First, thank you for your on-going support. This petition was started in Dec 2019 to prevent the construction of three over height towers on Ninth Avenue in Calgary’s oldest community, Inglewood. Since then, a land use change for one of the towers on Ninth Avenue was approved by Calgary City Council on December 17, 2019. The change to allow a 164 ft. (50 m.) cannot be reversed.
On June 4, 2020, a land use change for a second tower was supported by the Calgary Planning Commission (CPC) and is on its way to Council for final approval on July 27. If built as presented, it will destroy the historical Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club (est. 1936) as it will be in shadow of a 141 ft. (43 m.) tower, unable to grow grass or patrons to play in sunshine, therefore unlikely to continue operations. The wood and glass spire will change the face of heritage Ninth Avenue forever, destroying its pedestrian charm and viability for its businesses. An application for a third tower on 9th Ave on the site of Trail Appliances is also well advanced.
Three Key Points:
1. The development process and the rights of communities to discuss or challenge it has been deeply flawed because there are almost no meaningful opportunities to do so.
2. Everyone should know that the City is continuing to propose MAJOR changes to 9th Avenue but has spent minimal time reviewing the merits of any of the projects there. The Business Improvement Area (BIA) has commissioned an independent review of what is appropriate for 9th Avenue to be conducted by a well-regarded firm from Toronto - Urban Strategies. This report will give us all key insights into how conservation should be approached, and what will preserve the special nature of 9th Avenue. On July 27th when the debate over a second new tower goes to Council, we will join with the BIA in asking it to consider the report’s findings.
3. Compensation for bonus density is a cornerstone of capable city planning departments that generates much needed revenue for city finances. We discovered that the City hired a respected heritage firm in 2017 to create a density bonussing policy which was never shared with community stakeholders. The City is remiss in its duties because it has no consistent rules nor guidelines for density bonussing and is effectively giving away density value worth millions of dollars to developers for almost no compensation in the middle of a recession.
We have established a storefront at 1311 9 Avenue SE to gather thoughtful input from all Calgarians – see our coalition hub at www.icacalgary.com/save9ave or drop by to volunteer. Support from across the city means our campaign is gaining momentum.
THE ASK - circulate this update to your neighbors, your friends, and any lovers of Inglewood in your life! We have to make the City recognize that the debate over these new buildings on 9th Avenue must take place in the context of an informed debate driven by sensible, defensible, urban planning assessments. Please support this movement by submitting the above concerns by calling or writing your councilor, the mayor and copying to the link below:
https://forms.calgary.ca/content/forms/af/public/public/public-submission-to-city-clerks.html
Make your voice loud! WE HAVE ONE LAST CHANCE TO SAVE OUR HERITAGE MAIN STREET – Inglewood’s unique character, rich history, and strong values are at stake.