Chinook Local Area Plan

Chinook Communities Local Area Plan

The changes to the development rules will be implemented through the creation of LAPs. We are in LAP 8: Chinook which includes Elboya/Britannia, Parkdale, Windsor Park, Meadowlark Park, Mayfair/Bel Aire, and Manchester.

You can learn more about the LAP  at the City webpage Chinook Communities Local Area Plan.

The final draft has been published, here is the link: Chinook Communities Local Area Plan - Final Draft - October 2024

Review and Approval

The LAP will be reviewed at a public hearing of the Infrastructure and Planning Committee February 27, 2025. It will then go to Council for final hearing and approval, possibly in March or April.

EBCA ACTION

EBCA joined with the other Community Associations to form the Chinook Lap Community Association Network to coordinate our response at the hearings

  • Parkhill: Ruth Melchior

  • EBCA: Mike Read

  • Windsor Park: Ken Young

  • Meadowlark Park: Verna Leask

  • Mayfair Bel Aire: Peter Colins

We had our kick-off meeting Jan 17. We concluded that:

  • we should express our concerns and opposition and both the IPC and Council Hearings.

  • If we don’t, our silence will interpreted by the City and Council that we don’t care, or worse, that we tacitly support the LAP.

SO, we need volunteers to speak at the hearings and/or write submissions.  We believe repeating our past concerns that have been ignored or dismissed is entirely acceptable.  It won’t change their minds, but it will let them know we haven’t changed our minds either.

EBCA had many excellent letters and speeches during the Blanket Upzoning Hearing in April. We are asking you to again volunteer to dust off you speech and remind the Councillors and Administration they continue to fail to represent a large proportion of their constituents.

If haven’t volunteered to give a speech before. please contact development@elboyabritanna.com and we will help you in any way we can.

FYI: the City is conducting a “Conversation Series” where you can connect with Chinook Communities Local Area Planning project team in a small group setting. Registration is required, click here to register. Dates are November 26, December 3, January 14, January 27

Protect the Hearts of Our Neighbourhoods

The Elboya and Britannia neighbourhoods, originally developed in the 1950's, predominantly consist of single-family homes on large lots, with tree-lined streets.  Our neighbourhood character is worth protecting.

Elboya and Britannia are at a watershed point regarding how future redevelopment in our neighbourhoods will be directed. As described below, the City is creating the Chinook Communities Local Area Plan which will change the rules on what types of buildings can replace your neighbour’s house.

The EBCA is committed to advocate to protect our neighbourhood character.

Changes to the Development Rules

Under the current Land Use Bylaw, Elboya and Britannia are designated R-C1 (Residential – Contextual One Dwelling Districts) and the rules specify that a house can only be replaced by another house.

However, the City of Calgary is committed to increase the residential density in established communities like ours.  Their goal is to have 50% of Calgary’s future population growth to be accommodated in existing established communities. 

Through the development of a Local Area Plan ("LAP"), traditional RC-1 neighbourhoods will see increased density by allowing houses to be replaced by Duplexes, Rowhouses, Townhouses, Infill Townhouses (narrow lot), and other larger multi unit buildings.  Additional Secondary suites will be allowed in these multi buildings. Only 50% of the dwelling unit will have on site parking.

Why Do We Care?

You likely moved to Elboya Britannia because you wanted a house with a yard in a stable, quiet, family-oriented neighbourhood with mature trees.  Densification will, over time, negatively impact these values:

·                Stable: we will never know what the person who buys our neighbours house will do with respect to redevelopment.

·                Quiet, family oriented: increased cars, parking, traffic, safety issues.

·                Mature trees, greenspace: the new rules allow higher lot coverage (more building, less greenspace) which will reduce greenspace and trees.

Altadore and 33 Avenue SW are examples of what our future could look like.

Additional Information

The following are links to City information sites and EBCA discussions.

City Webpage on Local Area Plans  https://www.calgary.ca/planning/local-area.html

Chinook Local Area Plan Webpage https://engage.calgary.ca/Chinook