As you know, we have been working on the infill scoping report. We now know the direction that they want to take this report but we do not know the specifics i.e. outcomes, timeline and etc. In general, the City would like to take a comprehensive or a big picture approach to addressing the themes of the 11 items identified at the April 24th Council Meeting. At the December 13th PUD meeting, The City will present a “framework or strategy report for the next steps that would lead to options for changes to policy and regulatory tools that implement desired long term outcomes for infill development”.
(The City will present an engagement framework that will help them understand how community/Industry would like to see these challenges solved from a holistic point of view. Engagement questions that could be explored include: “What is neighbourhood character? What role does infill play?what is sensitive or respectful development?” Following the engagement, they will identify options to addressing these challenges which may be policy or process based.)
This is a long term project and the challenges we are hoping to address will take place over the next few years
We want to engage with you on your concerns if the City is to take this approach. There are a few ways to get in touch with us:
“What are your concerns with a comprehensive approach?”
- Phone us (403)244.4111 and ask for either Carrie or Ben
- Email us Carrie (engageinplanning@calgarycommunities.com) or Ben (planning@calgarycommunities.com)
- Talk to us in person
- October 14th at the Partners in Planning Session at Winston Heights Mountview (12-1 pm)
- November 4th at the Community Planning Exchange in Crescent Heights (9-1 pm)
- November 6th at Monday Mingles at the Federation Offices (6-9 pm)
- more dates to be announced
See below for more details from The City of Calgary:
Infill Scoping Report
On April 24th 2017, Council directed Administration to prepare a scoping report to determine whether land use Bylaw (LUB) or policy amendments were needed to address eleven recurring and emerging issues related to low density infill development. The eleven items are: eave and peak height; massing; front porches; subterranean structures; hardscape coverage; green landscaping; tree retention; drainage; non-standards lots; materials; vehicle loading and storage.
Based on engagement with stakeholders, including members of the FCC, administration has concluded that addressing these 11 items through only Land Use Bylaw amendments will not adequately satisfy the needs of stakeholders. It is important to note that there are different views on what rules these 11 items should be, with minimal consensus across our stakeholders. These eleven items are symptoms of a bigger issue of defining and retaining community character, balanced with a shared vision for how developed communities grow and change.
Administration has concluded that there is a gap in our developed communities between what is being built and our desired outcomes. Reviewing the eleven items should be considered as part of a comprehensive review of infill development to address the issues mentioned above. This would allow administration to work with stakeholders to give shape to a more holistic vision for community growth and infill and would allow administration to address not only these eleven items, but other items that have been raised at Council around other infill districts such as R-CG, M-CG and MC-1.
Comprehensive Approach
Administration has a number of projects underway that would all be part of this comprehensive approach. This includes:
- The review of the residential sections of the Land Use Bylaw (expected to occur in 2 years)
- The review of the Municipal development Plan
- The Developed Areas Guidebook (version 2 expected in Q3 2018 with new ARPS)
- Urban Design Policy
- Main Streets Work
This approach will also coordinate well with a number of community planning projects for Main Streets, Green Line SE and Green Line North. A comprehensive approach would coordinate a more strategic outcome and reduce consultation fatigue.
SPC on Planning and Urban Development, December 13
Administration is developing a work plan for the Comprehensive review of infill development that will show how the other projects mentioned above will fit together in terms of engagement and deliverable. This is anticipated to be attached to the Dec 13, SPC on PUD report