This is the official website for Gian-Carlo Carra, City Councillor for Ward 9 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Gian-Carlo explains the outcome of the most recent Meeting of Council which includes the Notice of Motion to cut the red tape around secondary suites and the outcome of the Pedestrian Strategy that was brought forward by the Transportation Department.
The City of Calgary is currently in the process of reviewing the Railway Corridor Policy. At the March 21st Strategic Meeting of Council, Administration presented the current approach to processing development permit applications adjacent to rail and what they are doing to improve the framework for addressing current issues. Council directed Administration to consult with community members and report back no later than Q2 2016 with a terms of reference that includes deliverables, scope of work and a timeline for creating an improved Railway Policy Framework.
On Monday, March 14th Gian-Carlo is putting forward a Child Care Notice of Motion requesting that Administration review all the City of Calgary owned buildings, and future buildings, where child care services are not allowed and look at what it would take to make child care services legal within these buildings.
Allowing for more child care services in city owned buildings, including social housing and offices, could have a significant impact on families in Calgary and help work toward our mission of Great Neighbourhoods.
On Saturday, February 20th Team Ward 9 hosted our first Community Objectives Workshop or "COW" in the communities of Erlton, Parkhill and Rideau-Roxboro. This was a chance for community members, business and social institution to weigh in on the issues that affect them and for Team Ward 9 to collect valuable information that will be incorporated back into our strategic plan.
Watch Gian-Carlo's post-workshop overview and get ready for our next COW, which is happening on Saturday, March 12th for the communities of Bridgeland-Riverside and Renfrew!
On February 8th, 2016 Council will be looking at another interesting land use item at the Public Hearing.
John Howard Society, based in Inglewood, runs Bedford House - a federally regulated halfway house.
Currently, Bedford House is located in the Victoria Park area but is required to relocate as their current lease is set to expire. A new building is slated for Ward 9's Manchester Industrial area, though it will take at least 3 years for the new Bedford House to be constructed.
Cllr. Carra, along with Cllr. Chabot, have worked with the John Howard Society to find a temporary location in Greater Forest Lawn.
Watch Cllr. Carra explain some of the best practices around the halfway house process and what the issue is coming before Council.
The Delta West Academy is requesting for the land use re-designation on their site from SC-I to MC-1. This will be coming to Calgary Planning Commission (CPC) on Thursday, January 14th.
It is item 5.06 on the agenda.
CPC starts at 1:00 pm in the Engineering Traditions Room located on the lower level of Historic City Hall.
Watch Gian-Carlo explain the request for a land use re-designation from SC-I to MC-1 on the site of the Delta West Academy (Bridgeland School) and how CPC will review it based on the technical merit of the request.
In September of 2015, City Council reviewed the land use application of the Old Imperial Oil site on 11th Street SE, north of the Ramsay Design Centre. The original request was for a land use change to Land Use District MH 1. This would allow for a building that incorporates both commercial and residential, typically 6-8 stories high.
City Council was concerned that the request for MH 1 was not enough density, particularly with the Green Line LRT station set to be built next to this site. The Councillors asked the applicant and the Ramsay business representatives if there was an appetite to pursue higher density. Seeing that there was, City Council requested that City Administration examine the possibility of a different Land Use District.
Can we explore higher density?
Watch Gian-Carlo explain what will be coming to Council on January 11, 2016 and how you can give your input on the planning merit of this project.