In its regular meeting last week, Edson town council received public comments regarding a proposed Land Use Bylaw amendment that would allow Reflections to apply to expand its services.
A public hearing was held for Bylaw No. 2329, which would amend the Land Use Bylaw to rezone 4920 1 Avenue, the Reflections lot, from a Commercial Service (C2) District to a Direct Control Open (DC O) District.
Reflections is an adult drop-in centre that provides basic services, like snacks, showers, laundry and social activities, to residents facing mental health or housing challenges. At the public hearing, Anne Auriat, a Reflections representative, stated, “It is a really safe, nice, welcoming place, and we should be proud — and we are — of our location and our program.”
The proposed redistricting would enable Reflections to explore a service expansion, as the facility is not a permitted use in C2 Districts. Under a DC O distinction, it could submit a development permit for the expansion, which council would act as the development authority for.
If the zoning change and subsequent development permit are approved, Reflections plans to increase its service window to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The organization recently applied for provincial funding, which outlines 24-7 services as a requirement to be a recipient. Under its current development approval, Reflections is restricted to daytime services and can only take in clients overnight when temperatures reach -25 C with wind chill. It is also subject to a host of other conditions, which the town says Reflections has fully complied with.
Multiple community members shared their thoughts at the hearing, both in support and opposition.
Wayne Iwaschuk, who said he owns multiple properties near the parcel in question, expressed concerns about community safety and financial stability in the downtown core. He also addressed the lack of clarity that comes with DC O zones, as permitted uses are not listed or predictable, but rather entirely up to council.
A homeowner on 6 Avenue, Jackie Robinson, said she “wholeheartedly” opposes the rezoning and potential service expansion, also for safety issues.
“Edson used to be a place I was proud to call home. It is not anymore,” she said.
Tara Thompson is a user of Reflections services and spoke in support of the application. Thompson said that about four months ago, she sold her belongings and bought an RV with the intention of heading to the B.C. coast. Unfortunately, she broke down in Edson and has been struggling to get back on the road since.
“I would be dead without Reflections,” she stated. She also said that overnight services would be beneficial to Reflections clients, as “The wait from 5 p.m. to 10 in the morning is incredibly hard.”
Resident Janet Wilkinson also supported the application. She said Reflections gives their clients a safe and clean space to access during the day as an alternative to loitering near businesses.
Representatives of Legacy Petroleum expressed their support for current Reflections operations, but were concerned about the proposed expansion. They said they’ve had their property and equipment vandalized multiple times, to the point where they’ve adjusted their daily processes.
“We try to be good neighbours and we’ve never spoken out publicly in the past, but we are honestly becoming increasingly exhausted by the impact to our business and the mental health and well-being of our employees,” representatives stated.
Ole Nodeland, who is also a local business owner, said he supports Reflections’ presence in the community, but not at its current location. He said he had planned to rent a building across the alley from Reflections, but has changed his mind due to these possible service expansions.
A written submission from Edson Logo shared a similar sentiment, but proposed a vacant building east of the hospital, which the Alberta government reportedly owns, as an alternative location. The company also cited safety concerns from employees, who regularly interact with clients seeking a washroom or loitering in the area.
“We do realize the need for Reflections. Hopefully this is a solution for all of us,” it said.
Edson Enforcement Services said only two community peace officer interactions have been needed since Reflections began operating these services in 2024: once, for someone sleeping in an alleyway, and a second time for a similar call. Edson RCMP members also report only eight calls regarding Reflections in 2025, ranging from well-being checks to suspicious persons inquiries. Police say only one incident may have had a factor of violence. Officers did acknowledge, however, that upon speaking with businesses in the area, it appears that multiple incidents are not being reported.
The rezoning application will return to council for a decision in a future regular meeting.
