In Phase 1 - ENVISION, we asked you to help us look back at the past, understand the present and envision the future. The feedback provided helped us draft a Vision and Core Values for the Greater Forest Lawn Communities that will help guide decisions about the evolution of the area over the next 30 years.

We are currently in Phase 2 – EXPLORE, and we want to hear your thoughts on the draft Vision and Core Values. We’re also going to start looking at where and how growth and change could happen in the area.

A local area plan is influenced by several different sources including the community context, participant feedback, professional expertise, City policies and equity considerations. A ‘What We Heard Report’ and a ‘What We Did Report’ compiling all participant feedback, key themes and actions taken will be shared at the end of each engagement phase.

While Calgary’s population has been growing approximately 1.8 per cent every year since 1985, the peak population within 86 per cent of Calgary’s established communities has declined. Population stability within established communities is needed to support local schools, businesses, services and infrastructure. It is proven that greater housing choice and diversity support increased population and stabilization within Calgary’s established communities.

The composition of Calgary’s population is changing. Peoples’ housing needs and preferences are changing as well (e.g., smaller households, a desire to age in place, affordability, etc.). There was an average of 3.5 people per dwelling citywide in 1969, and today it is only 2.7. With no new dwellings and growth, the result is a 23 per cent population decline in established areas. These demographic and socioeconomic changes directly support a need for greater variety of housing choices in established areas.

The Municipal Development Plan (or MDP, our city’s 60-year plan that guides growth and change) seeks to balance growth between developed and established areas of the city. It has a goal to achieve 50 per cent of overall growth from 2006 to 2066 within our established neighbourhoods. This means we need to allow more homes of different types in our established communities and each community can accommodate evolving forms of growth and change.

The Greater Forest Lawn Communities will continue to value the cultural diversity and inclusiveness found throughout the plan area and continue to evolve into thriving, welcoming, and safe neighbourhoods by providing well-connected mobility choices, inclusive open spaces, various housing options and business opportunities for people in and beyond the communities.

Housing Options

Support quality housing development that is diverse and accessible for people from all income levels throughout the plan area, particularly near transit station areas, International Avenue S.E., commercial areas, major roadways, and community amenities areas, to meet the evolving needs of people in all stages of life.

Mobility Choices

Provide safe, efficient, well-maintained, connected, and accessible year-round mobility choices through a network of transit, pathways, walking and wheeling infrastructure, and roadways, to locations including International Avenue S.E., Barlow / Max Bell LRT station, Franklin LRT station, Max Purple BRT transit station areas, and surrounding commercial and residential areas.

Parks, Open Spaces, and Community Facilities
Protect and invest in parks, open spaces, and recreational and community facilities for people of all ages, cultural backgrounds and abilities to promote overall community wellness and quality of life. Create a safe, accessible and connected open-space system that links neighbourhoods, parks, natural areas, and community amenities, such as the escarpment park, community hubs, Elliston Park and Max Bell Centre.

Climate Resilience

Strengthen resilience to climate change and extreme weather conditions by reimagining the reusing and repurposing of existing buildings and infrastructure and prioritizing innovative energy-and resource-efficient building designs for existing and new development.

Vibrant and Diverse Culture, Arts and Business
Attract and support a variety of arts and culture initiatives, employment opportunities, businesses and services along International Avenue S.E. and commercial and industrial areas that enhance and promote the communities’ vibrancy and cultural diversity by revitalizing the area into a creative and cultural destination hub enjoyed by community members and all Calgarians.

There are areas in the city where this type of development is already directed to go. Focus areas for growth are outlined in Calgary’s Municipal Development Plan (MDP).

These growth focus areas include:

• Main Streets - Areas of higher density, activity and a variety of uses along specified streets or routes. International Avenue S.E. is a Main Street within the Greater Forest Lawn Communities Plan area.
• Transit Station Areas - Locations around Light Rail Train (LRT) stations and bus stops with frequent transit such as the MAX line where mixed-use and higher-density development should occur. Barlow / Max Bell LRT station, Franklin LRT station and Max Purple BRT station areas along International Avenue S.E. are currently the Transit Station Areas in the Greater Forest Lawn Plan area.
• Activity Centres – Concentrated areas of growth with high activity and a variety of uses. Examples in the Greater Forest Lawn Communities include the area surrounding the intersections of Memorial Drive E. and 36th Street S.E., Memorial Drive E. and 52nd Street S.E., Eighth Avenue S.E. and 44th Street S.E., and 26th Avenue S.E. and 36th Street S.E.

In addition to these focus areas, City planners, the Greater Forest Lawn Communities Working Group and local community associations have reviewed public feedback from the first engagement phase on what exists today and discussed areas where there could be potential for additional growth in the future.

The map below outlines areas where this type of moderate-to large-scale development is already directed to go (areas with existing land use / zoning of four storeys or more, or areas where Council-approved policy supports more growth — shown in light grey on the map) as well as Additional potential focus Areas where we think this type of development could potentially be appropriate (up for discussion; based on engagement so far and key considerations — shown in pink on the map)

(based on the Land Use Bylaw Rules)

• Contain one primary residence and may include a backyard or basement suite.
• Can be different scales including one storey (bungalow) two or three storeys.
• The general lot coverage is 45 per cent and the maximum height is 10 metres.

(based on the Land Use Bylaw Rules)

• Contain two primary residences in one building and may include a basement suite or backyard suite for each primary residence.
• Residences in semi-detached dwellings are separated from each other side to side, and duplexes are separated above and below.Can be different scales including one storey (bungalow) two or three storeys.
• The general lot coverage is 45 per cent and the maximum height is 10 metres. This makes the massing generally similar to a single-detached home.

(based on the Land Use Bylaw Rules)

• Contain three or more residences on a property and may include a basement suite or backyard suite for each primary residence.
• Typically have up to 60 per cent lot coverage and up to three storeys in height (11 metres).

(based on the Land Use Bylaw Rules)

• Contain three or more primary residences (suites are not permitted).
• Residences not required to have front entrance facing the street.
• Typically have up to 60 per cent lot coverage and can be up to three storeys in height (11 metres).
• Residences are separated from each other side to side and / or top to bottom.