Background: For the past eight years, the contextual monitoring report has been part of the City's workplan as they monitor and evaluate the progress of permitted infill housing. As many of you know, contextual dwellings are considered "permitted" uses within the land use bylaw and are not circulated to you. In the past eight years, the City has been amending the land use bylaw to make changes that balance both industry and the communities concerns.
Update:
Based off the Planning and Development Meetings (http://agendaminutes.calgary.ca/sirepub/agdocs.aspx?doctype=agenda&itemid=48784)
The Committee recommended that Council receive this report for information; and direct Administration to conclude the monitoring reports regarding Contextual Dwellings. Administration has spent significant time over the past seven years working with stakeholders to monitor Contextual Dwellings resulting in a set of parameters that has continuously met targets and provided a balanced approach. Administration is committed to engaging with stakeholders on issues and concerns about infill redevelopment, as they arise, ensuring that solutions are responsive to the needs of stakeholders.
Summary of actions:
1. The city will be stop monitoring contextuals as they have met the objectives of the MDP of 40-60% contextual dwellings
2. Many of the concerns heard from the City were not related to contextuals but general infill redevelpment.
3. The city will work with their cross-corporate team to address many of the issues and concenrs about infill development.
Federation's position
The Federation was present at the 4 engagement meetings with community. As a result of the concerns heard, at the PUD meeting (April 12 2017) we provided conditional support of this recommendation, why?
– we understand the balanced approach the City was trying to achieve with redevelopment and meeting the needs of both industry and community. While contextual dwellings are not favourable for every community, we need to find a balance in terms of community life cycling and protecting community heritage.
–we understand that many of the issues were not with contextual dwellings but overall redevelopment such as process, construction phase, engagement etc.
– For the past 8 years, the issues identified were given to the in the wrong department, land use bylaw (LUB) sustaiment team. There are limitations to what the LUB team can tackle especially as it pertains to heritage and character. We believe we need a new approach that will actually tackle these concerns.
–Need a new an active avenue to address concerns. We recognize that the monitoring report was an active avenue for ourselves and our communites to have regular conversation with the City about our concerns and we recognize the loss of communicaiton when this monitoring ends.
Our position is asking for:
– working group that would address general redevelopment. This working group would meet frequently and would collaborate with the cross corporate team on concerns and issues. This group would consist of members from community, the city, Federation, and Industry. We understand that with the cease of monitoring we are losing an active avenue to talk about issues with redevelopment which is why we are proposing a working group to continue this conversation but also ensure the right people are at the table. The working group would:
-Explore a framework that addresses concerns for character and heritage
-Work with cross corporate team in the city on concerns and issues about infill redevelopment
-Commit to regular engagement and consists of community members, Federation, industry, and city
At this point, we have commitment from the City to work collaboratively together on this issue as well as Industry buy in. I will keep you updated on this progress. I know some of you will not be happy with my position but I felt it was well rounded and ensured we had progress in addressing our concerns. For the past eight years, the concerns that have been directed towards this project should have been dealt with cross-corporately so I am advocating for this movement. If you have concerns about the position I have taken, I am happy to speak with you about it. I am also happy to circulate my letter to you as well.
This report will be going to Council on APril 24th.
Carrie