May 2021 Newsletter

Greetings Ward 14!

As I write this people are starting to get back into a bit of a normal routine. Let’s hope that trend continues. It feels really good to be getting back out there!

A note for those in Chaparral, Walden and Legacy: You may have noticed that businesses in the new Township Shopping Centre in Legacy are starting to open. You can expect to see even more new businesses opening throughout this month, bringing some new amenities to this part of town.

Changing Speed Limits

The unposted speed limit will be changing across Calgary at the end of this month. That means starting May 31, 2021 all residential roads in Calgary that are not posted otherwise will be 40 km/h. You may have already seen some signs going up to accommodate this change. If there is anything you are unsure of, the website calgary.ca/saferspeed has much more info, and a search engine to see how your street is impacted.

I take pride in listening to my constituents, and in listening to them it became very clear to me they are passionate about the potential change to speed limits. I have been representing Ward 14 long enough to know when that is obviously the case. This is a big change. That is why I was so adamant about letting Calgarians tell us what they think, and it is why I proposed a plebiscite on the topic.

Obviously, my proposal was not accepted by the rest of Council and the speed limit changes will become official. My job is to be the voice of the people in Ward 14 on City Council. I am simply trying to get the best sample size possible in order to accurately represent them. In the absence of this information, I could not support the change to speed limits.

Again, if you have any questions please visit calgary.ca/saferspeed, and/or contact me at calgary.ca/contactward14.

TLC Kits

This year you can gather your family cohort to help your community with a little spring TLC. The Litter Cleanup Kits (TLC Kits) are now available for pickup. Each kit contains gloves and garbage bags for your community cleanup. For more information, visit calgary.ca/tlckits or contact 311.

Understanding rights-of-way and your property

Did you know that part of your yard is made up of rights-of-way, and your property line doesn’t begin at the edge of the road or sidewalk closest to your home? A lot of people do not. I have been fighting for a while now, to have this information shared more clearly by the City. That is why for more information or to learn where the right-of-way is located on your property you can now visit calgary.ca/row.

The City of Calgary is responsible for managing access to municipal rights-of-way in Calgary. A right-of-way is an area that gives The City space to install infrastructure (e.g. street light poles and trees), while also giving shallow utilities (i.e. power, gas and telecommunications providers) a place to install and maintain their critical infrastructure. When utility work is required in your community, crews can apply for the permits required to access the right-of-way to install infrastructure, both above and below ground. All properties contain a road right-of-way, but only some properties have a utility right-of-way on them. In most cases, the utility right-of way starts at your property line and extends inward, toward your home. The space the right-of-way takes up in a yard will vary and it can also be located along the side of your home or at the back. As a homeowner, you are responsible for mowing and general maintenance, but it is technically the road right-of-way and is considered public land.

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The upcoming election and rules surrounding what incumbents are allowed to do means you will not be seeing my column until after the election. You should still always feel free to contact me any time. The best way to contact me is by visiting calgary.ca/contactward14.

-Councillor Peter Demong