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Global News
2 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Calgary may speed up building new neighbourhoods if it doesn't require upfront costs
A city committee endorsed a move to fast-track approvals for new communities on Calgary's outskirts, but only if they don't require capital investments from the city. Currently, developers submit applications throughout the year to build new subdivisions, but a final decision from city council only comes once a year, during budget deliberations in November. According to city administration, this is because applications are reviewed to determine the capital costs required to enable construction, which could include roads, utilities and water, as well as emergency services like fire stations. However, city administration says some of the applications for new neighbourhoods only require operating investments for the city services and not new capital costs, as they leverage previously installed infrastructure. On Wednesday, the city's Infrastructure and Planning committee unanimously endorsed a proposal that would speed up approvals for new subdivisions, provided they only require operating costs. Story continues below advertisement 'We talk about removing red tape, and this is an opportunity to remove red tape,' said Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp, who chairs the committee. As part of the proposal, administration is also recommending city council approve six new subdivisions. View image in full screen The six new subdivisions the City of Calgary is recommending get fast-tracked as they only require operating funding. Courtesy: City of Calgary Operating costs, which are supported by property taxes, for the neighbourhoods are $140,000 per year to expand Calgary Transit service to the areas. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy But the city's report on the proposal warns council's approval of a new community commits the city to future long-term operating and capital investments 'as a community develops and services are provided to future residents.' Story continues below advertisement City administration estimates at full buildout, the six new subdivisions will require $3 million in tax-supported funding annually for city services. The communities will also eventually require $609 million of capital investment, with $189 million supported by taxes, $109 million coming from off-site levies and development fees, and $311 million coming from utilities to be repaid by user fees. 'When you look at full buildout you have to look at the return on investment and how much those houses and that area will bring money back into the city as revenue generation,' Sharp said when asked about the potential future costs. The move is getting support from the development industry with representatives from BILD Calgary Region noting the current process can create delays. 'It better aligns approvals with infrastructure readiness, reduces uncertainty for investors, and supports a more responsive approach to Calgary's growing housing needs,' Deborah Cooper with BILD Calgary told committee. 'That small shift helps manage costs and risk more effectively and supports a more reliable housing supply.' However, it follows a slew of spending commitments from city council outside of budget talks, including $20 million in surplus Enmax dividends for city facility upgrades, and $15 million to retrofit Calgary Transit buses with improved shields to protect operators. 'There are times that you have to look at making decisions that are outside of the budget cycle in the best interest of the people you serve,' Mayor Jyoti Gondek said. Story continues below advertisement 'When we are trying to deliver on housing, sometimes those ideas need to come forward ahead of a budget cycle.' The six new communities as well as proposed change to the approvals process will now go to city council as a whole for a final decision later this month.
CTV News
30-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Five youths charged after bear spray attack near Calgary Transit bus
Police vehicles at Calgary Police Service headquarters in Calgary on Thursday, April 9, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh) Five young offenders – three girls and two boys – have been charged in connection with an incident where bear spray was deployed near a Calgary Transit bus. Police said at 3:40 p.m. on Friday, May 23, two groups of youths got into a fight at a bus stop near Third Street and 61 Avenue S.W. near the Chinook CTrain station. Officials say one group attempted to get onto the bus, but the second group used bear spray near the door. The fumes affected the victims as well as the bus driver and passengers already on the bus. The suspects fled the scene but were arrested a short time later. Police say three girls, aged 14, 15 and 16, and two boys, aged 14 and 16, have been charged with four counts each of assault with a weapon. The 14-year-old girl was also charged with failure to comply with a release order. Additional charges against the 16-year-old boy include two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of an imitation weapon and failing to comply with a release order. None of the accused can be named due to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
Global News
28-05-2025
- Global News
Council eyes $15M for Calgary Transit operator safety after bus driver attacked
Calgary city council will consider a multi-million-dollar funding injection to bolster safety for transit operators, after a bus driver was assaulted while on duty. During an update to transit's RouteAhead strategy Tuesday, council unanimously supported an amendment from Ward 5 Coun. Raj Dhaliwal that calls for the city to spend $15 million from reserves to retrofit buses with 'more secure security shields.' 'Right now we've got these shields — they're not even shields, they're little screens that are not that effective,' Dhaliwal told reporters. Dhaliwal's amendment also asks for transit to install new signage on all vehicles about safety and informing passengers that assaulting an operator is a federal crime, including 'non-compliance consequences.' It also calls for a review of all safety and training practices, and include an annual safety status progress report to council. Story continues below advertisement Council's debate comes after a Calgary Transit bus driver was assaulted in the early morning hours of May 13 while driving a route near Falconridge and Castleridge boulevards Northeast. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The driver was taken to hospital in critical condition, but was later upgraded to stable, and investigators believe he was attacked when he refused the suspects' request to detour from his original bus route. Darryl Flett, 22, and Curtis Baker, 20, were each charged with one count of aggravated assault, one count of robbery and one count of failing to comply with a court order. 'We knew it was only a matter of time before this happened,' said Mike Mahar, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 583. Mahar told Global News that drivers face harassment daily like spitting, physical threats and racial slurs; he noted efforts to make proactive changes have taken months to address. 'We just couldn't get it done at transit, administration just wasn't moving on things the way it has to happen,' he said. 'It just wasn't a priority.' During Tuesday's meeting, Calgary Transit director Sharon Fleming noted transit was looking to spend $1 million to install plastic separation barriers but could find better materials if council approves the $15 million spend. 'We have done a number of things to enhance (operator) safety. As you know we have temporary plexiglass shields on all our buses,' she told council. Story continues below advertisement 'We also have done a number of things to help with safety training and education for our operators, things like dealing with conflict de-escalation, additional customer service training.' Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean expressed frustration with the province and federal government, and called for harsher penalties and bail reform. 'It's their responsibility, they need to crack down on this crime,' he told reporters. 'These costs are being downloaded to the city and we can only bear so much onto our taxpayers.' According to Mahar, the driver who was assaulted has been released from hospital and is recovering at home, but that recovery has a long way to go. 'It's just by whatever graces, in his words a guardian angel of some sort, that he's here today,' Mahar said. City council will make a final decision on the $15 million funding request in Dhaliwal's amendment during next week's council meeting.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Council approves $15-million plan to better protect bus drivers
Nearly two weeks after a Calgary bus driver was beaten and stabbed, city councillors unanimously approved a motion to spend millions of dollars to upgrade barriers to better protect transit operators. Nearly two weeks after a Calgary bus driver was beaten and stabbed, city councillors unanimously approved a motion to spend millions of dollars to upgrade barriers to better protect transit operators. Training and safety protocols will also be reviewed. Two men face charges after a bus driver was assaulted in the early morning hours of May 14. Darryl Flett, 22, and Curtis Baker Spence, 20, are each charged with aggravated assault in relation to the attack. According to the union representing transit workers, the victim is now out of hospital, but 'the road to recovery is going to be incredibly long,' said Mike Mahar with the Amalgamated Transit Union. 'He is bedridden and he gets up and every day he has to go for medical treatments for his hands and for all the wounds on his head,' Mahar added. As part of a discussion about the future of Calgary Transit, councillors voted in favour of recommending spending up to $15 million on a plan that includes installing upgraded barriers for drivers. The city will also install safety signage to alert people to the consequences of harassing or assaulting drivers. Although assaults are rare, Mahar says verbal abuse and threats against transit operators happen nearly every day. The city will also review transit safety and training practices on trains and buses. 'I think it's fantastic. I think that getting it done right now, while the window is there, is so essential,' said Mahar. The spending ask will be added to the city's high-priority requests at next month's Strategic Council Meeting.
CTV News
21-05-2025
- CTV News
160 charges laid in Calgary drug investigation focusing on downtown core
A Calgary police cruiser is shown next to a downtown CTrain. (CPS handout) Calgary police say a recent drug trafficking operation in the downtown core has resulted in 160 charges being laid. 'Recently, we have seen an increase in calls for service in relation to overdoses and activity consistent with drug trafficking occurring at several CTrain stations and in public areas in downtown Calgary,' police said in a Wednesday news release. In response, police partnered with bylaw officers and Calgary Transit peace officers to address the ongoing safety concerns. Police say between April 22 and May 2, 29 people were charged with dozens of offences, including drug trafficking and possession. Officers also seized several weapons including seven knives and an imitation revolver. 'The operation successfully targeted high-incident locations, arrested several drug traffickers, and aimed to support those arrested with resources for recovery,' said Staff Sgt. Lon Brewster. Police said 97 per cent of those arrested had a history of trafficking-related charges, and 97 per cent were on a release pending trial or with conditions. In addition, 79 per cent of arrestees had a prior criminal record, and 72 per cent of had a history of possession for the purpose of trafficking charges.
