PROJECT OVERVIEW
We are reviewing the current restriction on Places of Worship and Halls and Auditoriums within the Noise Exposure Forecast (NEF) 35 contour area. The NEF contours are areas outlined within the Calgary International Airport Vicinity Protection Area (AVPA) regulation.
On September 14, 2020, Council approved a resolution to request proposed changes to the NEF contours around the Calgary International Airport. As part of the discussion, Council directed us to review the restriction of Places of Worship and Halls and Auditoriums in the NEF 35 contour area.
BACKGROUND
The Calgary International Airport Vicinity Protection Area Regulation outlines uses that are prohibited within certain locations in Calgary. These locations are called Noise Exposure Forecast (NEF) areas, due to potential noise impacts from aircraft flying over communities as they arrive or depart. If you aren’t familiar with the NEF contours, please review the map below.
| Land Uses | NEF 40+ area | NEF | NEF | NEF |
| Residences | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | - |
| Schools | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | - |
| Day cares | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | - | - |
| Clinics | Prohibited use | - | - | - |
| Medical care facilities | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | - |
| Halls and auditoriums | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | - | - |
| Places of worship | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | - | - |
| Outdoor eating establishments | Prohibited use | - | - | - |
| Outdoor exhibition and fairgrounds | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | - | - |
| Outdoor spectator entertainment / sports facilities | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | - | - |
| Campgrounds | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | Prohibited use | Prohibited use |
| Up to date as per Calgary AVPA Regulation: | ||||
The NEF contour closest to the Calgary International Airport is NEF 40+. Noise impacts that help us determine the compatibility of land uses decrease from the NEF 40 contour area to the NEF 25 contour area, where the fewest restrictions are in place.
The NEF 35 contour area is located close to the airport. It prohibits many of the same uses as the NEF 40+ contour, except Outdoor Eating Establishments. Currently, Places of Worship and Halls and Auditoriums are prohibited within the NEF 35 contour area.
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF LIFTING THE RESTRICTION
Over the past several months we have reviewed what the effects of lifting the restriction on places of worship, halls and auditoriums within the NEF 35 contour may be.
From our review, a combination of the following may happen if this restriction is lifted:
- The land use of parcels will not change.
- Lifting the restriction will allow a land use that was not previously allowed. Property owners will need to apply for a land use change if their property is not already designated for this type of use.
- Communities and faith-based groups will have additional lands to consider when looking for a new property for a place of worship, hall or auditorium.
PROVIDE YOUR FEEDBACK
The personal information collected in this survey is done so under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Section 33(c) and is used to provide guidance to The City of Calgary when it comes to the review of the Calgary International Airport Vicinity Protection Area regulation. If you have questions about the collection or use of your information, please contact a Senior Planning and Policy Strategist at 403- 826-7824 or send an email to avpa@calgary.ca.
NEXT STEPS
We will review the feedback from stakeholders and incorporate it into our recommendations where appropriate.
The project team will share their recommendations with the Planning and Urban Development Committee in early Spring. More information about the committee date will be shared when it’s confirmed.
If the committee approves the recommendations, they will go to Council for approval. If Council supports the recommendations, they will approve a resolution to send a request to The Province to review the recommended changes. The AVPA is a Provincial regulation. The AVPA will not change unless the Province approves the recommended changes.
