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Many Edmontonians are so ticked off with the city’s new plan for lot-splitting and skinny homes that they’re talking about putting restrictive covenants on their own homes. The covenants will forever forbid their properties from being subdivided into two lots.

But are they killing a fly with a sledgehammer? That’s how it looks.

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Two skinny homes are going up across the street from my own house. I also live on a 50-plus-foot lot that can now be subdivided. The first thought that came to mind when I heard about these covenants is that I wouldn’t want to just listen to any pro-covenant neighbour on the matter, I would want legal and business advice.

For one thing, neighbours might have some facts wrong. That’s certainly the case in a pro-covenant email sent out in Capilano, Gold Bar and Fulton Place. The document warns that the new rules will allow for “3 storey houses,” but that’s not accurate. In fact, any new skinny home that goes in must be the same height as has been allowed for decades. In mature neighbourhoods, the height limit was and will continue to be 8.6 metres, says Colton Kirsop, a senior city planner. That works out to at most two or maybe 2-1/2 storeys, allowing for a small attic room.