Cliff Bungalow residents worried proposed development will undercut neighbourhood's history
Residents in Cliff Bungalow are convinced a new development proposal will zap some of the charm out of their historic neighbourhood.
The offered change will enable a new five-storey, multi-residential building with 71 new units at 537 20 Avenue S.W.
But it’ll come at the expense of four current structures, including a building and two homes that have been up for decades and split into apartments.
Heather Saitz moved out of one of the units when it was sold a few months back.
She’s worried about the new vision.
“It was one of the most beautiful apartments I’ve had in my entire life,” she told CTV News. “These buildings should have a different fate.”
Saitz and others have launched a petition and canvassed the area with fliers to gain support for their opposition.
The crux of their argument is a worry the build will change the landscape of Cliff Bungalow.
One resident says she believes tearing down historic housing to make way for multi-story apartment buildings is bad for the city.
She argues those older homes house Calgarians still paying relatively manageable rents, who won’t be able to afford large-scale builds.
“I’m actually a huge advocate for density,” Ahn Mur said. “But I also think there’s a reason why people react so much to increasing density, and it’s because we lose things like community, character and affordable housing. And so this is a good example of a hot topic for people in the area.”
The group’s members are even suggesting a compromise.
“There are lots of precedents from around the world about building new developments that pay homage to the existing community character in some way,” Mur said.
Heritage Calgary is on board.
“I really want to see from the developer, can they incorporate elements of those houses into the property,” Josh Traptow said. “It could be brick, it could be windows or a door. It will just take some creativity from the architect.”
CTV News reached out to the developer to learn more about its plans, but as of publishing hasn’t heard back.
The project is still listed as a proposed land use change, which means it doesn’t yet have a timeline.
The city is collecting feedback on the proposal and will be until Thursday evening.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Tick season is underway in Ontario. Here's how to protect yourself
Tick season is well underway and there is a new species of ticks causing new diseases, which is why you need to take steps to protect yourself.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Is intermittent fasting better than counting calories? Maybe not, but you might stick with it
As weight-loss plans go, it's easy to see the allure of intermittent fasting: Eat what you want, but only during certain windows of time — often just eight hours a day.
Daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt files court petition to remove father's last name
A daughter of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filed paperwork to legally remove "Pitt" from her name on the day she turned 18.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
A climate activist in Paris stuck a protest poster on Monet's 'Poppy Field'
An environmental activist was detained Saturday after sticking a protest sign to a Monet painting in Paris' famed Orsay Museum.
North Korea is sending more trash-carrying balloons to South Korea
North Korea launched more trash-carrying balloons toward the South after a similar campaign earlier in the week, according to South Korea's military, in what Pyongyang calls retaliation for activists flying anti-North Korean leaflets across the border.
Oilers beat Stars, one win away from Stanley Cup berth
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two power-play goals as Edmonton smothered the Dallas Stars 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the NHL's Western Conference final on Friday.