by: Colin Knoll, Director of Development KGCA
In this article, we will speak to our latest advocacy priorities and how the role as a CA and the Killarney Glengarry Development Committee (KGDC) has been evolving as of late. Note that in describing the role of the KGDC and its advocacy priorities, it does not include the comprehensive list of everything we advocate for as a development committee. That said, we do want to provide an initial view to our readers on our most recent advocacy priorities.
We will also provide an update on our feedback provided to the City for the Minto Viscount Bennett Application (2501 Richmond Road), provided in December 2024.
What Are Our Advocacy Priorities on Development?
As a development committee, we play a role in shaping the future of Killarney-Glengarry by educating and informing residents to engage in the development process, understand what is constructive versus non-constructive feedback, and how to get involved in development. We also respond to every single development permit application which takes a significant amount of time and resources, but we do this to benefit the community.
It’s important to note that the Land Use Bylaw is law, and the Land Use Bylaw sets the legal framework for what can be built in the City. KGDC works within the confines of the Land Use Bylaw to ensure developments align with community priorities, as set out in Killarney Glengarry Vision 2030 and the Westbrook LAP, both documents created through engagement with residents.
Link to Killarney Glengarry Vision 2030: https://www.killarneyglengarry.com/2030-vision-killarney-glengarry.
Link to Westbrook LAP: https://publicaccess.calgary.ca/lldm01/exccpa?func=ccpa.general&msgID=CTKccgAyqsD&msgAction=Download.
At the same time, we actively advocate for changes to the Land Use Bylaw when needed with City stakeholders, helping to shape a future that reflects Killarney-Glengarry’s long-term vision and values. We will continue to do this now, before and as soon as a new City Council is formed. We will engage you when we are ready to take this work on!
Land Use Bylaw: https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/calgary-land-use-bylaw-1p2007/land-use-bylaw-1p2007-21p2024-amended-2025-01-01.pdf.
Below are key areas of advocacy that the KG Development Committee has been focused on:
• Resident Engagement and Education – Helping residents understand the development process, understanding what constructive feedback is and what is not constructive, and how to navigate the Development Map (DMap) to stay informed and submit feedback. Link to the City’s Development Map: https://publicaccess.calgary.ca/lldm01/exccpa?func=ccpa.general&msgID=CTKccgAyqsD&msgAction=Download.
• Minimizing Upzoning Density– Advocating for thoughtful density and aiming to minimize spot upzoning and over density in areas where density is overwhelming to a neighbourhood.
• Neighbourhood Character and Design – Encouraging high-quality materials (brick, fibre cement, natural wood) to avoid cookie-cutter infills and maintain the area’s unique character.
• Community Interaction and Walkability – Advocating for infill design that improves neighbourhood connection and interaction, such as advocating for front porches, and commercial spaces on ground floor of large multi-units so folks can walk to commercial spaces wherever they are in five minutes.
• Tree Canopy and Greenery – Pushing for more trees, shrubs, and vegetation beyond minimum city requirements. We want to maintain the community’s tree canopy and have more greenery, shrubs, and vegetation on infill developments.
• Front-Facing Suites and Street Safety – We advocate for front-facing suites to improve street safety, supporting designs that encourage street-level interaction and create “eyes on the street” to create a safer and more connected community.
• Larger Garages and Parking Space – Ensuring that garage sizes are larger and wider to accommodate modern vehicles and that new developments provide sufficient residential and visitor parking.
• Quality and Durability in Construction – Encouraging builders to invest in Killarney’s future by using high-quality, sustainable materials that enhance the community’s long-term value. If developers choose to build here, we expect them to prioritize craftsmanship and durability, ensuring their projects stand the test of time.
• Family-Friendly Housing – Advocating for diverse housing options that support residents at every stage of life. We advocate for all homes i.e., four-bedroom town homes to support larger families, design elements in homes that allow seniors to age in place (including promoting laneway homes for seniors to age in place), and we also promote the preservation of 1950s bungalows so longtime residents can continue to call Killarney home.
The bottom line is that we want Killarney-Glengarry to be a place where residents can stay long-term, find housing that meets their needs at every stage of life, and the continue to invest in the community they call home.
Update On Minto
KGDC has engaged with the City regarding the Minto development at Viscount Bennet, providing detailed feedback during a consultation meeting in December. Our recommendations to the City focused on ensuring that the project aligns with KG priorities.
Key recommendations included:
• Capping density at 60 units per acre (~720 units) instead of the initial 2,500-unit proposal.
• Limiting building heights to a maximum of three to four storeys to ensure the development remains compatible with the surrounding community and avoids excessive massing and shadowing.
• Advocating for significant improvements to pedestrian and vehicle transportation, including significant enhancements and better access to the Crowchild Trail bridge and Crowchild Trail.
• Advocating for significant improvements to transit, ensuring that all ages have better and more accessible transit service in the area to support less traffic and vehicles on the road.
• Requesting a comprehensive infrastructure and traffic study to assess potential impacts on roads, transit, and community services.
• Park placement to be in the northwest side of the development for better accessibility and community use.
• Adequate parking for residential and commercial spaces.
• Encouraging commercial space on the ground floor to encourage vibrancy and a community to have added amenities in a unique part of the city.
The City will be providing more detail in February, and we will provide updates on this project as soon as the information becomes available.
Note that we are still very early in the development process on this application, and further community engagement will take place once the development permit application is submitted.
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