Save South Calgary Park!: January 2010

Click Here for a Google Docs version of this letter. You may also want to cut and paste the following and email it to vivian.barr@calgary.ca or put it into some other word processor to add your own concerns.

______________________________
(YOUR ADDRESS HERE)

January 15, 2010

Ms. Vivian Barr

Senior Planning Technician

City of Calgary, Land Use Planning & Policy

#8117, P.O. Box 2100, Station M

Calgary, AB T2P 2M5

Dear Ms. Barr:

RE: SB2009-0266

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to comment on the Proposed Subdivision of Lots 1-6 & 35-40, Block 45, Plan 4479P and closed roads and lanes located south of 30 Avenue and west of 14 Street SW. We have a number of serious concerns and we look forward to creating a dialog with you regarding this matter.

As residents currently living near the South Calgary Park green space, we would like precise details regarding the visual impact of the new fire hall. Specifically, we would like to know:

1. The size of the proposed structure – including square footage, height and architectural design considerations

2. Duration of the construction process

3. The green space impact of the proposed structure, including which trees will be protected

4. The number of firefighters and trucks the new location will accommodate

5. Details regarding any relocation of traffic signals

Since a large percentage of South Calgary Park’s treasured green space is at risk with the subdivision, we have specific environmental concerns regarding the new fire hall, including:

1. What steps will be undertaken to reduce noise from added fire truck traffic and traffic flow reduction on 14 ST SW

2. Which old growth trees will be protected throughout the construction process

3. What evidence there is that the new fire hall location will be an improvement to the current location. The current location is ideal for allowing trucks to go either north or south on 14 ST SW due to the wide intersection at Joliet Avenue SW

4. Will a hazardous material drop-off be included in the fire hall’s design? If so, what steps will be undertaken to ensure the local residents and park-goers will be safe? How will residents be protected in the event of soil contamination?

5. What considerations have been made to minimize the footprint and vertical height of the structure, as well as the related parking lot area?

6. Will the current heritage structure be removed after the expansion? If so, what will be done to ensure that any contamination has been removed so that the residents can be sure the park is safe for their children?

Other general concerns include:

1. Why weren’t residents notified sooner of the proposed subdivision, or given adequate time to pursue legal options? Can the comment period be extended by a few months to allow more residents to voice their concerns?

2. What evidence is there that another Calgary fire hall would not benefit more from an expansion? For instance, Stations 2, 8, 11, 20 serve the same general area. Why not expand their facilities prior to Station 5?

3. What evidence is there that a larger fire hall at this location will help serve more Calgarians?

4. What evidence is there that the current fire hall is deficient? The current structure was built in 1952, which is younger than many buildings and homes in the area.

5. What alternatives are there to subdividing the park?

6. Have these viable alternative locations been explored:

a. The area of the underutilized outdoor pool and community centre.

b. Expanding the firehall backwards into the park therefore minimizing the visual impact of residents who currently enjoy a view of the green space

c. Taking over the vacant EduCentres building at 14 ST SW and 30 AVE SW

d. Purchasing the derelict building site at 14 ST SW between 25 AVE SW and 24 AVE SW

7. How will residents be compensated for the loss in property values attributed to the fire hall expansion?

8. Will bus service along 14 ST SW be relocated as a result of the subdivision/expansion?

9. The City of Calgary emphasizes the historical value of Calgary’s oldest fire station on its website: “Located in a picturesque residential area of the inner city, crew members of Station No. 5 have adopted the park that surrounds the fire hall and are responsible for its upkeep. The crews have received awards over the years for their generous effort. The station is located next door to a library and is often visited by children and their parents walking to and from the library. Residents affectionately refer to it as the "Little Firehall," and it is a treasured part of the community.Two of the oldest antique rigs in the city sit in the garden area in front of Station No. 5. The two steel-wheeled hose reels were used to carry hoses to fire calls in Calgary's earlier days.

With this in mind, why would the city want to lose this part of its heritage?

9. Will residents lose their ability to park on 14 ST SW or 30 AVE SW?

10. How will gas/power/water/sewer service change as a result of an expanded fire station?

11. Were there any zoning changes required to allow this application to occur?

Essentially, we are extremely concerned with the proposed subdivision because we are convinced that a new, larger fire hall is not needed at the expense of our precious green space and enormous trees. There are several ideal alternative locations nearby that would require no subdividing. Also, the safety of inner-city residents with respect to hazardous material disposal located next to a highly-utilized green space is of paramount concern.

Unless all of the above issues have been addressed in a satisfactory manner, we will be vocally opposed to the subdivision of the park and subsequent construction of the new fire hall.

Yours truly,

(YOUR NAMES HERE)

Concerned Ward 8 Residents