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FEBRUARY 2021 NEWSLETTER
Planning & Development
Our mission: To plan and enable building a great Calgary
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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 remain open for business, with a continued focus on providing great service for our customers and building great communities together.
January planning activity at-a-glance
The new year got off to a strong start with construction values up last month compared to January 2020.
The momentum on home improvement projects started in 2020 are showing no signs of slowing down. In January we saw a 49 per cent increase in Residential Improvement permits over the same month last year. Single construction permits are also off to a strong start compared to last January.
Our interactions with customers also continue to rise. In January we saw a 10 per increase in customer contacts over the same period last year.
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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.
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POLICY
Guidebook and North Hill Communities Local Area Plan headed to Council
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With members of the Planning & Urban Development Committee (PUD) voting 7-1 in favour of the Guidebook for Great Communities and the North Hill Communities Local Area Plan, Administration’s recommendation to adopt the plans are now headed to Council. PUD’s endorsement on Feb. 3 is a giant leap forward in sustainably planning our city with citizens who are living here today and for those who will live here in the future.
Next Steps
The Guidebook and North Hill Communities Local Area Plan will be brought forward to Council on March 22, 2021. The session will include a public hearing, providing citizens another opportunity to voice their views, and Council to ask questions of Administration. The public hearing will conclude with a decision from Council.
Interested in learning more about the Guidebook or North Hill Communities plan?
- A series of Guidebook 101 virtual information sessions with a Q&A period will be hosted prior to the public hearing of Council – it's open to all; register online at Calgary.ca/guidebook. Alternatively, we invite you to learn more online via the Guidebook 101 video and facts about the Guidebook.
- Information about the North Hill Communities Local Area Plan can be found at Calgary.ca/NorthHill. A recording of the recent Guidebook & North Hill Communities Information Session is also available on that webpage.
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POLICY
Updated MDP and CTP approved by Council
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The 2020 Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and Calgary Transportation Plan (CTP) are now in effect. Council approved the plans through second and third readings of the bylaw during its Feb. 8 meeting.
The plans are The City’s long-range land use and transportation plans that help us plan and enable growth in our communities for everyone. They were updated to drive more positive outcomes for the social, environmental and economic outcomes of city planning.
It's important to note that the inclusion of the CTP as Volume 3 within the MDP makes it a statutory document. This will strengthen the interconnection between land use and transportation decisions related to development outcomes.
Also, through the consistent application of both plans we anticipate we'll maximize the benefits of compact growth for Calgary found within the MDP and CTP vision. For more information on why the updates were initiated, please read our rationale document.
To learn more about the 2020 MDP and CTP or to download copies of the documents, please visit calgary.ca/MDPCTP.
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
City and Chamber launch new conflict resolution tool to support frontline workers
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Reminding customers to follow public health orders can be awkward, stressful or even escalate to being dangerous.
A new online toolkit is now available to help frontline workers deal with people who aren't following the COVID-19 public health orders, including tools to de-escalate rising tensions and what to say when it's time to call for help.
Developed by The City and Calgary Chamber of Commerce in consultation with academic experts, the toolkit also includes operational solutions such as:
- offering a disposable mask that customers can safely pick up and put on themselves
- providing curbside pickup if possible
- signage
- physical distancing floor markers
To create the conflict resolution scenarios, The City and Chamber drew on experts in various fields, including Dr. Tavis Campbell with the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. Videos featuring Dr. Campbell and online information offer dialogue prompts with helpful customer service language to have those hard conversations.
View the toolkit here and please feel free share with your co-workers, employees and business networks who might need it: calgary.ca/conflictresolution.
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
New business shows Calgary’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well
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After being laid off at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, three Calgarians came together to do what others would find daunting: Open a new business.
Instead of calling it quits, a new idea took root for hairstylists April, Shelley and Amanda when they decided to open their own hair salon. Rootbar specializes in one-hour luxury services, tailored to Calgarians' busy lifestyles.
The trio say it's been scary to open a new business during a global pandemic, but the process was made easier because of quick and helpful interactions with The City.
Read the full story to learn more about The City’s business support services.
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
ShopHERE program now in Phase 2
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The City launched the second phase to ShopHERE powered by Google program, with a goal of getting up to 400 businesses online. The COVID-19 crisis has continued to highlight the importance of brick-and-mortar stores having an online presence to sell their goods and services.
The realities facing small business are challenging. Many businesses need a separate avenue to reach customers without adding more operating costs. To have an eCommerce site that enables online sales is essential for many small businesses' survival.
ShopHERE’s goal is to get 50,000 eligible companies Canada-wide online so they can reach a wider audience for their products and bring in new revenue. They hire university students to build websites for registered small businesses, including home-based companies, artists, service providers such as hair salons and auto shops, and more.
The offer is first come, first served with 400 spots available. Business owners can learn more about the program through this video, and register online.
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An announcement was issued today that Matthias Tita is retiring this spring after a 36-year career in city planning, including 23 years with The City of Calgary. Matthias is currently the director of Calgary Growth Strategies, chair of the Calgary Planning Commission and chief professional planner serving Council at public hearings. His experience and unwavering commitment to planning cities for people will be missed. His last day will be May 28.
Matthias graduated with a degree in architecture and urban planning in 1985. His career has spanned two continents, both the private and public sectors and planning in two languages. Since joining The City in 1998, he’s led and made significant contributions to planning policies, area and city-wide planning and, most recently, Calgary Growth Strategies.
He’s also been instrumental in redevelopment and land use planning that resulted in plans for the East Village, Stampede Park, Beltline and the future West Village, and the approval process for many landmark projects, including the Bow Tower downtown.
Matthias’ multiple roles will be filled through an interim appointment in due course. Meanwhile, please join us in congratulating Matthias on his impressive career, and thanking him for his 23 years of city planning leadership and public service.
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