Residents in a southwest Calgary community appreciate more open conversation on a controversial proposed development, but there’s little optimism that changes will be made.

Springbank Hill residents, who had gone as far as to seek an injunction on a 42-unit townhome development earlier this year, said they welcome a recent extension of a potential land-use discussion until February 2026.

The project at 30 Elveden Drive SW was postponed in September after area residents felt as though they hadn’t been adequately consulted, nor represented at council since their representative at the time, former Coun. Richard Pootmans had resigned his position.

Now, newly elected Ward 6 Coun. John Pantazopoulos put forward a request to have the proposed land-use review done sometime in February to give the community and the developer more time to meet.

“There’s been some progress, if you will, the community and the developer, they’re trying to work towards some sort of resolution,” Pantazopoulos told LWC.

He said he asked for the change to continue community engagement, but also to incorporate potential changes.

Pantazopoulos said that while the previous three councillors covering for Pootmans did their best, the type of conversations needed for a resolution didn’t take place.

“The reality is, not having somebody in the seat with the ability to talk to their council colleagues just really created a situation where those conversations couldn’t happen,” he said.  

“So, now that we’ve got a councillor in the office, we can… pick up that conversation and hopefully come to a resolution.”

While more conversations are welcome, Sara Austin, an area resident who has been a spokesperson for residents in the area, said that a meeting took place last week, and they came away frustrated with the developer’s proposal.

“They presented a plan that really had very only just cosmetic changes to it,” she told LWC.

Density and adherence to the area plan is key: Austin

At issue for the residents is the increased density of the proposed development. Austin said the current zoning for the area pegs the number of units at roughly 19.

She said the revised plan has no changes to the number of units, and only addressed the inclusion of rooftop patios, though the building height would remain the same. She said they also conceded to including semi-detached units along Elveden Drive, with townhouses on the interior.

“We were very clear with them in all of our communications that density is the primary concern that the community has for all the reasons we’ve listed around safety of pedestrians, traffic, slope stability, all these things,” Austin said.

“If you address the density issue, then all these other things magically resolve themselves, but they have made no compromises on density.”

B&A Studios, the consultant for the 30 Elveden Drive development, confirmed that the project will be readvertised under a new land-use district in February.

“Following ongoing conversations with the community, the Ward 6 Office, and the City, the applicant is currently working with City administration to develop a revised land use district that aims to achieve improved outcomes for neighbouring residents, the community, and the City,” read an email from Martha McClary at B&A.

“More details on the proposed new land use district will be shared with residents in the new year, along with additional opportunities to provide feedback to the developer and the City.”

The developer said they appreciate that the community is willing to continue meeting with them.

“The feedback we have received is helping shape revisions to the application and will strengthen the proposal for the community,” read a statement from developer, Kyle Wurzer.

Austin said they’ve made it very clear to the developer that they are a community willing to stand up for itself. She said the ball is in the developer’s court.

“Right now, we’re not seeing any positive signals from the developer that they’re willing to present as a solution that would be acceptable to the community,” Austin said.

“I can’t, at this point, say that I’m optimistic that they will come back with a revised proposal that addresses our concern. I could say I’m hopeful, but not terribly optimistic at this point.”

The matter will be heard at a public hearing in February.