planning & development committee
The P&D committee is composed of approximately ten volunteers and led by the P&D Director who is elected at an AGM to a two year term and also sits on the Board of Directors.
The P&D committee meets monthly and communicates regularly in between meetings to review any applications filed with The City of Calgary for zoning changes and development permits in Mount Pleasant.
To contact the committee, please email planning@mpca.ca
Terms of Reference
Purpose: The Planning & Development Committee (P&D) will work to ensure that community planning, development and transportation is appropriately addressed to provide a safe and comfortable community for current and future residents.
Composition: The P&D will be composed of:
- Chairperson – Director, Planning & Development
- Exofficio member President, Mount Pleasant Community Association
- Five (5) to eight (8) general members from the Community
- New members may be added to the P&D after attending a minimum of three P&D meetings and being approved by the current members
Activities: The P&D will:
- meet monthly, or as required, to discuss issues and applications that come before it
- draft and provide to the City of Calgary submissions on applications reviewed by the P&D on behalf of the Community
- attend meetings and events related to planning, development or transportation that may affect the Community
- communicate with Community residents and developers to ensure information exchange and education
Members: Committee members should:
- Attend P&D meetings on a regular basis
- Assist in the drafting of submissions to the City on applications
- Be engaged in local and city-wide planning matters outside of their role in the committee
- Be knowledgeable of the planning documents that apply to the City of Calgary and Mount Pleasant, including the Municipal Development Plan, Area Redevelopment Plans and the Land Use Bylaw
- Engage in research and information gathering to support their role on the committee and the above objectives
- Ensure that all discussion during committee meetings is on topic and is respectful of the other members and the committee purpose in general
- Not represent the Community Association externally unless explicitly authorized by the Committee to do so
- Forward any issues for Committee discussion to the Chair for assessment, dissemination to the Committee and inclusion on a meeting agenda as appropriate
- Notify the Committee chair of any visitors that may be interested in attending a P&D meeting so the Chair can coordinate their invitation
- Follow good ethical practices ensuring that anytime a real or perceived conflict of interest is present it is disclosed and the appropriate action is taken
- Continually look for ways to improve Mount Pleasant as a community in support of the community vision
Chairperson: The Chair will:
- Provide a meeting agenda to all members prior to the meeting
- Maintain meeting decorum and ensure the meeting is managed in a suitable manner
Quorum: 4 members
Scope of review
| Level of Impact | Applicant | Engagement | Approving Authority | PDC Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
City & Multi-Community |
City of
Calgary |
City to engage with
area communities,
MPCA, FCC, councillor;
City to present at PDC
meeting |
City Administration and
CPC each provide their
recommendations to City
Council for decision |
|
|
2 |
Community |
City of
Calgary |
City to engage with
community residents,
MPCA, councillor;
City to present at PDC
meeting |
City Administration and
CPC each provide their
recommendations to City
Council for decision |
|
|
3 |
Neighbourhood |
City of
Calgary |
Applicant is advised to
engage neighbours
and present at PDC
meeting |
City Development
Authority
Calgary Planning
Commission |
|
|
4 |
Block
Block or street |
Builder /
Developer |
The applicant is advised to
engage neighbours
and present at PDC
meeting |
City Development
Authority |
|
|
5 |
Local |
Owner |
Applicant is advised to
engage adjacent
homes |
City Development
Authority |
|
click the image to read the visioning report
LAND USE CHANGES IN MOUNT PLEASANT
In 2017, the MPCA held a visioning session to determine how the community would like to see Mount Pleasant grow in the future. The results indicated that residents support increased density including rowhouses and other multi-family housing along major streets like 20 AV, 10 ST, and 4 ST but not within the rest of the community.
The Municipal Development Plan, the draft Guidebook for Great Communities, and the draft North Hill Communities Local Growth Plan are focused on making the City sustainable today and into the future. As a result, City of Calgary planning policies are focused on promoting infilling of neighbourhoods (not just Mount Pleasant) to see better use of land, resources, and your tax dollars.
Currently, most lots within Mount Pleasant are not designated (zoned) for higher density, multi-family housing according to the Land Use Bylaw. In order to re-designate land for higher density housing, a landowner must apply to the City of Calgary.
Why are there applications to re-designate land in Mount Pleasant?
- A land use application can be made by any landowner to the City of Calgary.
- Land use applications are all reviewed and evaluated in accordance with City policy. The Municipal Development Plan, the draft Guidebook for Great Communities, and the draft North Hill Communities Local Growth Plan have policies which support these applications.
- The public can submit comments on any land use application. The comments are considered as one of many different inputs considered in City Administration’s evaluation.
- Administration then makes a recommendation to Calgary Planning Commission and Calgary Planning Commission who in turn, then makes a recommendation to Calgary City Council.
- When the application is considered by Council, the public has the ability to submit letters for two weeks before the Council Public Hearing in support or in opposition to the application.
- The public also has an opportunity to speak to Council about their reasons for support or opposition in person at the Public Hearing.
What could the development look like?
Here are some examples of Townhome development in Mount Pleasant and in adjacent communities.
Where can it occur within Mount Pleasant?
While any landowner in Mount Pleasant can submit a land use application, rowhouse parcels are generally proposed on corner lots. Where lots have recently undergone redevelopment (single- or semi-detached homes), it is less likely Mount Pleasant will see an application for land use change on those lots.
What is the role of the Planning & Development (P&D) Committee in Mount Pleasant?
The P&D Committee is one voice in the application review process. The Committee operates according to the Terms of Reference and priority levels identified above. They evaluate each application on its own merits and in alignment with the vision work the committee conducted in previous years. However, the City circulates to many different people and stakeholders during the application process and the Committee feedback is weighed equally along with all other stakeholder input.
