DP 2021-3497

The Brentwood Community Association has received updated plans for the Northland Mall development.

Please click here to view the plans.

Hello Brentwood and Charleswood Residents,

There have been some significant updates regarding the Guidebook for Great Communities.

1. The new name is proposed to be the “Guide for Local Area Plans”, but since that has not been approved by Council, I will continue to refer to it as the “Guidebook”.
2.  The Guidebook is going to PUD (Planning and Urban Development) Committee on Wednesday, May 5^th.
   You can find the Agenda here; item 7.1. https://pub-calgary.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=185bf4cf-1301-4697-8d7d-4d9983264ef9&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=20.  
3. The above link includes 13 Attachments from City Administration with all the proposed changes and details. There were 62 amendments proposed, so there is a lot of detail to review.
4. What the link does NOT include is the Public Submissions.  We are not aware of why they are not included.  Public Submissions are a vital part of the documents for any Council meeting and we have asked for clarifications as to why they are not included.
5. Public Submissions were due on Wednesday, April 28^th at noon.  On behalf of the Brentwood CA, we submitted a letter.
6. The City Report (the above link) was not made public until Friday, April 30^th.  This meant that we had to submit our letter to be included in the Public Submissions 2 days before we knew what was going to be in the report.
7. There is a multi-community letter asking for a delay.  It has been signed by 35 Community Associations representing 47 communities in 10 wards (including Brentwood).  There has been little time to learn about the many proposed changes, let alone communicate them to our residents.  We need time to share and collaborate with our CA and our residents before this document goes any further.
8. Communities have set up their own website for posting information and links.  See www.calgaryguidebook.ca to view some CA letters or other feedback.
9. If you are interested in speaking at PUD on May 5^th or still submitting a letter, you must register via this link:
   https://forms.calgary.ca/content/forms/af/public/public/public-submission-to-city-clerks.html
10. If you are interested in speaking at PUD on May 5^th or still submitting a letter, you must register via this link:
    https://forms.calgary.ca/content/forms/af/public/public/public-submission-to-city-clerks.html
11. If you  wish to watch the meeting, go to this link on the meeting date and there will be a link for a live stream.  https://www.calgary.ca/ca/city-clerks/legislative-services/agenda-minutes.html
12. If you
13. wish to send a letter directly, you may send an email to cityclerk@calgary.ca or to councillorweb@calgary.ca and ask that it be forwarded to all Councillors and the Mayor.

In summary, Council directed Administration to create a What We Heard Report based on 3 days’ worth of speakers at the Public Hearing from March 22 – 24, 2021.  The reports have been created but there has been no City-wide engagement on the proposed Guidebook amendments.

The Guidebook represents a major evolution to Planning that will directly impact every community, especially inner-City and Established Communities such as Brentwood.  In the Multi-Community letter, CAs have come together to ask for a delay:  Council needs to take the time needed to get this right.

Melanie Swailes
On behalf of the Development and Transportation Committee
Brentwood Community Association

Hi Brentwood and Charleswood Residents,

Happy Family Day weekend!  Hopefully, it warms up a bit so we can enjoy some time outside.

Here are some recent Brentwood Community Association updates:

Covid and the Brentwood Community Association

The offices and Sportsplex remain closed to the public as per AHS regulations and guidelines.  The office remains open for phone calls or information.  Staff is on site Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and can be reached at 403-284-3477 or email:  office@brentwoodcommunity.com.Looking for indoor kids’ activities?

The BCA website at http://brentwoodcommunity.com/covid-19/ has some neat ideas, including “Download Free Colouring Books from 113 Museums”, “50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They’re 12” and “National Parks Virtual Tours” (USA Parks via Google Earth.  Check out the amazing scenery at Arches or Bryce National Park, as well as many others).

John Laurie Blvd. NW Restoration & Reconstruction – Shaganappi Tr. to 14 Street

As part of The City’s life-cycle maintenance and major roads restoration program, there will be road restoration and rehabilitation of John Laurie Blvd. from Shaganappi Tr. to 14 St. as well as full intersection reconstruction at Brisebois Drive.  Construction will begin in late Spring 2021 and completion is scheduled for Fall 2021.

You can sign up for email updates and see further details here:

https://www.calgary.ca/transportation/ti/road-projects/john-laurie-blvd-nw-restoration.html?redirect=/johnlaurieblvd

What does the Guidebook for Great Communities mean to you?
The latest draft of the proposed Guidebook for Great Communities was approved by the City of Calgary Planning and Urban Development (PUD) committe on February 3^rd, so it will move to Council.  Council will decide whether to adopt or reject the guidebook at the March 22 meeting.

What does this mean for future redevelopment in Brentwood?

More information here https://www.calgary.ca/pda/pd/current-studies-and-ongoing-activities/guidebook-faqs.html, scroll down to “Redeveloping residential housing in our communities” and expand each section.

The biggest change is that “a new policy will guide low-density residential redevelopment”.

First, let’s define low-density residential (LDR) homes, through familiar examples: single-detached homes, suites, semi-detached (side by side), duplexes (up-down), rowhouses, etc.

When the Guidebook mentions LDR, it only includes residential homes of three storeys or less.

The new policy guides LDR redevelopment in communities so people have more housing choice and can live closer to more amenities and services, so more people can access them.

Pages 44 – 46 show the “Neighbourhood Local” category   and Page 78 has an illustration of what the “Limited Scale” category would include.

https://www.calgary.ca/pda/pd/current-studies-and-ongoing-activities/guidebook-for-great-communities.html#guidebook

The document is long, 131 pages, and it’s not easy to understand all the proposed changes without careful study, but it is very important!  If the guidebook is adopted, it will become a statutory planning document that will guide redevelopment and growth in Calgary.

Learn more at one of 3 virtual information sessions:  February 17, March 13 and March 16.  Dates, times and registration information are here: https://www.calgary.ca/pda/pd/current-studies-and-ongoing-activities/guidebook-for-great-communities.html

Avenue Magazine Best Neighbourhood Gems Ballot

Brentwood was voted the #1 neighbourhood by Avenue magazine in both 2019 and 2020.  This year, Avenue is doing their annual Best Neighbourhoods issue differently.

In their first-ever online Best Neighbourhood Gems ballot, they’re asking Calgarians to share what they love most in their neighbourhoods. Until March 1, Calgarians can nominate and vote for their favourite places and things in more than 30 categories, including parks, recreational areas, community initiatives, public art and more. Once all the votes are in, the top-nominated entrants will be featured in the Best Neighbourhoods content online and in Avenue‘s September 2021 print issue.

https://www.avenuecalgary.com/neighbourhood-gems-ballot/

Select each category below and submit your favourite Brentwood spots between now and March 1, 2021.

Spring cleaning?  How to get rid of your “stuff”!
Did you know the City has a residential recycling and disposal search tool?  There is an extensive list of everything from A (A&W burger wrapper) to Z (Ziploc bag).

https://www.calgary.ca/uep/wrs/what-goes-where/a-to-z-listing.html#A

Check under “C” for “Clothing” to find out what to do with clothing, shoes and textiles.

Are you a Property Brothers fan?

The show Property Brothers: Forever Home is currently casting for homeowners in our area.  They are looking for “families that LOVE their house – terrific neighborhood, great amenities, tons of memories and decent bones – but also know it needs change that only a renovation can fix!”.  If you are interested, a link has been posted on the BCA site at http://brentwoodcommunity.com/2021/02/12/hgtv-property-brothers-forever-home-calgary-casting/

Thanks for your interest in our great community!  Keep checking out the main BCA website for updates:  http://brentwoodcommunity.com/news/announcements/, as well as the BCA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BrentwoodYYC/ (you can view the page even if you are not a Facebook member).

Please continue to stay safe (and warm)!

Melanie Swailes

On behalf of the Development and Transportation Committee

Brentwood Community Association

Hi Brentwood and Charleswood Residents,

This is the first update for 2021 so there are a lot of events or updates for our community.

We’re all getting tired of Covid but many Brentwood volunteers are continuing in their roles or finding new ways to keep things happening.  There are lots of links on this mail and hopefully you will find something of interest!
(Please note, if you no longer wish to receive updates, just send me a quick note and I will immediately remove you from my list.)

Covid and the Brentwood Community Association

The offices and Sportsplex are currently closed to the public as per AHS regulations and guidelines.  The office remains open for phone calls or information.  Staff is on site Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and can be reached at 403-284-3477 or email:  office@brentwoodcommunity.com.

Please see the website at http://brentwoodcommunity.com/covid-19/ for updates.

 Wondering what the Guidebook for Great Communities is all about?

This is a City of Calgary online free introduction session:  Saturday,  Jan 30, 2021 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM MST
Register at:  https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/guidebook-101-tickets-137507884785

The latest draft of the proposed Guidebook for Great Communities has been released.

https://www.calgary.ca/pda/pd/current-studies-and-ongoing-activities/guidebook-for-great-communities.html?redirect=/guidebook

Click “Download the Guidebook” to view the full document.

On the above page, you will find a list of proposed changes, many of which were brought forward by community associations concerned about the impacts on their communities.

You can also find some previous Bugle articles about the Guidebook on this link:  https://developments.brentwoodcommunity.com/bugle-articles/

Northland Mall Residential Component

Work is proceeding with Development and Land Use Permits needed to allow for the proposed new residential buildings.

There will be two 6-storey buildings, about 229 units in total, all  purpose-built rental units with on-site management.  The Brentwood CA supports this development as it could help ensure the continuation of Northland Mall and bring density into an area with minimal impacts on nearby residents (such as shadowing, loss of views or spillover parking).
Plans and some renderings are available here; scroll down the Current Developments page until you see Northland Mall Residential Apartments.  https://developments.brentwoodcommunity.com/current-developments/

Thursday, January 28 – 4:00 PM – Zoom meeting for Brentwood Cares

Do you have time on your hands this winter?  Looking for a rewarding way to get involved?  The Brentwood Cares group welcomes you to join them in 2021.  Volunteers have been involved with everything from delivering food hampers to assisting seniors in the community to a clothing drive.  (All activities follow safety requirements and guidelines.)

If you want to see what it’s all about, or just listen in, there is a Zoom Meeting on Thursday, Jan 28^th at 4:00 PM.   Details can be found here:

Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dH5XjQXN98E6UwLUTmFZmILxcSaXS4or4qSRhS5SkuY/edit?usp=sharing

Topics will include a review of 2020 (what was fun, what made a contribution, what built community?) as well as the dreams and plans for 2021.

To join the meeting, use this Zoom link:

https://ucalgary.zoom.us/j/96251164135

Meeting ID: 962 5116 4135

(Please do RSVP to cam.howey@gmail.com if you are coming so you can be “let into” the meeting.)

Brentwood Cares Little Food Library at 3624 Boulton Rd

Our Little Food Library maintained its busy pace through the holiday season. It was wonderful to see neighbours drop of special treats and creative staples. With your donations and support, we continue to stock the library twice daily as it is accessed by people of all ages and circumstances, from elders to students.

This holiday season, a number of Brentwood residents also shared their time and cooking talents to participate in “Supper Club”. As many of us socially distanced this holiday to protect our loved ones and the community, extra portions of home-cooked meals were available. A heartfelt thanks to Brentwoodians who dropped off a Christmas meal to the home of a temporary foreign worker – bringing smiles and a sense of belonging to our neighbours.

Hats off to you Brentwood for your continued support!

Public Art in Calgary
After some of the public outcry over some public art in Calgary (Traveling Light, a.k.a. “the Blue Ring” and others ), the City of Calgary has new direction for its public art processes.  There are some interesting works of art either completed or planned based on feedback from Calgarians.  You can see examples or find more information here:

https://www.calgary.ca/csps/recreation/public-art.html

You can also subscribe to periodic updates on a link at the bottom of the page.

Environment Strategy and Action Plan

Share your ideas on how to plan for, and improve Calgary’s environment now and in the future.

The City of Calgary has an online survey which includes areas such as:  Clean Air, Sustainable Transportation, Healthy Ecosystems, Zero Waste and Responsible Consumption and others.

https://engage.calgary.ca/environment 

Ongoing City Engagements
Keep an eye on this City of Calgary site for current surveys or projects which are looking for your input.  You can also view past topics if you scroll down the page, including things like the Green Line, Pet Ownership Bylaw review or the proposed redevelopment of Fire Station #17 in Varsity.

https://engage.calgary.ca/

Developments and Permit information

Looking for information about Developments or Permits near you?  See www.calgary.ca/pdmap for an interactive map with all the planned development applications that are currently being considered by The City of Calgary.

Also check the Brentwood CA Development and Transporation Committee website for current development information, including the file manager’s contact information and the due date for comments.  https://developments.brentwoodcommunity.com/current-developments/

Green Cart Food and Yard Waste program
Looking for an updated calendar for collection or wondering what can go in your green cart?

https://www.calgary.ca/uep/wrs/recycling-information/residential-services/green-cart/green-cart-composting.html?redirect=/greencart

Thanks for your interest in our great community!  Please continue to stay safe!

Melanie Swailes

On behalf of the Development and Transportation Committee

Brentwood Community Association

Brentwood Community Association has received revisions for the residential apartment buildings for the reconstruction of Northland Mall.  If you would like to have a closer look at all the plans please contact the Brentwood Community Association.

Summary Contents:

1. Updated information on Northland Village Mall redevelopment
2. City Council Hearing
3. LOC2019-0142 Land Use Amendment Drawings and Details for Item 8.1.4
4. Brentwood Community Association Feedback
5. Attach 3 – Master Concept Plan CPC2020-0593.2
6. Application for Land Use Amendment (click on green button for info and diagrams)