Motion requests infrastructure review, density pause in Bowness, Montgomery
[Excerpt] By Darren Krause
Two Calgary city councillors want a vast review of infrastructure in two northwest communities, along with a ban on further density in the area until that’s done.
Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp and Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong have co-sponsored a Notice of Motion that’s coming to Calgary’s Executive Committee meeting on Nov. 7, calling for a review of water infrastructure, along with roads, parks and green spaces, all in response to recent water main breaks in the area, including June’s massive Bearspaw South
In the interim, while waiting for an assessment, the pair want a “temporary hold” on certain new residential development permit applications. They want new residential permits for projects over four unit and submitted after Aug. 26, in the communities of Bowness and Montgomery, to be paused.
Coun. Sharp said that the underlying cause of the initial Bearspaw South water feeder main failure is unclear, and there are concerns that risks remain with other nearby water infrastructure.
“I’m committed to ensuring that Calgarians have reliable, safe infrastructure, and part of that commitment means pausing high-density developments until we understand the full picture,” said Sharp, in a prepared media release.
“I’m not going to wait for Administration or a third-party consultant to deliver a report any longer. We need proactive solutions. This assessment and the temporary hold on some types of new development would give us the insights we need to move forward in a way that protects our communities and maintains transparency and accountability.”
Wong and Sharp are looking for a comprehensive infrastructure assessment, along with a review of economic, social and budgetary impacts of densification upon aging Bowness and Montgomery. They also want interim updates on their findings.
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