Ward 1 - Sonya Sharp

September 2024 Newsletter

Hello, Ward 1!

Welcome, September!

As summer transitions to fall, we have important updates and reminders to share with Ward 1! This includes road safety as students return to school and upcoming opportunities for public engagement in city planning. There's a lot to stay informed about.

And though we don’t want to mention the "S" word (snow), it's still important to be prepared for the changing weather in Calgary. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and make sure you're ready for any surprises from Mother Nature.

I also want to thank the Ward 1 residents for your continued support and engagement! If you ever have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to listen and help in any way we can.

Best regards,
Councillor Sharp

Council update

Bearspaw South Feeder Main project update

We’re happy to share that repair work on 33rd Ave NW and 16 Ave NW is moving into its final stages, with great progress being made across all remaining sites.

At 33rd Ave. N.W. and Shouldice Park, all pipe repairs are complete, and crews are now focused on backfilling and paving, with work on curbs, sidewalks, and landscaping to follow. Site 4 is fully completed, and equipment has been removed.

On 16 Ave. N.W. and 33 Ave. N.W. (Site 5), backfilling and concrete work are well underway, and paving will begin shortly.

Construction Schedule Update

Thanks to steady progress, the roads are expected to reopen and the feeder main to be restored ahead of schedule!

Portions of 33 Ave. N.W., east of 83 St., will begin to reopen this weekend, with access to parking for residents. Detours on 16 Ave. N.W. are anticipated to be removed by Monday, September 16th, with minor lane closures for manhole access.

Additionally, crews will start filling the feeder main with water on Monday, a process that will take about three days, followed by water quality testing. The City is anticipating lifting all water restrictions by the weekend of September 21st-22nd.

Thank you for your continued patience and support as crews work hard to complete these repairs ahead of schedule.

Green Line LRT project next steps

On September 4, 2024, an urgent Strategic Meeting of Council was called to address the Government of Alberta’s decision to withdraw their funding from the Green Line project. As it stands, the main option is to wind down the project, meaning the Green Line would stop operations until other funding agreements can be made by all participating partners, which includes the City of Calgary, Alberta Government, and the Government of Canada.

During the meeting, Council unanimously approved two recommendations. Firstly, Mayor Gondek was asked to urgently discuss the plans for the wind down with Premier Danielle Smith. Additionally, Administration has been tasked with initiating plans for the wind down, with a presentation scheduled at the Regular Meeting of Council on September 17, 2024.

Councillor Sharp is an advocate for transit and the Green Line but is committed to finding a better alignment that prioritizes the needs of Calgarians who would rely on it the most. She is in favour of the project and is actively working to ensure that it serves Calgary in the most effective way possible.

Community updates

Traffic calming measures in Royal Oak

Councillor Sharp and the Ward 1 Office have received several inquiries about the new speed cushions and speed humps being installed in Royal Oak. Councillor Sharp appreciates your feedback and shares your commitment to road safety in our community.

In response to ongoing safety concerns on Royal Oak Drive, Councillor Sharp is fully supportive of this pilot program aimed at reducing vehicle speeds and improving pedestrian safety.

These traffic calming measures include speed cushions and speed humps, and are designed to slow down traffic to 30-40 km/h, making our streets safer for everyone.

The initiative is part of a broader effort by the City of Calgary to implement effective traffic calming solutions across the city. You can learn more about the pilot program and its expected benefits by visiting Speed Cushion and Speed Hump Pilot.

If you have additional feedback or concerns, we encourage you to submit them directly to the Mobility Department via the Citizen Web Portal.

Councillor Sharp remains dedicated to advocating for increased safety measures in our community, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of this project.

Westview Interchange Functional Planning Study: public open house

Melcor Developments and Qualico Communities, in collaboration with the City of Calgary, Rocky View County, and Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors, are developing a functional plan for a new interchange along Highway 1/TransCanada Highway. This new interchange will be located east of Old Banff Coach Road and west of the Valley Ridge and Crestmont neighbourhoods and will accommodate all modes of transportation.

The interchange is designed to provide access to new residential neighbourhoods planned for the west of Valley Ridge and Crestmont as part of the West View Area Structure Plan.

Residents are invited to attend a public open house for this study at Crestmont Hall on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

This is an opportunity for area residents to review the project, ask questions, and share feedback. For those unable to attend in person, an online survey is available at engage.calgary.ca/westview.

12 Mile Coulee Rd N.W. paving work

The City of Calgary is conducting significant road maintenance on 12 Mile Coulee Rd N.W., between 80 Ave N.W. and Lynx Ridge Blvd N.W.

Milling and paving preparations began earlier this month. Paving is expected to start Saturday, September 15, with the project anticipated to be completed by the end of September 2024. All dates are weather-dependent and subject to change.

Work Schedule:

Daytime: Milling and paving will continue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.
Nighttime: Additional work is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays, with some weekend activities planned.

Traffic and Local Impact:

Lane Closures: One lane on 12 Mile Coulee Rd N.W. will remain closed between 80 Ave N.W. and Bearspaw Meadows Way (Lynx Ridge Blvd), with alternating traffic in the open lane. Full-time flaggers are on-site to manage traffic flow, and the speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h. Access to local residences and the golf course is being maintained. Drivers should follow traffic control directions and avoid the area if possible.

Dust, Noise, and Vibrations:

Residents and businesses nearby may experience some noise, vibrations, and dust related to construction. Efforts are being made to minimize disruptions.

For ongoing updates and any changes to the schedule, please visit calgary.ca/paving.

144th Avenue North BRT Functional Planning Study

The Transportation Planning business unit is hosting a pop-up event, which aims to address the long-term transit needs in North Calgary through the outline of a plan for future stages of design and construction.

This drop-in session provides a valuable opportunity for the public to learn more about the project and contribute feedback that will help shape the future of transit in our community.

Date: September 28, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge

We encourage all interested to attend and share their thoughts on this important initiative. Your participation and input are vital as we work together to create a more efficient and sustainable transportation system for North Calgary!

Road Safety

As students resume school and activity around schools and playgrounds increases in Ward 1, we urge everyone to prioritize safety and remain vigilant while navigating the neighbourhoods. Please adhere to all speed limits in school zones and construction areas, and refrain from driving while distracted. For pedestrians, utilize marked crosswalks and always verify that vehicles have come to a full stop before crossing. It is essential for each individual to contribute to the safety of our streets by commuting responsibly.

Councillor Sharp is very committed to promoting road safety. If you have any traffic-related issues or concerns, we encourage you to reach out to our office for assistance.

Updates to City Services

Planning & Development Services newsletter: Dispatch

Stay informed with the latest updates from Planning & Development Services by subscribing to their newsletter, Dispatch! Learn about key initiatives, such as the Rowhouse Electrification Upgrades, and get valuable insights on managing electrical load for properties.

Whether you're a homeowner, developer, or business owner, this newsletter provides updates on services, policies, and opportunities to shape a resilient and sustainable Calgary.

Dispatch

Each edition has updates on land use and development!

Subscribe today!

Short-Term Rental Study Phase 2 engagement

From August 26 to September 30, 2024, Calgarians are invited to participate in an online survey to help shape short-term rental (STR) regulations.

As part of Calgary’s Short-Term Rental Study, The City is launching Phase 2 engagement to gain public feedback on short-term rental regulations, including business licensing rules. The purpose of the study is to address current and emerging issues while aligning with Calgary’s priorities on economic development, downtown revitalization, housing, hospitality and tourism.

Visit engage.calgary.ca/STR to share your perspective on Calgary's STR future

City Building Program; public engagement opportunities

Over the next few months, the City Building Program team wants to engage with Calgarians and seek their input on the proposed bylaw, with plans to present the Zoning Bylaw to Council for a decision in 2026. They are organizing both online and in-person sessions scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 20, 2024. For more information on session timelines and details, visit engage.calgary.ca/citybuilding.

An update on the overall City Building Program and the three documents (Calgary Plan, Zoning Bylaw, and Street Manual) will be provided to the Infrastructure and Planning Committee (IPC) on October 16, 2024. After that, the City Building Program team will review the final draft of the Calgary Plan with Calgarians, including a comparison of the current Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan to the proposed Calgary Plan. More details can be found on the online portal.

The Calgary Plan is scheduled to be presented to IPC on December 11, 2024. Following this presentation, the Calgary Plan will be brought forward for a Public Hearing of Council for first reading in Q1 2025.

In terms of progress, the City Building Program has been engaging with the public since October 2023. This has involved three phases, with the last phase running from June 24 to July 21, 2024, during which the team had interactions with 2,161 Calgarians at 23 community events, with a specific focus on engaging with equity-denied groups.

Categories: General, Newsletter