential redevelopment options as their building began to approach the end of its lifecycle. Our team did what we do best, strategizing a technical rezoning plan and supporting the project from start to finish by coordinating a market study, preliminary design, community engagement, engineering reports and government rel...ations. We're thrilled to say that the site was successfully rezoned to the RA8 medium rise apartment zone with unanimous approval from Edmonton City Council earlier this month, without debate or opposition. The new mid-rise building will conform to Edmonton's plan to densify nodes and corridors, and will provide the Strathcona neighbourhood with new, high quality, community-oriented housing. We’re very proud to have played a role in this city building story!

There’s no denying that things are changing in the world of Alberta real estatejoin us as we talk about that change, in depth, during this year’s virtual edition of BUILDEX Shows Alberta. Our founder and principal, Chelsey Jersak, will be moderating a panel on how we plan, design and develop the next wave of infill projects on Monday, November 30 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. mountain time. The event is 100% virtual, so register today and come join the conversation! https://www.thebuildingsshow.com/en/home.html

Next week: save the date! Our founder and principal, Chelsey Jersak, will be lending her insights to Athabasca University's virtual "Building to Thrive" panel on November 25th at noon (mountain time) to discuss the importance of physical, emotional, and mental safety in our housing and built environment. Register for free: https://zoom.us//regi/tJwlc-GrpzkpGdB8CA6Z_ysHoOaXIlmWXiuX ... Join Chelsey and four other expert speakers in tackling questions like: What does building to thrive and creating safe spaces mean, especially as it pertains to not only physical safety, but emotional safety? What are some of the barriers that prevent people from thriving? How can we implement safe spaces in our lives? We hope to see you there!

Sometimes, we just have to go back to basics. There’s no way to escape itwherever you are or wherever you want to build something in the City, there’s a zone that applies to you! At the most basic level, zones are meant to separate incompatible land uses, or in other words, to protect people and homes from dangerous and possibly conflicting land uses (like industrial development). Zones also control the mass of buildings (size, height), as well as what can take place wit...hin those buildings. Want to learn more about zoning, or have a lot that you’re interested in rezoning? We can help with that! Learn more about our rezoning services: https://situateinc.ca/services/

What’s YOUR vision? If it’s related to infill and urban redevelopment, we've got you covered. Situate brings single-minded focus to rezoning, development, and subdivision support for awesome infill, brownfield, and mixed-use projects in the City of Edmonton. Check us out! www.situateinc.ca

At Situate, we’re very strong believers in the importance of permanent supportive housing, and we’re big champions of the work of the Right at Home Housing Society in providing affordable housing with wrap-around support services to vulnerable Edmontonians. Over the last few years, we’ve had the good fortune of supporting several of Right at Home’s strategic initiatives, including organizational visioning in 2016, strategic business planning in 2019, and creating a new grow...th strategy in 2020. Our approach to facilitation and strategic planning draws on design thinking and creative problem solving methodology, which, in our experience, leads to deep engagement and a high degree of ownership over the end results. To find out more about Right at Home and our work with them, visit: https://situateinc.ca/project/right-at-home/

Another client rezoning win! This story’s about Metro Enterprises Ltd., who had their rezoning application unanimously approved by the City of Edmonton Council last month. Metro acquired a lot in the beautiful mature neighbourhood of Avonmore with the intention of adding a small scale, high quality row housing development at an attainable price pointjust steps away from the future Avonmore LRT stop. ... Situate managed the rezoning process from the RF1 single detached residential zone to the RF3 small scale infill development zone, and worked hard to make the journey from application to approval as smooth as humanly possible. The design concept for the future building is inspired by the architectural style of the Rocky Mountain Town of Banff, and we can’t wait to see it come to life! Learn more about the scope of work: https://situateinc.ca//metro-enterprises-rezoning-for-sma/

Congratulations to our founder, principal, and fearless leader Chelsey Jersak, who was featured in Edify Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2020! #top40yeg We appreciate her leadership, passion, and commitment to making Edmonton a better, more vibrant and energetic place. As much as we love infill, we know there’s so much more to building a great city, and we’re so proud of what Chelsey has accomplished on that front. In addition to her work with Situate, Chelsey was a fou...nding member of the Child-Friendly Housing Coalition of Alberta, which successfully lobbied the government of Alberta to change human rights legislation, paving the way for more child friendly housing, and Ludic Zouk, a dance studio dedicated to forging community connections through partner dance. Read more about her https://edifyedmonton.com/people/top-40/2020/chelsey-jersak/

Today is our team member InGi Kim’s birthday! We’d like to take this opportunity to express some words of appreciation and say a big thank you for all that he does (and his awesome attitude as he does it)! InGi joined Situate at the beginning of this roller coaster of a year, and he’s been a pleasure to work with ever since. InGi holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and a post-graduate certificate in interdisciplinary design strategy, and he recently finished his... master’s degree in environmental studies in planning. His multi-disciplinary background equips him with wicked skills in urban design and planning, spatial analytics, public engagement, graphic design and project management. InGi supports all aspects of Situate’s projects, including zoning analyses, modelling and site plan scenarios, rezoning rationales, presentations for public hearings, subdivision and development appeal board hearings and more. Thank you for all that you do, InGi, and for being so pleasant to work with, and so passionate about building vibrant communities throughout Edmonton! Happy Birthday!

The terms "infill" and "brownfield" are often used interchangeably, but they aren't the same things. While both refer to redevelopment in existing areas of the city, and both contribute to the revitalization of neighbourhoods, brownfield sites specifically refer to properties that may be contaminated by hazardous substances or pollutants. Because of this, brownfield projects are often a source of frustration. If you’ve got one on your hands and you’re wondering where to start, feel free to reach out: https://situateinc.ca/contact/