INTRODUCING THE WESTMOUNT COVENANT INITIATIVE

Dear Homeowner, 

We are reaching out to you regarding an important matter that concerns the future development of our single-family home neighbourhood in Westmount. 

As you may be aware, the City of Edmonton has introduced multiplex development on residential streets, and it is having a significant impact on our neighbourhood.  Several lots are being purchased for 8 to 10 unit apartment buildings in the middle of a block and on corners.

Some lots have been bought under the false pretense of building a single-family home and then permitted as an 8-unit apartment building with 20 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms.  Several multiplex buildings are now under construction on 123rd, 130th street and 132nd street and elsewhere in Westmount between Villa Avenue and 111th avenue. 

While change and growth is natural, many of us share concerns about how these buildings will impact the character of our neighbourhood. Traffic congestion, parking congestion, noise, privacy, water pressure problems, sewer overflow and property devaluation are some of the issues experienced by other neighbourhoods, like Belgravia.  

We started the Westmount Covenant Initiative in September 2025 to counteract this type of speculative development while staying within the parameters of the new Zoning Bylaw.  In October 2025 more than 100 homeowners signed the covenant prepared by Reynolds Mirth Richards Farmer LLP (RMRF), and we have just entered phase 2 of the initiative with the purpose of increasing coverage throughout Westmount. 

The Westmount Covenant Initiative invites homeowners to participate in the covenant to stop the further development of multiplex buildings in our neighbourhood.  The Covenant is registered on land title and protects the long-term integrity of our home and garden neighbourhood.  

Phase 1 of the Initiative was very successful.  The Covenant Volunteer Team did a great job in raising awareness of the Initiative and more than 400 homeowners expressed interest in learning more about the Covenant.  The Homeowners Information Session held on September 25 at the St Andrew’s Centre Auditorium was attended by more than 250 homeowners.

Westmount is not alone in undertaking this type of initiative.  Other mature neighbourhoods like Glenora, Crestwood, Aspen Gardens and Laurier are actively engaged in a similar covenant process and most newer communities, like Cameron Heights, for example, were developed and built with covenants in place at the request of the City of Edmonton. 

We have a fantastic Covenant Volunteer Team in place, including legal representation from RMRF Law, and volunteers working on the Westmount Covenant website, the Lawn Sign, News Bulletins, Flyers, Text Management, Facebook announcements and publications as well as professional meeting management (live and on Zoom),

The Westmount Covenant will preserve the unique character of our neighbourhood for several generations to come.  Team members are ready to speak directly with homeowners in your area.  Email us to participate.

With Kind Regards,  

Westmount Covenant Team 

westmountcovenant@gmail.com