Some residents in the Glenridding Heights neighbourhood in southwest Edmonton are against a plan to develop the new subdivision park into a public school.

Nancy Castillo bought a home last year, and in January, she moved in with her husband and their daughters, ages nine and 11.

The park was a big factor in their purchase. Castillo said she paid a premium to have her backyard overlook the park.

"It was a very good price, a very nice view and the school [the one her daughters attend] is very close," said Castillo.

But the park faces a rezoning proposal to turn it into the site of a kindergarten to Grade 6 elementary school, and for a part of it to remain a park.

The part of the park in Glenridding Heights that is facing rezoning. (Travis McEwan/CBC )

It's the only wide-open park in the neighbourhood, and Castillo doesn't want it to be made smaller. She also worries that a school will lower the property value when she sells in the near future.

"People don't like to live very close to a school. Why? Because there's more traffic, pollution and it's noisy. It's not fun to have the school very close."

700 notices went out

She's not the only one, but it doesn't appear hers is a majority opinion.

After 700 notices were sent out to the neighbourhood, the city received six other responses from residents who were opposed to losing park space to the proposed school.

Part of the park currently has a soccer field and playground. (Travis McEwan/CBC)

Beatrice McMillan, a senior planner with the city, said Edmonton Public Schools requested the site be rezoned for an elementary school.

"As there is development it's important to recognize development patterns, and as the need arises they determined that an additional school is needed to service the area," McMillan said.

This is the early stages for the proposal. The land use has already passed first reading at a public hearing, but the rezoning approval has yet to go to council.

It's expected within the next three to six months. Residents will be given the opportunity to voice their opinions on the rezoning proposal.

travis.mcewan@cbc.ca