Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Plan Highlights
Current Context
The Chinook Communities are located south of downtown, straddled by Macleod Trail S with the communities of Bel-Aire, Britannia, Elboya, Mayfair, Meadowlark Park, Parkhill, Windsor Park, Manchester, a small naturalized area north of the Glenmore Reservoir, and a south portion of Manchester Industrial on the east side of Macleod Trail S.
Future Evolution
The Chinook Communities Local Area Plan was developed to help guide where and how this area can continue to evolve over time. An overview of some of the future community improvements that are envisioned for the area as well as key locations where different types of new development are envisioned are summarized below.
Key Moves
The Plan’s key moves are aligned with the core values, found in Chapter 1.
Flexible Industrial Development
Supporting Manchester industrial transition and Manchester Industrial triple mixed-uses
- Allowing additional mixed-uses (such as residential, commercial, and industrial) in strategic areas – primarily east of Macleod Trail S along the western side of the Manchester Industrial area.
- Signaling opportunities for new investment (such as supporting the Barley Belt as a cultural destination, providing streetscape improvements, investing in parks and open spaces, and enhancing the pedestrian and cycling connections).
Parks, Open Spaces, and Natural Areas
Improving linkages for passive and active recreational opportunities
- Highlighting opportunities for east-west pathway linkages along the Elbow River, Stanley Park, Riverdale Park, and the Glenmore Reservoir.
- Identifying opportunities for new civic facilities and community spaces near LRT stations and Main Streets.
- Expanding the urban forest as well as parks and open spaces within Windsor Park and east of Macleod Trail S.
Main Streets
Improving the public space and convenience of east-west connections for pedestrians
- Supporting enhanced public spaces and opportunities for placemaking and new residential and commercial development along Macleod Trail S.
- Providing additional opportunities for community-scale commercial businesses and homes surrounding 50 Avenue SW.
Mobility and Housing Choices
Improving connectivity between housing options and transit infrastructure
- Highlighting opportunities for improvements to mobility networks and east-west connections, especially across Macleod Trail S and Elbow Drive SW.
- Supporting a range of housing diversity while focusing higher growth at strategic locations, such as transit station areas, Activity Centres, Main Streets, and community corridors.
Transit-Oriented Development
Improving safety, connectivity, wayfinding, and accessibility within transit station areas
- Envisioning the area around the Chinook LRT station as a regional employment centre.
- Providing more opportunities for mixed-use development surrounding the 39 Avenue LRT station.
- Envisioning a potential future infill LRT station at 50 Avenue S.
Focus Areas for New Development
Key locations for commercial development
Neighbourhood Commercial
Opportunities for new commercial amenities are envisioned at key nodes along Macleod Trail S (at 39 Avenue S, 42 Avenue S, 50 Avenue SW, and 58 Avenue SW), and along 61 Avenue SW, connecting the Chinook LRT station to CF Chinook Centre. Elbow Drive SW is envisioned as a community corridor with commercial opportunities concentrated around Britannia Plaza Shopping Centre.
Key locations for mixed-use development
Neighbourhood Flex
Opportunities for new mixed-use development (either fully residential, fully commercial or a combination of both) are envisioned along Macleod Trail S, 50 Avenue SW and Mission Road SW as well as into Manchester (primarily between Macleod Trail S and the CPKC freight rail corridor) and into Manchester Industrial (east of the Red Line LRT near transit station areas).
Key locations for residential with local shops
Neighbourhood Connector
Primarily residential with different housing types with opportunities for small local-focused shops are envisioned predominately along Elbow Drive SW, 4 Street SW, 57 Avenue SW, 58 Avenue SW, 38A Avenue SW, and the western portion of Mission Road SW.
Key locations for triple mixed-use development
Industrial Transition/Special Policy Area
Opportunities within the Manchester Industrial Special Policy Area along the east side of the Red Line LRT alignment support an industrial transition that allows for industrial, complementary commercial, and ancillary residential uses. The Industrial Transition in Manchester allows for the highest integration of triple mixed-uses.
Key locations for residential development
Neighbourhood Local
Opportunities for residential homes or home-based businesses continue to be predominant throughout the Plan area for communities west of Macleod Trail S.