Chinook Local Area Plan
Chinook Communities Local Area Plan
The changes to the development rules will be implemented through the creation of LAPs. We are in LAP 8: Chinook which includes Elboya/Britannia, Parkdale, Windsor Park, Meadowlark Park, Mayfair/Bel Aire, and Manchester.
You can learn more about the LAP at the City webpage Chinook Communities Local Area Plan.
Timeline / Status
Phase 1 Envision(Chapter 1): is more visionary in nature and establishes the high-level direction for the plan.
Phase 2 Explore(Chapter 2): begins with broad and initial discussions with the public on an initial concept highlighting potential focus areas for growth. That concept is further refined and discussed with the Working Group and other participants.
This phase is complete. It is summarised in the City Engagement Booklet “Community redevelopment that was delivered to all EBCA homes.. The Booklet introduced, for discussion, the concept of “Moderate-to Large Scale Growth- Four Stories or higher”. This concept caused concern amongst many residents. However, at a Working Group (see below) meeting on March 19, this concept was withdrawn.
Phase 3 Refine (Chapter 3) May 28 to June 24: focuses on further refinement of the draft urban form and building scale maps along with more detailed and further discussions on policy refinement, investment and community improvements. Engagement Booklets will be arriving in mailboxes the week of May 28.
Phase 4 Realize: Committee and Council Review and Decision: Winter, 2025
EBCA Action
The EBCA has two representative on the LAP Working Group that advise the city Planners who will write the plan. They will advocate on behalf of the communities to encourage the City to focus densification along transportation corridors and activity centres (e.g. Macleod Trail), and preserve the character of the hearts of our neighbourhood.
PLEASE CONTACT US AT development@elboyabritannia.com if you have any questions or comments.
The City Will be conducting numerous public engagement in person and virtual sessions that solicit feedback that will inform them in their creation on the LAP.
Resident Action
Review the City and EBCA information about the LAP.
Attend City and ECBA information sessions. Make your concerns known.
Participate in the Public Hearings.
We will be updating this webpage regularly. We will provide updates on the LAP creation process and solicit your feedback and input.
Protect the Hearts of Our Neighbourhoods
The Elboya and Britannia neighbourhoods, originally developed in the 1950's, predominantly consist of single-family homes on large lots, with tree-lined streets. Our neighbourhood character is worth protecting.
Elboya and Britannia are at a watershed point regarding how future redevelopment in our neighbourhoods will be directed. As described below, the City is creating the Chinook Communities Local Area Plan which will change the rules on what types of buildings can replace your neighbour’s house.
The EBCA is committed to advocate to protect our neighbourhood character.
Changes to the Development Rules
Under the current Land Use Bylaw, Elboya and Britannia are designated R-C1 (Residential – Contextual One Dwelling Districts) and the rules specify that a house can only be replaced by another house.
However, the City of Calgary is committed to increase the residential density in established communities like ours. Their goal is to have 50% of Calgary’s future population growth to be accommodated in existing established communities.
Through the development of a Local Area Plan ("LAP"), traditional RC-1 neighbourhoods will see increased density by allowing houses to be replaced by Duplexes, Rowhouses, Townhouses, Infill Townhouses (narrow lot), and other larger multi unit buildings. Additional Secondary suites will be allowed in these multi buildings. Only 50% of the dwelling unit will have on site parking.
Why Do We Care?
You likely moved to Elboya Britannia because you wanted a house with a yard in a stable, quiet, family-oriented neighbourhood with mature trees. Densification will, over time, negatively impact these values:
· Stable: we will never know what the person who buys our neighbours house will do with respect to redevelopment.
· Quiet, family oriented: increased cars, parking, traffic, safety issues.
· Mature trees, greenspace: the new rules allow higher lot coverage (more building, less greenspace) which will reduce greenspace and trees.
Altadore and 33 Avenue SW are examples of what our future could look like.
Additional Information
The following are links to City information sites and EBCA discussions.
City Webpage on Local Area Plans https://www.calgary.ca/planning/local-area.html
Chinook Local Area Plan Webpage https://engage.calgary.ca/Chinook