“People have to feel needed. Frequently, we just offer a job and ‘perks.’ We don’t always offer people a purpose. When people feel there is a purpose and that they’re needed, there’s not much else to do except let them do the work.”
 - Maya Angelou

Planning & Development

Community Planning Committee

What is the Community Planning Committee?
The CPC is a standing committee of the Board of Directors of HSCA, consisting of community residents, some of whom are elected Board members. CPC members are approved by the Board and make an annual commitment to the committee.

When and where does the CPC hold its meetings?
The CPC holds open meetings (usually three weeks apart on Monday evenings, commencing at 7:00 PM) at the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Centre, 1320 – 5th Avenue NW. Parking is available.

How is the CPC involved in the Development Permit (DP) Application process?
The City of Calgary Planning and Building Department requests that CPC review Hillhurst-Sunnyside DP applications to ensure that community standards for redevelopment are met and maintained. Upon receipt of a DP application for the Hillhurst-Sunnyside community, the City planner sends a copy of the plans to the CPC and usually notifies the applicant verbally that the CPC will be reviewing the application.

Notice of Meeting: Approximately five days prior to the Monday evening CPC meeting the DP application is placed on the agenda; the applicant is notified of the CPC meeting time and place; and flyers are distributed to anyone “affected” by the proposed development, inviting their input on the application. An “affected” person is someone who owns property, carries on a business or resides in the vicinity of the proposed development.

What Happens at the CPC Meeting?
Generally the CPC meeting will be in progress when the applicant arrives. The applicant and residents are asked to sign in. The applicant is asked to bring:

  • current plans for the development
  • a colour rendering of the development
  • landscape plans

When the appropriate application comes up on the agenda, the chairperson of the committee will call the applicant forward, welcome him/her and ask the applicant to introduce him/herself. Each agenda item is assigned approximately 20 minutes.

The Applicant: The applicant is asked to make a five minute verbal presentation that provides the following information:

  • lot coverage of the proposed building, including garage;
  • external dimensions of the proposed building;
  • location and zoning of the property;
  • placement on the lot; and size and placement in relation to adjacent homes.

The applicant may have someone speak on his/her behalf, such as the architect or builder of the proposed development.

CPC Member: The CPC members will then clarify information provided by the applicant and ask other relevant questions for the next five minutes. Through their questioning, CPC members will be ensuring that the DP application adheres to the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP), the Land Use Bylaw (LUB), Low Density Residential Housing Guidelines for Established Communities and other planning legislation.

Affected residents: Affected residents or businesses will have five minutes to question the applicant and add their input to the review process. Anyone affected by the proposed development may present a written, verbal and/or visual submission to the CPC meeting.

The Vote: The applicant is then excused; committee discussion takes place on the application for the final five minutes and a vote is taken.

Written comments: On completion of the review, the CPC sends their comments in writing concerning the DP application to the City Planning and Building Department with a copy sent to the applicant.

The Appeal Process: If the City makes a decision that the “affected” residents or applicant are not in agreement with, they may appeal the decision before the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. An appeal must be filed no more than two weeks after the approval notice is printed in Thursday papers. The CPC will provide guidance and assistance to individuals wishing to file an appeal. The applicant may call HSCA (283-0554) the day after the CPC meeting to learn the outcome of the vote and recommendations. However, only the written comments are official. Upon receipt of comments from CPC, the City makes a decision on the DP application and publishes the decision in the Thursday edition of the two daily newspapers.
A more extensive community review process will be applied to large scale developments.

For further information please contact the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association.

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