In September 2023 the West Elbow Local Area Plan (WELAP) process began. It is being led by a city planning team working with the 16 communities in this WELAP.
The objective of this planning effort is to develop a growth plan for the combined area of these 16-communities. It is similar to the past area redevelopment plans which the city developed with individual communities. The LAP is much larger in scope involving multiple (in our case 15 other) communities which makes this effort very complex. The result is intended to build on the strengths of individual communities and enhance the interconnectivity and amenities of this 16-community area. It will provide guidance and direction on future development, investment and community improvement decisions.
The WELAP initiative is driven by the city’s need to prepare for and manage its expected growth over the next 30 years. The goal is to have 50% of new growth placed in the city’s developed areas. Historically, most growth has been in greenfield communities at the edge of the city. The WELAP will recommend where and how additional density should be placed across communities.
One feature of the WELAP process includes the development of heritage guidelines for historic communities like Scarboro. The intent is to enhance the heritage characteristics of these communities which could result in restrictions on new development.
It is important for residents to become informed about the WELAP process and provide input at the city and community engagement sessions. Residents are encouraged to learn more about the WELAP. Your ideas, suggestions, input and direction are important.
Scarboro Town Hall.
On September 20th 2023, the Scarboro Community Association (SCA) kicked off its start to the West Elbow Local Area Plan (WELAP). A Town Hall meeting was held for Scarboro residents. The meeting was well attended – more than 70 Scarboro residents were in attendance. Information about the WELAP was presented - including the objective, process, and how Scarboro residents can get involved. There was lots of discussion that included topics such as:
The type of development that might become the output of the WELAP
Heritage guidelines and what consideration would be given to the previous work undertaken by the Scarboro community
The distinct character and influence of the Olmsted designed community
The impact and enforcement of the Anderson Caveat
Opportunities to work with other communities to optimize elements of the WELAP
The housing and affordability task force’s recommendations and City Council’s approval of the recommendations and what it means for the WELAP going forward
The City’s engagement processes and upcoming WELAP events
With the City’s launch of the WELAP project in the 16 participating communities, it was noted that this is an opportune time for residents to become informed and then get engaged. The SCA plans to provide the community with regular updates on the WELAP work during this 18-to-24-month effort.
The SCA is also wanting to receive regular input and feedback from Scarboro residents. This communication will include future town hall meetings, newsletter articles, e-blasts, a WELAP page on the SCA website and a WELAP advisory committee to support the SCA board and Scarboro WELAP representatives.
Residents are encouraged to express their interest in participating in the Scarboro WELAP advisory committee. Email us at hello@scarborocommunity.ca or planning@scarborocommunity.ca
More INFO & How to Get Involved.
As part of the City’s Phase 1: Envision stage of the WELAP, residents are encouraged to provide input on the community’s:
History
What they love about their community and current challenges it is facing
What is important for future generations
Last week, a West Elbow LAP booklet was delivered to each household in Scarboro from the City of Calgary. If you did not receive a booklet they can be downloaded from the city website calgary.ca/WestElbowPlan.
Please review the booklet and provide your feedback. We want all residents in our community to get involved.
The City has setup Local Area Plan Engagement Stations (see picture below) in participating communities. These information boxes will be stocked with engagement booklets and other material throughout the project providing updates on the WELAP as well as information on how to stay informed and engaged.
There are many ways to get involved in this important work.
We’ve listed five ways:
Complete the feedback form at the back of the booklet and mail it before October 24, 2023 (postage is included)
Provide feedback online: calgary.ca/westelbowplan by October 24, 2023
Join an in-person or online engagement session as follows:
Online sessions
• Tuesday October 3 at 7-8.30 pm
• Monday October 23 at 7:30-9 pm
(Registration is required for both these sessions – this can be done online at calgary.ca/westelbowplan)
In-person session
• Wednesday October 11 @ 6-8 pm
(Scarboro Community Association Hall, 1737 14 Ave SW,
drop in – registration not required)Apply to join one or both of the West Elbow LAP Working Groups:
The City is providing the public with an opportunity to get involved at a deeper level by joining the WELAP Working Group or West Elbow Heritage Guidelines Working Group. Residents can apply via the same ENGAGE website and registration for these working groups is open from now until October 24th. Apply at: calgary.ca/WestElbowPlanYour Scarboro Community Association is setting up a Scarboro advisory committee to support the Board and Scarboro’s WELAP representative. We are looking for a diverse group of people so as to get a good cross section of the community. Please tell us if you’d like to be part of this work. Contact Brent Fraser, Scarboro WELAP Representative, at email: planning@scarborocommunity.com
Some background.
The City of Calgary has significantly restructured the planning process for new residential development using a tool called the ‘Local Area Plan’ (LAP) in order to guide growth and new development. Scarboro is part of the ‘West Elbow Local Area Plan’ (WELAP) along with 15 other communities.
Current State: ‘Single Family Dwellings’ in Scarboro
Currently, almost all properties in Scarboro are designated as ‘R-C1’ (residential one-family dwellings). To build a townhouse or multiplex in Scarboro requires an application for land use re-designation. These applications require community feedback and they go to City Council for final approval.
With the adoption of the Local Area Plan, density & diversity can be added. The Local Area Plan (LAP) will allow for a much broader range of residential buildings, including single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses & rowhouses.
Once the West Elbow LAP is complete, City planners will refer to the LAP policies when assessing applications for new development permits and land use re-designations. These policies are contained within The Guide for Local Area Planning. They also provide the foundation for a new bylaw for ‘Local Neighbourhood Housing’, expected to be proposed and to be made statutory by 2025.
In September 2023 City Council approved the recommendations put forth by the Housing & Affordability Task Force including a recommendation to make R-CG the base zoning for all of Calgary. For this to become final, a new residential bylaw would need to be approved (possibly Q2 2024) combining the zones of R-C1, R-1, R-C2, R-2, and R-CG all into one ‘local neighbourhood housing district’ (R-CG). Even if the new land use bylaws are not immediately implemented re-designating land use, having the West Elbow LAP made a statutory document will make it easier to re-zone the land use designation to one of a higher density.
City Documents
Questions or concerns.
If you have questions or concerns about the West Elbow Local Area Plan, please email the Planning Committee at planning@scarborocommunity.com.
