Members of a city committee voted in favour of selling a parcel of land that creates a buffer between Glenmore Landing shopping centre and two busy Calgary roadways.
Councillors on the Infrastructure and Planning Committee voted 8-3 in favour of the disposition of 5.48 acres of land on the south and east borders of the complex, directly adjacent to both 90 Avenue and 14 Street SW.
The public was also there to have its say on the land sale, with most, if not all, speaking more directly to the development itself than the disposition of the parcel. It’s been a contentious issue from the outset, with the issue of selling parkland being the most recent hurdle.
Holly Hoye, a 20-year resident of the nearby community of Bayview, which abuts the Glenmore Landing location and also the Glenmore Reservoir, said she was strongly in favour of the sale. She said living in the area for two decades has given her a broad view of how the area is used.
“I have driven, cycled and walked past and through this area thousands of times over the last 20 years and the only use of the land I have observed are a couple of bus benches and numerous signs advertising afterschool programs and services in the area,” she said.
“I struggled to remember seeing any people using that area as parkland. No picnics, no frisbee, no one watching sunsets. Let’s be clear: Area residents opposing the sale of this underutilized land for doing so because they fear the change that increased density may have. The parkland argument is a smoke screen for hyperlocal opposition.”
Opposition tied to the development
Much of the opposition was tied to the actual development itself and the impact it would have on the area. Many of the speakers seemed to be referring to the Glenmore Reservoir park spaces and not necessarily the strip of land next to the shopping centre.
Still, the massive Rio Can development, which could see up to six towers and 3,000 people call it home, would have a significant impact on the local ecosystem, traffic patterns and parking availability, citizens said.
Lesley Farrar, a member of the steering committee for the group The Community for Glenmore Landing Preservation, said she took offense to their opposition being called a smokescreen.
“I really, really care about Glenmore Reservoir park lands, and I truly believe that they are at risk,” she said.
Farrar said they haven’t seen information on the impact of the towers, particularly as it relates to shading, impact on nearby wetlands, and the creation of wind tunnels accessing the reservoir.
“There will also be 15 years of construction noise that echo over the reservoir. This is a wildlife corridor. This is where birds migrate. We see that all the time on the reservoir and again – migrating birds are attracted to high rises, especially at night. We will see an increase in bird strikes,” she said.
Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Penner said she could understand the frustration of residents around the uncertainty of what’s going to be created. She said, however, there was no way to figure out how to best use the land if the land sale didn’t move forward.
“If we’re not opened up and even entertaining the sale of the land, then those who want to develop it aren’t likely to put forward any plans at all,” she said.
The land use change for the area was being moved along concurrently with the sale. That will be discussed at the Calgary Planning Commission and then at a council public hearing. After that, development permit issues will be ironed out. That’s where many of the community concerns could be addressed, Coun. Penner said.
“I would encourage residents to continue to provide that feedback along those stage gates, should we progress to them,” she said.
The item will come before a full meeting of Calgary city council on Jan. 30.
