The City of Calgary has started a MAJOR update of the statutory plans governing planning and development for Calgary. The Municipal Development Plan has recently been updated, and starting in 2021 and continuing for the next several years, the City will implement Local Area Plans (“LAP”) to replace all existing Area Redevelopment Plans and other statutory plans which regulate planning and development at the community level. This is the most significant and extensive planning update ever carried out by the City.
LAPs have been completed or are in progress for a variety of groups of communities, including North Hill, Westbrook and Heritage. Heritage, for example, includes our neighbours to the South (Kelvin Grove, Eagle Ridge, Chinook Park, Kingsland, Haysboro, Southwood, Willow Park, Maple Ridge, Acadia, and Fairview; and, three Industrial Communities (Fairview Industrial, East Fairview Industrial, and Glendeer Business Park).
And now, it’s our turn. The City has launched the process for the CHINOOK COMMUNITIES, which are Bel-Aire, Britannia, Elboya, Manchester, Mayfair, Meadowlark Park, Parkhill, Windsor Park, the southern portion of Manchester Industrial, and a small eastern portion of Glenmore Park.
The City has been in contact with Mayfair Bel-Aire Community Association (MBCA), and we have already met with City Planners to carry out a walk-through of our two communities to identify unique features, areas of interest, and issues of concern. Pending approval of the MBCA Board of Directors, Peter Collins (incoming Director, Planning & Development) has been designated as the primary representative of MBCA, with Jeff Hyde (President, MBCA) as backup.
The City is seeking community input, as part of the process to create a Local Area Plan for the Chinook Communities, to guide the evolution of these communities over the next 30 years. The local area plan will provide guidance and direction when ideas for new development, investment and community improvement are proposed or considered within this area in the future.
Why do we need to plan for growth, change and redevelopment?
Change will happen with or without a plan in place to guide it. There’s a stage in each community’s life cycle when the rate of change starts to increase—generally as homes and buildings reach 50+ years old and the choice to rebuild or redevelop becomes more common.
Creating a plan to guide change increases predictability and certainty about how an area might evolve over time. A local area plan will help inform decisions about new development, investment and community improvements (such as enhancements to public spaces). This is the first of many opportunities to get involved and provide input.
Phase 1: ENVISION
Through this first phase of engagement (April 18 – May 23), the City is discussing the following:
- PAST: what is important for people to know about the area’s history.
- PRESENT: opportunities and challenges that exist within the area today.
- FUTURE: what’s important to you and for future generations when thinking about how the area could evolve
What can you do to get involved?
- Learn more and provide input online at calgary.ca/Chinook.
- Check your mailbox for an engagement booklet. Each engagement booklet includes additional information and a feedback form that can be mailed in (prepaid postage included).
- Attend an in-person or virtual engagement session—check out the schedule online at calgary.ca/Chinook (or see below)
- Apply to join the Chinook Communities Working Group if you’re interested in getting involved at a deeper level—details online at calgary.ca/Chinook.
Apply to join the Chinook Communities Working Group
We need Mayfair and Bel-Aire residents to join the Communities Working Group. Are you passionate about helping shape your community for you and future generations? Are you interested in working with fellow citizens, community association members, local builders/developers and City Planners to discuss growth and change in the Chinook Communities?
The Working Group includes people from a range of backgrounds who provide feedback, consider input provided by the broader community, and discuss concepts and ideas with City Planners as the local area plan is created. The working group will participate in approximately eight to nine focused workshops over two years.
We’re looking for a broad and diverse range of people to join the working group, including: Local residents—owners and renters, people of all ages—from youth and young professionals to seniors, local business owners, members of community-based groups, and more.
Don’t be shy, apply at calgary.ca/Chinook by May 23, 2023. And, please let us (MBCA know if you’ve applied)
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SCHEDULE
In-person Engagement Session
- Tuesday, May 2 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Meadowlark Park Community Association (623 58th S.W.)
- Registration not required. Drop in anytime between 6-8:30 p.m.
Virtual Sessions
- Tuesday, May 9 from 7-8:30 p.m. Registration is required – REGISTER HERE.
- Monday, May 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. Registration is required – REGISTER HERE.
Provide feedback online or through a mailed engagement booklet by May 23, 2023.
CLOSING NOTE
Mayfair and Bel-Aire residents – the LAP process is the most significant planning and development event to affect our communities since the Glenmore Elbow Interchange project in the early 2000s. We need your participation and engagement; you can’t expect us (Peter and Jeff) to do this alone.
We will be providing regular updates on the LAP process. If you are not a member of MBCA, we strongly encourage you to become a member, because our reporting to members will be substantially greater than to non-members.
Please contact either Peter Collins or Jeff Hyde for more information.
