Representing Brentwood on Planning Matters
There are currently 150 active Community Associations (CAs) in Calgary. We all share a common mandate to provide programs, services, and communications to our residents, relying on many volunteers to achieve those goals.
CAs are considered to be “directly affected” by community planning items and are therefore entitled to have notice from, and to be heard by, decision makers. In Brentwood, the Development and Transportation Committee (DTC) receives and comments on planning matters, most often Development Permits. Planning items may elicit widely differing opinions and perspectives—which is welcomed! DTC members present information through our website, the Bugle, or direct mailouts to members. We try to provide advice, background information, or community context to help clarify how proposals are evaluated (such as the relevant Land Use Bylaw sections).
We try to provide as much information as possible about the planning process and how to participate. What the BCA generally does not do is take a stance on City-wide issues, such as fluoride or the 40kmph speed limit. We focus on issues that directly impact our community and trust that our residents will research and form their own opinions on others.
The recent debates around the Guidebook for Great Communities have been a sizable challenge for us. Going back to December 2019, many Bugle DTC articles have covered this proposal in a factual nature, complete with links to City information sites. However, by keeping neutral we may not have conveyed to Brentwood residents the potential impacts on our community.
The Guidebook contains 131 pages of information, full of planning jargon: typical citizens reading this on the City’s website are often hard-pressed to decipher the content, just as those of us without an accounting background would struggle to comprehend a lengthy financial document.
One resident commented that he had downloaded the Guidebook, but didn’t know what to look for, so was unable to form an opinion on it—he needed help to interpret the document. After hearing this, we posted additional links on the DTC website and created a document outlining our concerns. https://developments.brentwoodcommunity.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Guidebook-for-Great-Communities-March-12-2021.pdf. Then we heard from many of our residents.
Overwhelmingly, what we heard from residents was that they understood that the City should not keep sprawling, but that densification had to happen sensitively and in the appropriate locations. Residents valued their R-C1 homes and had concerns about how redevelopment would happen near their homes. We reflected that in the BCA submission to City Council and in our presentations to Council.
There is a fine balance between representing our residents or leading them. We will continue to try to present information accurately and to offer a balance.
Please consider joining the Community Association. http://brentwoodcommunity.com/. If we have your contact information, we can reach you with updates and mailouts. The more members we have in the BCA, the more voices we represent, which is also important at Council Hearings. By supporting the BCA, we can continue to try to support our residents, whether through Planning issues, Brentwood Cares, or other programs that we offer. Thank you.
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
