This Month's Updates:
- You're Invited: Learn about Rezoning for Housing - April 10
- Richmond Green Project Update
- 17 Ave SW Reconstruction: Final Phase
- Mission Bridge Rehabilitation
- Travel Safe Student Video Contest
- Green Line Is on Its Way
- Rain Barrels
- Free Compost!
- 311 Introduces New Callback Feature
- Storm Drains
- Upcoming Community Events
- Stories for You
Learn about Rezoning for Housing
Online event: Rezoning for Housing
In advance of the council public hearing on April 22nd, Councillor Walcott will provide an overview of the rezoning proposal and answer questions. The rezoning for housing initiative is part of the Calgary Housing Strategy: Home is Here.
Event Details: Date: Wednesday, April 10
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Location: Online (Register to receive the meeting link) Rezoning for Housing - Councillor Courtney Walcott
Event Agenda:
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6:30 PM - 6:35 PM: Land Acknowledgement, Introductions, and Housekeeping
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6:35 PM - 7:00 PM: Presentation by Councillor Walcott
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7:00 PM - 7:55 PM: Moderated Q&A – Please submit your questions in advance during registration.
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7:55 PM - 8:00 PM: Closing & Next Actions
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the City's Rezoning for Housing initiative and directly engage with your Council representative.
What is Rezoning for Housing?
Calgary's current housing crisis demands urgent action to increase housing availability. One of the many strategies offering solutions in the "Home is Here: The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy” is the proposed citywide rezoning.
This initiative aims to accelerate the construction of diverse housing options by streamlining permit approvals, which can enhance affordability and stability across communities. Diverse housing types will ensure that all Calgarians may have access to homes they can afford. The proposed zoning changes, which will designate low-density parcels to R-CG or R-G, align with Calgary's growth trajectory and support sustainable development. This approach, proven successful in other cities, promises reduced approval timelines and increased housing construction.
For more information, please see:
To participate in the public hearing:
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Submit your comments for Council by noon on April 15 to City Clerks and/or register to speak.
- Don’t worry; if you miss the deadline, you can still submit comments to the Council. This first deadline is for submissions that will be published in Council’s agenda before April 22.
- City Clerks offers accessibility services, complimentary transit tickets, and parking for participants attending Council public hearings in person. See details here: calgary.ca/Council/Meetings/Accessibility.
Richmond Green Project Update
The Richmond Green project team is progressing from the Final Concept Plan (pictured above) to the detailed design. It's expected that some changes on the exact placement of amenities will occur as they move through this process.
For more information on the work that's been done so far, and to subscribe to updates, visit engage.calgary.ca/richmondgreen.
17 Ave SW Reconstruction: Final Phase
As part of the final phase of the 17 Avenue S.W. Reconstruction Project, The City will be completing sidewalk and streetscape improvements along 17 Avenue S.W., from 2 Street to 14 Street S.W. Work this year is expected to begin in April, and will include:
- Sidewalk repairs from 2 Street to 14 Street S.W.
- Rehabilitation of concrete tree boxes from 2 Street to 14 Street S.W.
- New electrical infrastructure for streetlights and for upcoming 5G.
- Toplift paving from 2 Street to 8 Street S.W.
These improvements will complete the major restoration work that has been underway from 2017 through 2019 and will help ensure that 17 Avenue S.W. can continue to serve the business community, residential community, and the many users of the 17 Ave area for many years.
Mission Bridge Rehabilitation
Traffic signal improvements, retaining wall repairs, and preparatory work is occurring in advance of construction.
Check calgary.ca/planning/projects/mission-bridge.html for updates on the project timeline, construction impacts, and detours in the area.
Travel Safe Student Video Contest
Do you ever see people not being safe when they are walking, wheeling or driving?
Calling all filmmakers! Put on your director’s hat, grab your camera and help make our city’s streets safer for everyone.
You could win a grand prize pack worth more than $1,200 or two runner-up prizes worth $250 each!
Calgary students in Grades 6 to 12 are invited to create an original video to promote safety while traveling on city streets, sidewalks and/or pathways. Entries will be accepted throughout the month of April. Winners will be announced at a Screening Party in early June 2024.
Click here for contest rules and details on how to enter.
Green Line Is on Its Way
Main construction of the Green Line LRT is starting this year, and the benefits will last Calgarians a lifetime. Phase 1 spans 18 kilometers from Shepard Station at 130 Ave S.E. to Eau Claire at the north end of downtown. With 13 stations, it provides connections to the Red and Blue LRT lines and three MAX rapid bus routes.
The Green Line will provide transit options for 70,000 people living within a 10-minute walk of the line, unlocking land for development, and increasing access to housing options. This leads to a more vibrant and diverse community for all Calgarians to enjoy.
As the largest infrastructure project in Calgary’s history, the Green Line will also improve social equity by providing direct access to 190,000 jobs in downtown, Quarry Park and industrial areas. The project is also expected to create over 20,000 direct and supporting jobs by the end of construction.
With an estimate of 55,000 daily Green Line riders, there will be less congestion on existing transit routes, and fewer cars on the road. This is great news for the environment and public transit riders!
As construction begins and excitement grows, stay up to date on the project by visiting calgary.ca/GreenLine or following @GreenLineYYC on Twitter or Instagram.
Rain Barrels
Calgary is facing a drought. Now, more than ever, every drop counts. We all need to do our part to conserve water and use it wisely.
Using a rain barrel is a great way to capture and reuse rainwater in your yard, even when outdoor water restrictions are in place.
Buy a rain barrel from Green Calgary
Rain barrels cost $78 +GST each for a limited time during the spring season. Use alone or link as many together as you want with a hose kit.
Rain barrel pre-orders have already sold out!
If you are interested in purchasing a rain barrel you can still do so using one of the following options:
- Visit one of Green Calgary's pop-up sale locations to purchase a barrel in-person and take it home that day. This is on a first come first serve basis, so come early!
- Purchase one of their barrels from Golden Acres starting May 1st (same barrels at the same price).
Visit greencalgary.org to find out more.
Further reading:
Free Compost!
Gardeners: feed your soul… and your soil.
Starting April 9, book your appointment to pick up your free compost from Shepard or Spyhill landfills between April 15 and June 1.
Visit calgary.ca/compost to book. One appointment per household.
Psst ... want some mulch?
Free mulch is available year-round from the East Calgary Landfill: Free mulch at East Calgary landfill
311 Introduces New Callback Feature
The City of Calgary has launched a new feature for its 24/7 services and information line. When you call 311, you'll be notified of the wait time, and you can choose to receive a callback if it is longer than one minute.
If the expected wait is longer than one minute, the system will advise on the estimated wait time before providing the option for a call back.
The call back feature is available on the 10-digit 403.268.CITY (2489) and 311 lines between the hours of 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., seven days a week. These hours of operation experience the highest volume of call demand, often resulting in longer wait times.
“This technology allows for 311 to strengthen our commitment and focus on providing enhanced customer service to our citizens,” says Clarke Bellamy, Manager, 311, Customer Service & Communications. “We anticipate this new feature will provide additional options to callers that prefer not to wait on hold.”
The City of Calgary is the first 311 service in western Canada to offer a daily callback feature.
Contact 311 via mobile app and by phone for City information and non-emergency services, such as bylaw-related issues, snow removal concerns, potholes, street cleaning and tax account inquiries. Language translation and accessibility services are available.
Find out more at calgary.ca/311.
Storm Drains
Keeping storm drains clear this spring
Storm drains are a part of Calgary's stormwater system. There are about 60,000 storm drains in Calgary working to capture water and melting snow off sidewalks, streets and roads.
If it's safe and possible to do, remove debris or snow blocking the drain. Create a channel, if need be, to help water flow.
Pooled water on your street
In communities built after 1990, The City installs devices in the storm drain to control how fast water flows into the system. During and after a rainfall event, these devices allow water to pool on the road (usually in a depression or low spot, called a trap low), until the stormwater system can accept the extra water.
Take a picture
If the storm drain remains submerged for more than 90 minutes or you cannot safely clear ice and snow away, take a photo and submit it via the 311 App or a web request. Attaching a photo goes a long way in helping our crews respond on a priority basis.
For more information on storm drains and to locate the closest one to you, visit calgary.ca/stormdrains.
Upcoming Community Events
Stories for You
To solve the housing crisis, we must get government building housing again
Source: Toronto Star
Federal government commits millions for rapid housing in Calgary
Source: LiveWire Calgary
