Update on New Planning Policies Impacting Heritage
The Guidebook for Great Communities and the North Hill Communities Local Area Plan, the pilot multi-community plan for the new Guidebook, will come before City Council for approval on March 22, 2021. These documents will shape future planning for redevelopment of our mature communities. Together with newly approved policies for heritage, this approach to planning represents a leap forward in community place-making. It will help realize a more sustainable future for the City,
This new approach to area planning divides the city into some 42 districts, each tasked with the creation of an area plan that enables population growth in balance with heritage retention and that sense-of-place that defines “home”. Residents and other community stakeholders have a critical voice in the creation of these plans. They will help decide where added density will go and what that means for an evolving streetscape. The Guidebook incorporates new Heritage Conservation Tools and Incentives approved in July 2020, however, the new heritage policies have not yet been applied to the North Hill Local Area Plan (although the eligible residential blocks have been mapped). This is concerning.
CHI, in collaboration with Calgarians for Heritage Districts, submitted a “long list” of heritage-related items to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning and Urban Development on Feb 3, 2021. That committee recommended that City Council approve the Guidebook and North Hill LAP on March 22. We continue to reach out to City Administration and Councillors with our concerns (some of which have been addressed) and are carefully considering their responses.
Our DRAFT concerns and suggestions to improve these documents can be viewed here. Our "Asks" of City Council will continue to be refined up to the public hearing on March 22.
What you can do:
Send an email by March 15th 2021 to publicsubmissions@calgary.ca and state that you support the suggestions and concerns submitted by CHI and CFHD.
Subject Header: March 22, 2021 Combined Meeting of Council, Guidebook and North Hill LAP. Please cc contact@calgaryheritage.org.
Submit letters on specific topics through www.HeritageInspiresYYC.org and explore the Public Policy Tab for more information on planning policies that impact heritage. Sample letters are provided for your convenience - it only takes a minute!
Email or call your Councillorwith your specific comments.
Register to speak (virtual call-in) at the public hearing at the Combined Meeting of Coty Council on March 22. The agenda will be published at this linkon March 18.
CHI's virtual AGM was held in October and our new board transitioned in January. CHI is pleased to announce that Chris Edwards (pictured here leading a heritage tour) is our new President. Chris was one of the founding members of CHI back in 2005. Chris is renown for his "Top 10 Endangered Heritage Places in Calgary". He continues to serve as Chair of CHI's Heritage Watch/Policy committee.
Chris replaces Rick Williams who served as President since 2017. We thank Rick for his inspiring leadership and dedication to advancing heritage policy in Calgary. Rick will continue to serve on the board as Past President.
Micky Gulless, our Treasurer extraordinaire since 2016, has been replaced by Madison Kitts.
Elicia Cantafio is continuing in the role of Secretary.
Continuing directors are: Karen Paul (Communications), Lindae Stokes (Advocacy), Sarah Ebbern (Research), and Olivia Breytenbach (Social Media).
CHI was delighted to welcome new board members in 2020: Stephanie Lope (Events), Tarra Drevet (lead on Heritage Inspires YYC), Kamran Dadi (Membership) and Steve Gilks (a mason and Director at Large).
The role of Vice President is currently vacant.
Heritage Watch
Existing city policy at the time of application has allowed for the approval of the redevelopment of a rare, intact, all-brick, multi-family blockface on 2nd St SW in the Beltline.
To date, one-off designation has been the main protection available, but only about 100 buildings are designated in Calgary and none of the buildings on this block have been designated.
Blockface and district policies are needed to conserve neighbourhood heritage areas like these. Unfortunately, the loss of the Rossmore Apartments and Martin Home may limit the new protections available to the adjacent Alexandra Terrace (1907) because the blockface will no longer be intact.
See Chris Edward's latest Heritage Watch video here.
City of Calgary Current Engagement Opportunities: Local Area Plans, Stephen Avenue, and More!
These multi-community local area plans will shape the future of Calgary's Communities. Get involved and speak-up for heritage!
West Elbow Communities (Area 2 & 3) - Altadore, Bankview, Cliff Bungalow, Elbow Park, Erlton, Garrison Woods, Lower Mount Royal, Mission, North Glenmore Park (north of Glenmore Trail SW), Richmond (east of Crowchild Trail SW), Rideau Park, Roxboro, Scarboro (east of Crowchild Trail SW), South Calgary, Sunalta and Upper Mount Royal. Engagement is relaunching soon.
Riley Communities (Area 4) - Sunnyside, Hillhurst, West Hillhurst and Hounsfield Heights - Briar Hill. Engagement is relaunching soon.
Heritage Communities (Area 31) – Eagle Ridge, Kelvin Grove, Kingsland, Fairview, Haysboro, Acadia, Southwood, Willow Park, Maple Ridge and Chinook Park. Note: The name of this multi-community plan refers to communities located around Heritage Drive. This planning area is not inclusive of Calgary’s historic (heritage) communities.
Westbrook Communities (Area 10) – Wildwood, Spruce Cliff, Westgate, Rosscarrock, Shaganappi, Glendale, Killarney/ Glengarry, Glenbrook and the portions of Upper Scarboro/Sunalta West and Richmond that are west of Crowchild Trail.
Defining the direction of Stephen Avenue/8 Avenue S.W. in the short, medium and long-term. The future of Stephen Avenue
The City, together with the Chinatown community, are working to create the first cultural plan and a new Local Area Plan for Chinatown. Tomorrow's Chinatown
Ongoing (not open for engagement at this time)
Start or renew your membership today!
You can help preserve Calgary's heritage simply by becoming a member for only $10/year! You will be supporting CHI's advocacy and awareness activities and events. Your membership entitles you to a vote at CHI's AGM
For the ambitious, there are a number of ways to engage or volunteer and there are no prerequisites for membership.
Now in its 16th year, CHI is a grassroots membership organization dedicated to the preservation, productive use, and interpretation of buildings and sites of historic and architectural interest in Calgary. We are volunteers who love heritage and want to share that with fellow Calgarians and future generations.
Further information about CHI and our activities is available on our website at www.calgaryheritage.org. It has many great features like Fact Sheets about our most watched buildings at risk of demolition, heritage issues, resources and upcoming events. Don’t forget to join us on social media for all of our latest updates and timely conversations.
