Development Update: Onward Homes at 108 Mission Road

Yesterday we saw over thirty people show up and take time out of their day to provide valuable input on this land use item. Like you, this issue has been at the top of my mind and the minds of my staff for months. I know it was not easy for you, and I can’t emphasize enough that it also was not an easy decision for me. In fact, it is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make so far as Councillor. But I signed up for this, and I was clear during my campaign that I would be honest and clear about every decision I make. That is why I’m sending you this message.

Your views and opinions carried significant weight for me and the Ward 8 Office as we worked through the process of getting to yesterday’s hearing. Your collective dialogue, openness, and conversations were crucial to all of this.

The challenge of providing housing for all Calgarians while respecting the place others already call home is significant, and it’s even more challenging once it reaches the floor of a Public Hearing.

This proposal has been uniquely complex. It began before I took my Council seat and involved balancing the need for housing with the concerns and impacts to your community, what you love about it, and the struggles you’re facing.

I emphasized this point during my debate because these are my priorities. Council and the Mayor have also said time and time again that we must listen to our communities while prioritizing affordable housing for all Calgarians.

Something that stuck with me throughout the Hearing yesterday was that nearly every speaker said they supported affordable housing but had concerns about the project. This speaks volumes to both your empathy for other Calgarians who do not have housing security, and your love for your community.

This hearing was one of the first times the convergence of these two priorities came to Council in one project, and the outcome was our attempt to prioritize affordable housing while being sensitive to community needs. I know for many of you this attempt will not be satisfactory.

There is still more work to be done before this comes back to us following the pending approval of the development permit. I recognize that many of you will be frustrated with the outcome. I understand why, but I want you to know that this is not a barrier to continuing to work together during the next stages of this project.

Through the past few months, our office has been committed to working with the community, the applicant, and City teams and stakeholders to explore and advocate for alternatives and solutions that would strike the balance we know we must reach.

The outcome of this work and the dedication of all stakeholders involved has resulted in the applicant providing the revisions for the scaled-down proposal we saw yesterday while providing time to work with all parties on the next set of concerns that could only be addressed at the development permit stage.

By taking this step, Council retains control over the final decision which will continue to be informed by what you tell us. Taking a measured approach means listening to your comments and questions, providing answers, advocating with other stakeholders, and making tough calls on how to move forward.

Moving forward with disagreement is one of the biggest challenges I’ve discovered since taking on the role of Ward 8 Councillor. We are the heart of Calgary, and our ward has a diversity of needs and pressures. Please know I will always listen, engage, and explain my rationale for how I vote and the work we do.

Here's what to expect moving forward

• An Amendment was made to the specific wording of the proposed Direct Control Land Use District (DC) Bylaw to reflect the scaled-down revisions to the project including decreases in units and the height/number of floors, increases in parking stalls, and changes to setbacks and other details).
• The item has gone through First Reading of the Bylaw but will not be completed until Second and Third readings of the Bylaw after the development permit is ready for approval.
• Before approval, you can provide comments to the file manager, the applicant, and to the Ward 8 Office.

Summary of changes to the project

• Building footprint shifted toward Mission Road and further away from properties;
• Greater setbacks provided from neighbouring properties on the east and north sides;
• Decreased maximum height of 18m (from 22m) as measured from the south side;
• Decreased maximum height to 16m (from 20m) as measured from Erlton Terrace;
• The approximate expectation would see 4-storeys on the Mission Road side and 3-storeys on the Erlton Terrace side further adding to massing and step-back revisions;
• Original proposal was 6-storeys and the previously updated proposal was 5-storeys;
• Parking increased from 19 stalls to 28 stalls;
• Parkade access relocated to Mission Road, with no parkade access from Erlton Terrace to the north;
• Proposed removal of East-facing balconies (to be addressed at the Development Permit stage); and
• Reduction of total units from 61 to 45.

View the amended bylaw document here

How to provide feedback on the development permit

• File manager and application status
• Ward 8 office: email us at ward8@calgary.ca with the subject heading: "Onward Homes Mission Road Development Permit"

Sincerely,
Nathaniel Schmidt
City of Calgary Ward 8 Councillor 
Calgary.ca/Ward8