Citizens averse to multi-family units in their neighbourhoods
The LRT line is ugly and in the wrong place.
That multi-family building will add too much traffic to the neighbourhood.
A highrise near an LRT station doesn't fit, causing cars to cut through the community.
Similar complaints from Calgarians are heard often as the city attempts to move forward on plans to add more transit and increase the number of people living in established areas.
Those already living there --usually in single-family neighbourhoods-- aren't in favour of change and city council sometimes gives in to the dissent. It's a fine line between Nimbyism and legitimate concern about neighbourhood-altering projects.
As the city tries to build up, rather than push further out, these battles become increasingly vital. Adding multi-family units to existing community neighbourhoods are almost always accompanied by people worried about esthetics, traffic or access.
Getting around initial community disapproval is a barrier the city must overcome as it moves to put more people within its existing boundaries.
"It's human nature to get used to what's around you,"says David Watson, the city's general manager of planning, development and assessment. "Another one of our biggest challenges is that although people say they like the idea of (densifying neighbourhoods) it's always somewhere else, seldom next door.
"We have to help people through the changes that take place."
Even the local poster-development for mixed-use, high density communities--Garrison Woods --was opposed by neighbours in the planning stages. New fire stations, including one downtown, were both met with residents offering "better" locations.
Ald. Druh Farrell, a proponent of transit-oriented development, which aims to put high-density residential and retail around LRT stations, says the key to selling often-unpopular projects is good design and more communication with the affected neighbours. "Density is seen as an impediment. The positive aspects are not communicated," she said.
Individual alderman have to stop looking at development around LRT stations as community projects, she says"These aren't ward issues. (Transit-oriented development) is a city-wide issue and requires a thoughtful, consistent approach," Farrell points out.
Kim Guttormson, Calgary Herald
Published: Monday, December 15, 2008
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