Oakridge Community Association (OCA): Civic Affairs Report
An open house on RioCan’s plans for its three phased development at Glenmore Landing was held at PBPCA on April 26. Very few details were provided except the approximate shapes and locations of the three residential tower blocks on previously City owned lands adjacent to 90 Avenue and 14 Street.
The first of several ‘Land Use Amendment’ applications has now been submitted to The City of Calgary. Please review this as it will have a substantial impact on traffic and visibility as you enter our local communities. The three towers will be taller than the current ones on 90 Avenue opposite Bay Ridge Drive with a maximum height of 115 m and a Floor Area Ratio of 11.0. Approximately 1,600 new residences are planned with limited clarity on road access improvements and increased parking stalls. We are not interested in preventing this densification project from proceeding but we think a layout like the Co-op Southland Crossing with residences away from the intersection would be preferred. Additionally, the overall layout should address improvements to the roads and pedestrian traffic, as well as what is planned for the open land on the south side of 90 Avenue.
If you have any comments, we kindly ask that you submit them via https://forms.calgary.ca/pl1285.html or through the Development Map: LOC2023-0130 by the deadline of July 6, 2023. Please provide the OCA with a copy your submission so we can help advocate on your behalf.
Southland Crossing – Co-Op Development and Construction Plans
Demolition of the existing mall is continuing and should be completed by the fall. Once complete, construction of the new food store will commence with a planned opening for late 2024, although deliveries of electrical gear may push this into early 2025. Once the new food store is open, Co-op will demolish the current food store, and begin the final phase of the project which includes residential development slated to be complete for 2026.
Oakridge Area Upgrade Projects
We have completed a survey of Palliser Dr residents to determine if they support a speed reduction and have submitted this to our Ward 11 and City representatives. We continue to support road calming measures at other pedestrian crossings, such as Southland Drive and Oakmoor Way where posted speeds are 60 km/hr. Please also use the City of Calgary 311 line or https://www.calgary.ca/311.html to document any road safety or infrastructure issues. The more residents document their concerns, the more likely it is that the City will investigate and address them.
OCA Facilities
The OCA Board is planning to proceed with a two-phase parking lot upgrade: upgrade of the existing parking lot during 2023 and an expansion to the North in 2024. The City will be contributing some funds for this effort. The OCA is also continuing to support the Enmax solar panel roof project with a planned implementation this summer. We continue to look at other climate enhancing opportunities such as bike racks and electric charging stations as part of an expanded car park, growing trees, working with the Oakridge Community Garden, etc. We are also discussing other improvements with ‘Oh My Oakridge’ such as bike routes between green spaces. Any other ideas are welcomed!
District 32
Our District 32 Meeting #20 was held on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Cedarbrae CA. Topics ranged from the RioCan expansion at Glenmore Landing and road safety to ‘Development Permits’ to future LAP issues.
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