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 Riley 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 essential 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.

Situated near the Bow River and the Downtown Core, the Riley Communities of Hillhurst, Hounsfield Heights - Briar Hill, Sunnyside and West Hillhurst will continue to grow and build upon the unique assets and histories of the area. The variety of housing, amenities, attractions and mobility options will form a foundation to further the area as one of the most vibrant parts of the city. The area will see continued improvements and investments that enhance the diverse experiences and quality of life of those who live and visit.

Housing Choice

Expand the range of housing options in the Riley Communities to meet the evolving needs, life stages and household compositions of Calgarians. Ensure that as new housing is developed, it suits the evolving context of each of Riley’s individual communities.

Moving to and through the Riley Communities

Support and provide increased ways to move to and through the Riley Communities that emphasize safe, accessible and efficient movement. Prioritize walking, transit and active modes as key ways to move around the Riley Communities and to surrounding destinations by building upon existing infrastructure such as the Red Line LRT system, regional pathway system and pedestrian network.

Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Expand and enhance the inventory of parks, recreation facilities, natural areas and public spaces throughout the Riley Communities, including the McHugh Bluff and spaces along the Bow River. Focus on providing a range of parks and recreation spaces near all living in the Riley Communities.

Climate Resilience
Improve long-term climate resiliency and reduce vulnerability to localized climate-related hazards such as flooding along the Bow River, heavy rainfall and extreme heat. Achieve this through supporting low-carbon lifestyles and area-specific improvements that mitigate the impacts of severe weather events and expand the urban tree canopy.

Aligning Improvements to Growth
Enable continued mixed-use development along Main Streets and corridors such as 10th Street N.W., 14th Street N.W., Kensington Road and 19th Street N.W. as well as transit-oriented development around the Sunnyside and Lions Park LRT stations. Facilitate the creation of public amenities that support growth and change and further enhance the sense of place within these communities.

Safe and Accessible Communities
Promote community safety and accessibility for all. Ensure that safety and accessibility are key considerations in public realm improvements, new building design, and in considering improved transportation options.

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. Examples in the Riley Communities are Kensington Road N.W., 10th Street N.W. and 14th Street N.W.
• Transit Station Areas - Locations around Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations and bus stops with frequent transit such as the MAX line where mixed-use and higher-density development should occur. Lions Park and Sunnyside LRT stations are currently the Transit Station Areas in the Riley Plan area.
• Activity Centres – Concentrated areas of growth with high activity and a variety of uses. Examples in the Riley Communities include the area surrounding North Hill Mall and the former Grace Hospital Site.

In addition to the Existing Focus Areas for Growth, City planners, the Riley 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 both Existing Focus Areas for Growth (areas with existing land use / zoning of four storeys or more, or areas where Council-approved policy supports more growth —shown in orange on the map) as well as Additional Potential Focus Areas for Growth 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.