Local Area Plans – A District Model Planning Approach
Good neighbours sometimes work together, perhaps to build a fence, apply for parking permits, or pave their alley. It makes sense for neighbours to collaborate on a change or redevelopment affecting their property; this kind of shared and collaborative approach could be called a “district model”.
Local Area Plans (LAPs) are based on district model planning, and you’ll be hearing a lot about them in the coming months and years. Brentwood will be part of the District 14 LAP, which also includes Dalhousie, Charleswood, Collingwood (Triwood), Cambrian Heights, Highwood, and Rosemont.
LAP areas are determined largely by geography; shared roadway boundaries such as John Laurie Boulevard, parks such as Nose Hill, shopping districts, and other amenities which shape the way we live, work, learn, and play in our neighbourhoods.
Since our communities are joined by these factors, it makes sense to plan for future redevelopment together as well. For example, a change to John Laurie, or to building forms along Northmount Drive, would affect all of our communities. That is the idea behind LAPs: communities working together on redevelopment proposals that affect the broader area.
Of course, Brentwood is different from Cambrian Heights or Rosemont, in features, age of homes, build forms, and so on. Each community may have different goals and ambitions for future growth and may not necessarily want to follow the patterns in other communities.
A concern with the LAP model is that each community is one voice among many. How much say should neighbouring communities have in development changes proposed for areas of Brentwood?
For the City of Calgary, having one LAP for multiple communities results in fewer plans overall. This allows plans to be updated more frequently and easily, but it also means that the detailed Station Area Redevelopment Plan for our community will be absorbed into a broader LAP.
Another concern is how the LAP representatives are chosen. The City of Calgary selects the representation from applicants, who could be area residents, business owners, workers, and students, as well as representatives of the development industry and the community association. How much input should these different groups have?
Your view may depend on what redevelopment is planned near you, as has been the case with the pilot LAP for the North Hill area, which includes Crescent Heights, Renfrew, Highland Park, and neighbouring areas. Some of these communities face more development pressure from the LAP than others and opinions are divided as a result.
Information and density maps for the North Hill LAP can be found online at engage.calgary.ca/NorthHill; more information about Local Area Planning is available on the City of Calgary website.
Brentwood is slated to be involved in a LAP process within the next few years. The more we understand the process and potential concerns, the better prepared we will be when it is Brentwood’s turn.
If you are interested in community planning and redevelopment issues, we welcome new members to join us. Our meetings will be determined in accordance with AHS guidelines. Please contact the BCA for more information at [email protected] or at 403–284-3477.
Submitted by Melanie Swailes
On behalf of the BCA Development and Transportation Committee
