Overview

Overview


Calgarians had the opportunity to provide feedback through a variety of ways, including an online survey, telephone survey and open houses in each of the city’s quadrants, as well as one in the centre city. During this process all concerns were documented and given to the appropriate business unit to follow up and address, including Recreation, Planning, and Bylaw Services.

Approximately 34,000 Calgarians of all ages and skill levels participate in skateboarding each year. In addition, other wheeled-sports such as scooters, BMX, and in-line skates are common across the city. For many wheeled-sport enthusiasts, ramps are an important part of the sport.

Should skateboard or sports ramps (bicycle, in-line skates, roller skates, etc.) be allowed on residential properties? Currently, sports ramps are allowed in parks, commercial and industrial areas. Ramps are allowed on residential properties with an approved development permit.

City Council has asked Administration to review both the Land Use and Community Standards Bylaws, and to engage with Calgarians to determine whether a sport ramp of the a maximum dimensions – 1.5m high x 5m wide x 6m long – should be allowed on private property without a development permit.

The Notice of Motion is looking for feedback from all Calgarians on the following:

  • A proposed maximum ramp size of 1.5 metres high by 5 metres wide by 6 metres long,
  • A development permit exemption for sports ramps within the allowable size, and
  • Confirmation that proposed amendments to the Community Standards Bylaw, as part of its comprehensive review, will address excessive noise related to sport ramp activities.

Based on engagement, amendments were proposed to the Land Use Bylaw and Community Standards Bylaw. See the report to the Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protective Services, June 1, 2016 in the Document Library. Council directed Administration to prepare Land Use Bylaw Amendments. The amendments were considered by the Calgary Planning Commission. See the report to the Calgary Planning Commission M-2016-21, September 22, 2016 in the Document Library.

The Calgary Planning Commission recommendations were considered by Council on November 7, 2016. Council approved the bylaw amendments. A link to Council’s Public Hearing Agenda, the report and bylaw are in the timeline.

What We Heard

What We Heard

We asked...

Should skateboard or sports ramps (bicycle, in-line skates, scooter, etc.) be allowed on residential properties?

Starting in October 2015, The City consulted with stakeholder groups and the general public. The questions asked in the survey and at the open houses focused on:


• a proposed maximum ramp size of 1.5 metres high by 5 metres wide by 6 metres long

• whether sports ramps within this size should be exempt from a development permit in residential areas

• what proposed amendments to the Community Standards Bylaw (noise) could be made to address excessive noise related to sport ramp activities


What We Heard


This What We Heard report covers the feedback from the Pop-Up Engagement and Open Houses.

This What We Heard report covers the feedback from the Online Survey.

Circulations to Community Associations and optional meetings to discuss Land Use Bylaw amendment wording and a guide to skateboard and sports ramps were available from June to September. Feedback from Community Associations was incorporated into the September 22, 2016 report to the Calgary Planning Commission.

Thank you to everyone who provided input!

We're Listening

We're Listening

Calgary City Council will make the final decision on whether skateboard/sports ramps should be allowed on private residential properties.

On June 1, 2016, the Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protective Services considered the SPORTS RAMPS ON PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES report and Attachments 1 to 4 (in the document library), in its public meeting. The Committee recommended approval. The minutes are located here. A proposed amendment to the Community Standards Bylaw for noise is contained in Attachment 1. Proposed Land Use Bylaw regulations are contained in Attachment 2. A summary of public engagement is contained in Attachment 3.

Based on Attachment 2, Land Use Bylaw amendment wording and a guide to skateboard and sports ramps were available for review from June 16 to September 2, 2016. Optional meetings to discuss Land Use Bylaw amendment wording with Community Associations were scheduled for June 22 and September 1, 2016. The Federation of Calgary Communities also distributed information.

Council considered the Calgary Planning Commission recommendations at its November 7, 2016 Public Hearing. Council approved the proposed Land Use Bylaw amendments. A link to the Agenda, for the report and bylaw is in the timeline. An information tool for parents and children is available in the Document Library.