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JUNE 2021 NEWSLETTER
Planning & Development
Our mission: To plan and enable building a great Calgary
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Calgary is a great place to make a living and a life. Planning & Development continues to support our local economy and the aspirations of landowners by processing planning applications and building permits. We've remained open for business throughout the pandemic, with a continued focus on providing great service for our customers and building great communities together.
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We've created a number of fee relief measures and process changes to support our business and industry customers during these challenging times. For a complete list of Planning & Development service changes, visit calgary.ca.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE
Development map improvements increase information access for industry, citizens
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We’ve done some significant work on the Development Map to increase the tool’s efficiency for development and land-use change applicants, and for individuals and communities interested in specific project proposals.
For applicants, one of the biggest improvements you’ll see is the addition of utility information. This will save you time in the project design and scope phase by eliminating the need for a pre-application meeting. It will also help you submit a more complete application when you’re ready. The utility layer on the map includes sanitary, storm, water line assignments, hydrant locations, rim elevations, pipe sizes, pipe lengths and pipe slopes.
For individuals and communities interested in development proposals, you now have online access to application plans and renderings. Earlier and easier access to these important pieces of an application will allow fuller transparency, more collaboration and more-informed communication between interested parties.
View the development map at calgary.ca/development and send us your feedback, and any questions, to planninghelp@calgary.ca or call us at 403.268.5311.
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COLLABORATION
Public hearing process under review
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The City is reviewing the public hearings process and invites your input by July 9.
Public hearings are opportunities for any individual or organization impacted by certain Council or Committee agenda items to provide their opinion directly to Council, and have it included in the public record.
Through the public engagement component, we’re exploring how the system could be more user-friendly and inclusive, and identifying what works well and what prevents people from participating in a public hearing. Online engagement opened June 14 and runs to July 9. The review team will present its findings along with improvement recommendations to Council by year end.
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
Reopening grants available to businesses hard hit by pandemic
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As Calgary reopens for summer, The City is supporting our economic recovery by providing reopening grants to businesses significantly impacted by the pandemic. Learn more at calgary.ca/business and if eligible, submit your grant application between July 2 and Aug. 10.
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
Tax deferral program offers relief for local hotels and motels
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Calgary hotels and motels experienced the lowest occupancy rates in any major market in Canada in the first part of 2021. The City is stepping up to provide support in the form of a 2021 Hotel/Motel Property Tax Deferral Program. The program allows qualified businesses to defer their property tax payment without penalty until Dec. 31, 2022. No application is required. The City proactively reviewed each property and mailed an information package to all hotels and motels. Learn more.
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COMMUNITY BUILDING
The Giving Wall: A pay-it-forward food initiative helping businesses and customers
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At participating restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, The Giving Wall enables Calgarians to buy a meal or gift card for someone who may not be able to pay for one. Local food writer Julie Van Rosendaal, who is a member of The City of Calgary’s Business Sector Task Force, is spearheading the program. The City is providing promotional support. Learn more and view a map of participating venues at calgary.ca/givingwall. |
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COLLABORATION
Local artists add life to concrete barriers around patios on public land
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Calgary's patios are open for business and looking even more colourful this season. Local artists are using concrete safety barriers as their canvas, creating works of street art that are giving restaurants and cafes with patio extensions a lively and eye-catching look.
The City is working with the Beltline Urban Murals Project (BUMP) and Business Improvement Areas to beautify temporary patio spaces constructed on public land. Restaurants, cafes and pubs are using the bump outs to help keep staff and patrons safe by allowing more space for physical distancing, while the concrete barriers protect pedestrians and patrons from traffic. And now, thanks to the street art project, those barriers are adding a touch of artistic flair for all to enjoy. Read more.
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
ShopHERE program successfully supporting Calgary businesses
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The City joined the ShopHERE powered by Google program last September to get small businesses and artists set up with ecommerce websites. Since then, the program has provided employment for 24 Calgary university students who set up the sites, and essential support for the 341 participating businesses.
One Calgary entrepreneur says the program helped her establish an art business at home. Read Addie Ruhl’s story.
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COMMUNITY BUILDING
New coffee shop models inclusion
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Timing was everything when Paul Constance wanted to open a new kind of downtown lobby coffee shop – one operated by employees with disabilities, inspired by his three-year-old daughter. Read how he took the idea and turned into reality with Lil E Café.
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