The goal of the CBMCA’s Planning and Development Committee is to protect and enhance the character of the built environment in Cliff Bungalow-Mission by engaging with developers, property owners, and the City of Calgary to advocate for our community’s built form, heritage and overall livability. It also engages with City planners regarding planning legislation affecting the area, such as the soon-to-be-law West Elbow Local Area Plan.
2024 was a busy year for our volunteer committee. We worked with developers and property owners to achieve the best results possible for Cliff Bungalow-Mission, but our vision for the community is increasingly undermined by the City of Calgary’s record of approving every application to upzone properties and build inappropriately oversized projects. We continue the fight to preserve the special character of the Mission District, but the losses are mounting, the heritage homes continue to fall, and the redevelopment pressures are growing.
Some Current Projects
Rezoning of Property – 608 22 Ave SW
An application to rezone the property at 608 22 Ave SW from M-CGd72 to M-C2 was approved by the City in early February. This will allow the applicant to demolish the heritage home on that lot, along with the small apartment building they own next door, in order to develop a five-storey apartment building on the combined site. We opposed this application and representatives of the CBMCA spoke against it at a public hearing of City Council.
Repositioning of Existing House and Construction of An Adjoining Home – 601 22 Ave SW
In one of the wackiest applications any of us have ever seen, this proposal would take the existing house on the southwest corner of 5 Street and 22 Avenue, turn it 90 degrees clockwise (so it would then be facing 5th), and then construct a new addition onto the north side of the existing house. The CBMCA opposed the applications to allow for this strange development, citing its negative impact on neighbouring properties and concerns about contextual setbacks, excess height, and failing to respect the scale and architecture of the existing heritage homes on this block within Cliff Bungalow’s historical conservation area. The City approved the application and the CBMCA will decide at a future meeting whether to appeal that decision.
Demolition of Heritage House and Construction of New Duplex – 1925 5A St SW
The CBMCA opposed this application due to the loss of a ‘century home’ on a very important and largely intact heritage streetscape as well as a design for the new building that did not “respect the historic style of homes in Cliff Bungalow or incorporate elements of the original building styles common to the community.” The City approved this project and the CBMCA filed a notice to appeal that approval. The developer, hoping to avoid an appeal, has indicated that they will come back with revised plans prior to the appeal date.
1925 5A St SW – Rendering – Front
These items are just a small example of many projects – some of them quite massive – that are either moving forward or are proposed for our community. We’ll bring you further updates in the next issue of The Mission Statement.
Click here to the Cliff Bungalow Community News home page for the latest Cliff Bungalow community updates.
Click here to the Mission Community News home page for the latest Mission community updates.
