February 2025 Newsletter

Hello Ward 6!

We hope you survived the winter deep freeze of February and are looking forward to warmer temperatures. A lot happened in our community this month. This edition of our newsletter will provide you updates regarding the Local Area Plan Reconnect, Calgary Plan, GamePlan, Blue cart fee decrease, rain barrel sales and much more.

As always, your input and engagement are invaluable in making Ward 6 a great place to live, work and thrive. We encourage you to contact us at ​ward06@calgary.ca​ with concerns, questions or to provide input.

-Ward 6 Team

COUNCIL UPDATES

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Local Area Plan Reconnect

City Council did not approve the Local Area Plan Reconnect (where the Westbrook Communities Local Area Plan (the Plan) was being updated to align with the Council-approved citywide rezoning that allows single-detached homes, semi-detached homes, townhomes and rowhomes to be built across Calgary, and adds in new community improvements to Chapter 3 and Appendix A of the Plans).

There are a number of impacts of this decision:  

• Inconsistent development rules:  The LAP Reconnect decision by Council creates inconsistency for where row/townhouses can be located between different communities. Policies contained within each LAP are not aligned with the Council-approved Home is Here Housing Strategy and the city-wide rezoning decision that allows for single-, semi and row/townhouse development throughout communities in Calgary.
• Permitting uncertainty:  Applicants must comply with policy provisions contained in Area Redevelopment Plans/LAPs. This lack of alignment prevents approval at the development permit stage.

As of December 6, 2024, there were 91 development permit applications under review or on hold in locations across the North Hill Communities, Westbrook Communities and Heritage Communities LAPs. Active applications in these areas are being further assessed by Administration to determine possible development permit amendments to align with the policies in their respective LAPs. Where amendments are not possible, Administration would ultimately refuse the permits. File Managers are actively communicating with the affected applicants on next steps.  

As part of Council’s direction in 2024, Administration also worked with communities to identify community improvements that could help support additional growth and change in the area. These proposed investment opportunities and community improvements for each LAP will not be incorporated into the respective LAP now that the amendments were defeated by Council.

Councillor Courtney Walcott’s thoughts in on Local Area Plan Reconnect decision:

"The decision by council to not align LAPs with the Housing Strategy resulted in over 650 homes not being approved today. While many took this moment to relitigate the Housing Strategy, the decision by Council has very real consequences. For every home denied, there was a family who intended to live there.

While I cannot explain Council's decision, that is up to the individual Councillor; what I can say is that there was some confusion around whether or not the City could delete a redundant sub policy because it appeared two pages earlier in the document. Do we need a policy to be written in 6 places, or will 5 places in the document suffice ? Another point of contention that was misunderstood was around the meaning of a multi-residential home that is grade-oriented. Despite explaining that grade-oriented just means the homes built in our low density neighbourhoods have to have a front door that has access to the street, or in simpler words - no apartment buildings in low density areas. Despite the answers to these questions, some Councillors suggested we cannot go forward unless answers to these questions were provided prior to them being asked.

Homes will not be built, and the ones that are built will be significantly more expensive due to these policy discrepancies. 650 families will not find homes in these communities today, at the very least."  

For more information about the history of the LAP Reconnect and specific implications of the defeated amendments and proposals, visit ​calgary.ca/LAPreconnect​.

Green Line LRT Update

Calgary City Council voted yes on the Green Line LRT, meaning getting shovels in the ground this year in the southeast and beginning work immediately on the connection into the downtown. This decision reflects months of work with the Province of Alberta on a path forward for the largest infrastructure investment in Calgary’s history.

Realizing the significant investments already made through 60% design and enabling construction delivery on the SE Segment from Shepard to the Event Centre/Grand Central Station, the start of main construction will mark the most significant milestone in project history.

Concurrent to construction starting in the southeast, The City will begin work immediately on the Functional Plan required for the Downtown Segment to advance design, validate the Province’s cost estimates, understand potential impacts to existing infrastructure and engage the public to ensure the project is broadly supported by Calgarians prior to starting construction. This work was identified by the Province as outstanding, and the responsibility of The City to undertake.

The concurrent delivery and development of the SE and Downtown Segments will build the backbone of an over 46-kilometer plan that will connect Calgarians to more options for work, homes, and activities.

To realize this direction, The City will now work with the Government of Alberta and Government of Canada on approval of the updated Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) business case to ensure all previous funding commitments can be realized and invested into Calgary’s future.

For more information go to ​https://www.calgary.ca/green-line.html

Calgary Plan Update

On February 12, the Calgary Plan team was at Infrastructure & Planning Committee (IPC) to present the final version of the Plan. At agenda setting, the Committee made the decision to defer the Calgary Plan to Q2 of 2026.    

The City Building Program continues to be priority work, and the team has a solid plan in place to deliver this city-shaping policy work. As such, the team will proceed with engagement on how the Calgary Plan and Zoning Bylaw work together to enable development.  

In the meantime, in order to support other policy work and enable key strategic initiatives, Administration will propose amendments to the current Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw as necessary. We look forward to bringing the Calgary Plan back to IPC in 2026.   

We want to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their involvement to date and we look forward to connecting with you again in the future. For more information on the Calgary Plan, please head to ​City Building | Engage​.  

Council approves GamePLAN to transform public recreation for the next 25 years

Today, City Council approved the Making Waves scenario from GamePLAN, marking a significant step forward in reimagining Calgary's public recreation system.

GamePLAN, a city-wide vision and strategic framework, addresses challenges for the public recreation system posed by Calgary's aging recreation facilities, rising operational costs and growing population. With most of Calgary’s public recreation facilities being over 35 years old, the need for sustainable investment has never been more critical.

The Making Waves scenario aims to meet the needs of Calgary's rapidly growing population by renewing and expanding public recreation services. It will increase the availability of swimming lessons by 40% per capita, bookable hours at ice sheets by 25%, bookable hours at indoor fields by 2.5x and ensure that 86% of Calgarians live within 5km of an aquatic facility.

GamePLAN focuses on four key amenity types: aquatics and fitness, arenas, athletic parks and indoor fields, known as fieldhouses. The initiative will guide service decisions, inform policy, strengthen partnerships and introduce innovative approaches to improve access and outcomes for the community.

The Making Waves scenario requires an annual investment of $200M to $250M and sets the direction for future budget cycles. Administration will now develop an Implementation Plan, including a Capital Project Prioritization List and a funding strategy to ensure the burden isn't fully on municipal taxes.

For more information about GamePLAN and the Making Waves scenario, please visit ​http://www.calgary.ca/GamePLAN​.

DID YOU KNOW?

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Blue Cart fee to be reduced April 1, 2025!

Calgarians will soon see big savings on their Blue Cart fee, which will drop to just $2.17/month—that’s a $7.17/month savings for every household!

The City of Calgary collaborated with the Province of Alberta and has established new partnerships with producer groups to implement EPR for Calgarians. The Alberta’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, where manufacturers and brands will be responsible for collecting, sorting, processing, partially funding and recycling the materials they create.

What Calgarians can expect:

• Reduced blue cart fee on the ENMAX bill
• Continued high-quality collection and customer service from The City of Calgary with a seamless transition and maintained service levels
• More efficient, effective and consistent recycling system

For more information go to ​https://www.calgary.ca/waste/residential/extended-producer-responsibility.html?redirect=/epr

Green Calgary rain barrel sales

Did you know, water use in Calgary communities increases up to 20 per cent in the summer months? Capturing rainwater can help you and your community build resiliency during times of hot and dry weather while keeping your yard and garden healthy. Rain barrels typically fill up after a single rainfall and help keep water on your property, so less dirt and contaminants wash into the rivers. Made locally with recycled material, Green Calgary rain barrels can be used to water the plants in your yard. Rain barrels are $75 after rebate for a limited time with pick-up and delivery options available. Visit ​greencalgary.org​ for details on all sales event dates and locations. Join the thousands of Calgarians already conserving water by using a rain barrel. Pre-order yours at ​greencalgary.org​, starting April 1, 2025.

Right Tree, Right Location

Planting your own tree can be a little daunting. The 2025 Right Tree, Right Location in-person workshops are now open for registration. This course will help you choose and plant a new tree in your yard. The workshops take place from early March to early April.

You can find more information and register here: ​www.calgary.ca/parks/trees/education-workshops.html​ and here: ​www.calgary.ca/parks-rec-programs/nature/adults-nature.html​. As noted in the description, content at each of the workshops is the same and space in each is limited so we request that attendees only sign up for one workshop – registration is via Eventbrite and links are on the page.

Travel Safe Student Video Contest

Are you or someone you know a Calgary student in Grades K-12? Are you passionate about promoting safety while traveling along city streets, sidewalks, or pathways? Do you like making short videos?

Now is your time to shine and make a positive impact with our Travel Safe Student Video Contest!

We are looking for students to create an original 30-second video highlighting safe travel practices, for a chance to win awesome prizes and have your video showcased online!

You can choose to do it on your own, team up with your classmates, friends, or ask your family for help. Everyone's welcome to participate! Submissions will be accepted until April 30, 2025.

Get ready to showcase your talent and help make our city streets safer for everyone! Winners will be announced at our exclusive Video Contest Screening Party on May 14, 2025 at the Central Library.

For more information go to ​Travel safe video contest

Calgary Fire Department Deaf and hard-of-hearing Program

The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) launched a new program, funded by The City of Calgary’s Equity in Service Delivery Fund, to provide free specialized smoke and carbon monoxide alerting devices for eligible Deaf and hard-of-hearing residents, enhancing fire safety and inclusivity.

Traditional smoke and carbon monoxide alarms rely on high-pitched audio alerts, which can be ineffective for those with hearing loss. Assistive alerting devices address this challenge by incorporating:

• Flashing strobe lights that provide a visual warning of smoke or carbon monoxide detection.

• Bed or pillow shakers that vibrate to wake individuals during emergencies.
• Loud, low-pitched audio signals specifically designed for individuals with hearing loss.

Since 1996, CFD’s Home Safety Program has visited over 500,000 homes and installed nearly 35,000 traditional smoke alarms. This new program builds on that legacy, focusing on the unique needs of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. With $100,000 allocated to the overall program, CFD continues its commitment to equitable fire safety for all Calgarians.

To qualify for these free devices, applicants must:

• Self-identify as Deaf or hard of hearing.
• Reside within Calgary city limits.
• Participate in financial support programs such as Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) or Fair Entry.

Calgarians interested in this program can visit ​calgary.ca/fire​ or contact the Community Safety Team at ​CommunitySafety@calgary.ca​ for more information or to begin the application process.

In addition to the assistive alerting devices, CFD also offers door hangers and stickers that alert emergency first responders that someone in the home may be Deaf or hard of hearing. These resources are available to the entire community and can be requested through 311.

EVENTS

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March is Community Association Awareness month, a time to recognize the vital role that community associations play in fostering strong, connected neighbourhoods.

The Ward 6 office and the City Neigbourhood Partnership Coordinators sincerely appreciate the dedication of the volunteers in the 12 community associations (CAs) we have in Ward 6. These volunteers work tirelessly to improve our communities, from organizing events, to maintaining outdoor skating rinks in the winter, to coordinating community gardens in the warmer months. Their advocacy, leadership, and commitment make a lasting impact, and we truly enjoy collaborating with them to support and strengthen our neighbourhoods.

Thank you to all of our CAs for your time, effort and passion- your contributions do not go unnoticed! Take the time this month to thank your CA volunteers, join as a member or volunteer on the board!

Here all the community associations in Ward 6:

• Coach Hill/Patterson Heights- ​www.chph.ca​
• Discovery Ridge- ​www.discoveryridge.com​
• Glamorgan - ​www.myglamorgan.ca​
• Glenbrook- ​https://glenbrook.community/​
• Glendale/Glendale Meadows- ​www.myglendale.ca​
• Signal Hill (SHCA)- ​www.shca.ca​
• Springbank Hill (SBHCA)- ​www.springbankhill.org​
• Spruce Cliff-  ​https://sprucecliff.org/​
• Strathcona, Christie Estates, Aspen (SCA)-​www.scacalgary.ca​
• West Springs/Cougar Ridge (WSCR)- ​www.wscr.ca​
• Westgate- ​www.westgatecommunity.ca
• Wildwood- ​www.mywildwood.ca​

Ward 6 is home to so many incredible outdoor rinks that are maintained by our hardworking community volunteers. Here are some locations of ODRs that are a “must-visit”.

• Aspen -60 Aspen Hills Drive SW
• Discovery Ridge- corner of Discovery Ridge Hill and Discovery Ridge Blvd
• Coach Hill- 6840 Coach Hill Road S.W.
• Cougar Ridge – At Cougarstone Park on Cougar Ridge Dr SW
• Glendale/Glendale Meadows - 4500 25 Ave SW
• Glenbrook Community Association- 3524 45 St SW
• Glenbrook- 4725 Graham Dr. S.W.
• Glamorgan Community Association- 4207 41 Ave SW
• Signal Hill- 489 Sienna Park Green SW
• SCA Community Association- 277 Strathcona Dr SW
• Springbank/Montreaux- 535 St. Moritz DR S.W.
• Sprinbank Hill- 3804 Springbank Blvd. S.W.
• Westgate Community Association- 4943 8 Ave SW
• Wildwood Community Association- 4411 Spruce Dr SW

Garden together at your local community garden located here:

• Glendale/Glendale Meadows - 4500 25 Ave SW
• Strathcona, Christie, Aspen (SCA)- 277 Strathcona Dr SW
•  Springbank Hill- Springbank Hill Community Park with the entrance off 26th Avenue SW
• West Springs / Cougar Ridge (WSCR)- 25 Weston Park (73 St. adjacent to the soccer field & behind the Weston Drive Plaza)
• Wildwood- 4411 Spruce Dr SW