Linda Fox-Mellway, Ward 14
A southeast Calgary alderman wants community groups to be consulted in the early stages of redevelopment projects taking place in established communities, and says such consultations early in the process will reduce headaches further along in the planning process.
Ward 14 alderman Linda Fox-Mellway has put forth a Notice of Motion asking council to consult with key community stakeholders such as community association leaders, who often have sharply-focused ideas concerning redevelopment initiatives in established communities.
“The communities are involved with this; they should have the answers before we go out to the public. Let’s sit down with them first,” she said.
Ald. Fox-Mellway said that in the past community leaders were not always involved in the preliminary phases of land use planning talks, which resulted in much back-and-forth regarding when, what, and how changes should be made within an existing community.
“Let’s go to the community leaders first. Let’s get all the stuff hashed out that you know the public isn’t going to be happy with,” she said. “Make changes at the ground level, because they’re the ones… that have to answer questions.”
Roger Crowe, President of the Willow Ridge Community Association knows firsthand what it’s like to be a community leader concerned with new development affecting a long-established community. The city is looking at altering the landscape in the vicinity of the Anderson LRT station, adding a number of new housing units in high-density apartment projects. Mr. Crowe says he’s concerned with the plan, and would like to be consulted on redevelopment strategies.
“They need to be sensitive of the reality of the area,” he said. “They have to take that into consideration; what’s already there, and what’s been there - in the case of Willow Ridge – for forty years. And consider that in their plans, and the ramifications on that existing community and the existing citizens.”
He admits, however, that working with City Hall has gotten easier in recent times, and feels the City is working harder to listen to and process concerns of those who live in areas affected by redevelopment.
“I think some of the pressure is off,” he said, adding that a recession has eased some of the pressure to move forward with development plans as quickly as possible. “I think we have the luxury of time to some degree, and I think the city is availing themselves of that. Which is good.”
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