FAQ: Ogden United Church Land Use Redesignation
WHO OWNS THE PROPERTY?
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROJECT?
The land is privately owned and operated by Ogden United Church. Ogden United Church is a congregation of The United Church of Canada. OUC was formed in 1914, and built its first church building on the church property in 1916. In response to changing community needs in Ogden, OUC expanded and redeveloped its property in 1958, and again in 1961.
A land use redesignation application is currently under review. Once the application is processed, you can view details on the City of Calgary’s Development Map.
This information is publicly available and provides members of the community with a summary, status updates, and information about redesignation requests.
The Ogden United Church is working in partnership with the Mustard Seed. This relationship grew out of a common commitment to social action and a desire to support a need in the Ogden Community. You can find more information about the project on their website HERE.
WHAT ARE THE INTENDED PLANS FOR THIS PROJECT?
The proposed usage of the site includes:
A Community Hub – a multi-purpose space, a neighbour centre with counselling services, employment coaching and advocacy, operated by the Mustard Seed.
Ogden United Church Sanctuary – a multi-purpose space for church services, spiritual engagement, and community meals for church goers, residents and community members.
Community Kitchen – operated by the Ogden United Church to provide meal planning lessons, cooking classes, and a space for locals to cook together and access resources.
Affordable Childcare – a pre-school and onsite daycare facility.
Community Café – a space to socialize and gather as a community, including employment opportunities.
Affordable, Permanent Apartments – 24 units
HOW DO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY LEARN ABOUT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS?
The details of any development application are not publicly available until they have been processed by the Planning Department. This can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks after the initial application is submitted. Once processed, all details are publicly available on the Development Map Website.
Once an application is submitted, the following parties are notified:
Community Association - Board of Directors
Calgary Planning Department
Calgary Planning Commission
City Councillor
The Community Association can review and provide feedback on development applications at any time. If needed, they are also welcome to expand consultations and engage residents during the process.
The property owner and/or developer must also consult with community members and provide an opportunity for feedback. Ogden United Church and the Mustard Seed have put together a web page for those interested in viewing details of their proposal.
Please note that the City Councillor or Administrative staff must maintain a neutral position until the application comes before Council and the public hearing is complete, therefore they cannot comment on or facilitate community engagement opportunities.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE CITY AND THE CITY COUNCILLOR IN THIS PROCESS?
Every piece of land in Calgary has been categorized for specific use according to the City of Calgary’s Planning Bylaws. More commonly known as “zoning”, these categories offer guidance, safety regulations, and transparency for both the property owner and members of the community.
In order to build a new development or renovate a property in a way that significantly changes its use, all property owners must first put forward an application through the City of Calgary’s Planning Department.
The City of Calgary’s administrative staff first review the application to ensure that all mandatory requirements have been met and may provide feedback to the applicant. Following their review and recommendations, the application is then brought before the City Planning Commission. Details on when a specific application will be discussed at the Planning Commission are available on the Development Map Website.
During this time, and prior to the application coming before the City Council, it is the responsibility of the property owner to consult with members of the community and gain feedback on the project. Consultations can include many forms including online surveys, in-person meetings, site visits, mailers, etc. These consultations are a required part of the application process and serve to learn about and mitigate potential negative impacts to the community.
After these steps are complete, the application will come before City Council with a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Until this time, City Councillors must remain amenable to persuasion for all applications until the public hearing is closed.
During the public hearing, members of the public are encouraged to present their concerns. Members of the public are also welcome to contact their City Councillor prior to the public hearing but must understand that Councillors cannot comment in favor or against the application until it has come before Council and the public hearing is complete.
At the public hearing, ALL members of City Council vote on each application. Regardless of whether your City Councillor is in favor or against an application, they are only one of 15 votes that ultimately decide whether or not any given project is approved.
INFORMATION ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OGDEN:
The City of Calgary collects information on existing housing in Calgary every five years through the Non-Market Affordable Housing Survey
According to the most recent survey in 2015, 6% of dwelling units in Ogden were non-market and categorized as affordable housing
While this is higher than the percentage for the city overall (3.6%), there are 19 communities that have a higher percentage and 25 communities that have 6% or more of the total housing stock as non-market rental.
Affordable housing is present in 93 of the 204 residential communities in Calgary (see map below)
HOW CAN I MAKE MY VOICE HEARD?
As a concerned citizen, you have a number of options to see your concerns addressed.
Your Community Assocation can play an important role in advocating for your and can help collect feedback and share them productively with the City and with the applicant. Coordinating with your CA, as your local representative, is the best way to have your voice heard. Ward 9 staff, including Coun. Carra, regularly meets with CA representatives to hear concerns and assist with a variety of issues.
The Ward 9 office is happy to arrange and assist in bringing together the Ogden United Church and your Community Association to ensure your concerns are heard and addressed.
You are also welcome to share your concerns with the File Manager in the City of Calgary Planning Department. You can access their contact info by searching the site on the City of Calgary Development Map. The file manager works directly with the applicant and can make suggestions on your behalf.
You are also welcome to email your councillor’s office at ward09@calgary.ca . All inquiries will be shared with the councilor and deliberated upon to determine his final vote at council. Keep in mind that the councillor’s office is not responsible for the designs, nor the final-outcome has they are only 1/15 of the vote, therefore working directly with the Applicant, through your Community Association, will have more impact on the designs and final outcome.
Lastly, any member of the public is welcome to attend Council and take five minutes to share their concerns to the members of council and for the public record.