Copy
View this email in your browser
FEBRUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

Planning & Development

Our mission: To plan and enable building a great Calgary

Calgary is a great place to make a living and a life. Planning & Development continues to support our local economy and the aspirations of landowners by processing planning applications and building permits. We've remained open for business throughout the pandemic, with a continued focus on providing great service for our customers and building great communities together.
We’re on Twitter! The City of Calgary’s Planning & Development department joined Twitter as another channel to showcase the planning work we do in Calgary and give the opportunity for more conversation about how we plan and enable building a great city. It’s a place where we're bringing the “social” back so we can engage with more audiences about what makes our city awesome now and in the future. Come join the conversation @yycplan!

COLLABORATION

Deadline extended for your input on Off-site Levy Bylaw proposals 

Our work to update the 2016 Off-site Levy Bylaw continues and this year we’ll offer several opportunities for you to provide feedback on proposed changes, starting with an online survey about the Water Resources section of the bylaw. The deadline to submit feedback on this survey has been extended to Feb. 14.

Off-site levies are one of several funding sources that help cover the costs of the off-site infrastructure that enables and supports investment, growth and development in Calgary. Stakeholder feedback on proposed changes is important to the new bylaw.
 
As part of this work, we're also exploring an Established Area Local-sized Linear Levy, to address the ‘first in’ payment issue with local-sized water pipe upgrades in the Established Area. We've been working on this levy with industry members and want to hear your thoughts on it. Take the online survey before it closes on Feb. 25. 
 
For more information about consultation on the Off-site Levy Bylaw, visit the consultation web page. You can also sign up to the project email list to receive notices directly when updates are published.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Development permits with upcoming commencement dates may be eligible for extension

As of Feb. 1, the Development Approvals team is issuing notices to applicants with an approved development permit nearing its commencement date. Calgary’s Land Use Bylaw mandates the development timeline, and meeting this date prevents an approved development permit from falling into a lapsed state. If a lapse occurs, a new application is required.

Applicants who are unable to begin development by the commencement date may be eligible to apply for an extension. Applications are accepted within 90 days leading up to the commencement date. Applications submitted on or after that date will not be accepted.

To apply for an extension, submit a DP extension of commencement CARL and email the completed form to CAS_ePermit@calgary.ca. For any additional inquiries, please call us at 403-268-5311.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

PDF version of bylaw best bet in some cases

We work hard to keep the interactive version of the Land Use Bylaw up-to-date, but on rare occasions errors do occur. While we explore different software options, we encourage you to rely on the PDF version for the most accurate and up-to-date bylaw requirements, even if you continue to use the interactive version for quick reference. 
 
We apologize for the inconvenience, and we’ll let you know as soon as we’ve implemented a more stable solution. Thank you for your patience.

Download Land Use Bylaw IP2007 to review recent updates to Section 53. 

ENABLING

Update: DART transition still in progress

The Development Applications Review Team (DART) is taking more time to evaluate the full transition of our engineering team to the new operating model. Until further notice, we will continue to have a Transportation (Mobility) Generalist and a Development (Utility) Engineering Generalist assigned to DART files.  

We remain steadfast in our progression to a two-generalist model, but it’s operationally necessary to continue the separation between Transportation and Development Engineering. The upcoming Corporate Realignment initiative will add significant improvements that will help DART move solidly to a two-generalist model.  

Applicants with active files with us will be notified of changes that are specific to their application.  

If you have questions, please email us at approvals@calgary.ca 


POLICY

Council approves two amendments to planning guidebook, now in effect

Council recently approved two amendments under Section Urban Growth Policies in the New Communities Planning Guidebook (Municipal Development Plan: Volume 2, Part 1), Sections 4.3.1 (d) and (e) respectively.

  1. Outline Plan applications with Growth Management Overlays (GMO)
The amendment under Section 4.3.1 (d) will now enable Calgary Planning Commission to consider Outline Plans in all Area Structure Plans with Growth Management Overlays areas for conditional approval. The processes for Council consideration on the Growth Management Overlay removal and Land Use redesignations remain unchanged.
  1. Small scale use applications with a GMO

Section 4.3.1 (e) is now added to allow small scale uses within Growth Management Overlay areas, where there is no change to existing servicing or infrastructure, at the discretion of the Development Authority. Permits for proper approvals are still required.
 
For more information on GMOs and these amendments, view the attachments to Council Agenda item 8.2.1.


LOCAL ECONOMY

CMLC hosting Arts Commons Transformation event on Feb. 9

The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) is hosting a virtual event next week to announce and introduce the Prime Design Team and share more on the vision for the project. Questions for the design team will be accepted from registered participants until Feb. 4.

The Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) is led by CMLC, in partnership with Arts Commons and The City. The transformed Arts Commons will be a modern and inclusive gathering space that contributes to our city’s social, economic, and cultural well-being.

Event Date: Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022
Event Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
 
Register here and submit your question(s) for the design team by Feb. 4.


COLLABORATION

Help shape Calgary's next four years

We’re working on the 2023-2026 Service Plans and Budgets, a roadmap for how we deliver services to citizens and businesses and the financial plan to support our actions.
 
These documents serve as the foundation for our service delivery, the value we provide, and how we contribute to the quality of life in our community. By getting your feedback, we can better understand your perspective around our service levels and the value you find for your tax dollars and user fees.
 
How do you experience our city? Tell us what’s important to you through our public engagement portal by Mar. 7 at engage.calgary.ca/yourservices.


CULTURE

New interactive 3D mapping project celebrates historic gem and Lunar New Year

Did you know that Calgary’s Chinatown had two other locations prior to its current one? Or that community organizers in Chinatown were instrumental in stopping proposals to redevelop the south bank of the Bow River as a major freeway? These and other amazing stories tied to Chinatown buildings, both past and present, are now available online at Reflective Urbanisms: Mapping Calgary Chinatown.
 
Reflective Urbanisms is an exciting project recently launched as part of the Calgary Chinatown Artist Residency, with support from our department and The New Gallery. Created by artist and architect Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong, the project visualizes physical and cultural changes in Chinatown through interactive 3D mapping as a way to share its history.
 
Take a virtual tour and/or visit Chinatown during the Lunar New Year, Feb. 1-15, to learn more about this cultural gem in the heart of our city.

Since March 2020, we've created a number of fee relief measures and process changes to support our business and industry customers during these challenging times. For a complete list of Planning & Development service changes, visit calgary.ca.
Visit our online Development Map to find developments of interest, stay up-to-date on the status of applications and submit your comments directly to the file manager.
Join our Business Perspectives Panel to help shape City programs and services directly impacting local businesses. Contact us at business.panel@calgary.ca to learn more.
If you've received this newsletter from a friend or colleague, subscribe to receive future editions directly and in real time. Already subscribed and want to change your settings? You can
update your preferences or unsubscribe from this newsletter.
Copyright © 2022 City of Calgary - Planning & Development, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
PD@newsletters.calgary.ca