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External Circulation Package
Notice to Membership
Members of the Government Affairs Committee of NAIOP have been active over the past months to ensure the advancement of your interests with the City of Calgary. Among other initiatives, Committee representatives have been actively participating in three areas: (1) providing feedback to the City on the Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan 2009 (collectively, the “Plan It Documents”); (2) consulting with the City regarding suspended construction sites and the proposed City bylaw amendments; and (3) providing feedback to the City on its amendments to the Land Use Bylaw.Development and Transportation Plans
The Plan It Documents set out guidelines restricting urban sprawl and decreasing the resulting transportation demands. Members of the NAIOP Government Affairs Committee attended a meeting on April 14, 2009, with Mr. Glen Radway, Lead, Land Use Planning Sustainable City Program to discuss such plans. Correspondence from NAIOP to Mr. Radway was sent on April 17, 2009 setting out the NAIOP members’ concerns with the proposed Plans. One concern was the prescriptive nature of measures advocated within the Plans which may restrict the responsiveness of the private sector and reduce the economic competitiveness of the City as a whole. Another concern identified was the seemingly impractical and unnecessary push surrounding mass transit use. Upon receipt of revised drafts of the Plan It Documents dated May 8, 2009 being released, further feedback was directed by NAIOP to the City. While appreciative of the opportunity to provide additional feedback on this matter, NAIOP expressed disappointment with the revisions as the issues which were present in the first draft still remained. As this process continues, NAIOP is committed to working with the City to achieve a common goal of sustainability while still advocating for Calgarians’ access to and use of single occupancy vehicles and single family housing, as well as the ability of those in the development community to respond to user requirements.
Suspended Construction Sites
Due to economic changes over the past year, the City of Calgary is now facing possible public hazards, infrastructure damage, and community impact due to suspended construction sites with open excavations. Members of the Government Affairs Committee have been involved in the consultations that the City has held with industry in this regard. On April 6, 2009, the City of Calgary Development and Building Approvals (“DBA”) held an industry discussion and members of our committee were present to share their input on the proposed wording of amending bylaw 30M2009, as well as the DBA’s report to the Land Use, Planning and Transportation committee. At the conclusion of this meeting, City Administration noted that it was “committed to including a sunset clause on any short term or temporary solution and [proposed]… to work with a dedicated technical committee, comprised of industry representatives, over an appropriate period of time to create a long term solution.” NAIOP representatives were then present on April 15, when the DBA presented its report to City Council. Further, on May 12, 2009, a representative attended a meeting with City Administration and Calgary Economic Development (CED) where the City was seeking input on implementing performance security options. This meeting was generally in regards to short term solutions, and it was suggested that additional meetings be scheduled to discuss a phased approach to long term solutions.
Land Use Bylaw Amendments
The City of Calgary has also been consulting with industry in setting new Land Use Bylaws which numerous components including, but not limited to, the current zoning categories, industrial districts, rules for rezoning, and uses of land. The NAIOP Government Affairs Committee has been actively participating in these consultations attending, meetings with the City of Calgary, Development & Building Approvals on May 20, 2009 and June 9, 2009. Minutes of these meetings can be found at www.naiopcalgary.com/government/documents/Meeting_Summaries-External_Stakeholders.pdf .