Urban Development and Proposals Discussion

[darwink]

Could it make sense to also include proximity to city centre as another input in the frontage tax? I can see pros/cons to it, but I think its another factor to smooth things out. Frontage/lot size alone don't necessarily scale to the roads/utilities in curvilinear neighbourhoods.

Would need provincial permission to do so.

 

[Surrealplaces]

Would need provincial permission to do so.

I didn't realize the province had control of things like that. Is that for any and all changes to the way property taxes are done?

 

[darwink]

I didn't realize the province had control of things like that. Is that for any and all changes to the way property taxes are done?

No. But the taxes allowed, and how they work, are in the Municipal Government Act.

 

[BKha]

I'm fine with a progressive tax even at a local even though as noted we already do this with provincial and federal tax. In essence the wealthy help subsidize local services like Calgary Transit, used to help those with less income, or shared use like parks and walkways etc..
However as I mentioned in my previous post, I'd like to see a hybrid tax model that also rewards development that helps fight sprawl. I think a hybrid of market value rate, combined with a frontage based rate is a reasonable way to go. No tax method, will be perfect, but this helps reward those living in smaller inner city units, while keeping the progressive system.

That’s looks fair to me. If not a change to the tax system, some other type of incentive is needed.
It’s great they were building piles of multi family in the new neighborhoods, and density is better than the previous suburbs, but it’s still sprawl and still adds to the city’s costs.

 

[CalgaryTiger]

This will not happen but major city's need to have a move direct line to the federal government and not be a puppet of the provincial government.

I will say I'm fine with the equalization of city's paying more taxes then the province sends back to them because it really does cost more to deliver services to rural areas. However, if city's got back what they give or just kept what they contribute city taxes could actually go down or at least the difference would make city's better. City to rural equalization is not talked about at all but it is as prominent or more than national equalization. Without the city's the province of Alberta would not be able to operate without a PST or HST. Also, I'll just add this was the time to do a PST/HST, coupled with a income tax cut (even a more significant one) and I think people would come on side.

Rant over...

 

[Spring2008]

Couple new projects may be close to starting in Inglewood.

I think the first one is a Batistella project.

Can’t remember the name of this one.

Bonus:

 

[MichaelS]

Blues by Battistella is starting up, the second one is unfortunatley just another heritage building lost due to neglect. No active proposal:

'Beyond words': Historic Inglewood building headed for demolition, tenants struggle to find alternative housing

The impending demolition of a century-old building in Calgary's oldest neighbourhood has left tenants scrambling to find alternative housing

calgaryherald.com

 

[Mountain Man]

Heard rumours the second one is a Truman build.

 

[Surrealplaces]

Heard rumours the second one is a Truman build.

Something was mentioned on the forum recently. I recall someone had purchased the land with the idea of developing it, bit can't find anything.

 

[lemongrab]

Cowboys Park Update:

https://livewirecalgary.com/2025/03/04/cowboys-park-plans-unveiled-by-the-city-of-calgary/

The polka dots and bushes should really tie the room together.

 

[DougB]

This will not happen but major city's need to have a move direct line to the federal government and not be a puppet of the provincial government.

Why blur accountability even more? Municipalities mostly provide local services, so why involve the Federal government which should focus on non-local issues like defence, trade and border security?

 

[CallmeCatbread]

Cowboys Park Update:

https://livewirecalgary.com/2025/03/04/cowboys-park-plans-unveiled-by-the-city-of-calgary/

The polka dots and bushes should really tie the room together.

This is honestly despicable. Imagine if this godforsaken town had even an ounce of ambition, we could have done something like the PNE in Vancouver.

It could become the premier festival space in thr city. It would be incredible.

But no. Instead of upgrading an obsolete and worthless park in the heart of downtown by building a permanent pavilion were just gonna pave over the entire damn thing and give it to the trashiest organization in the city. Absolutely pathetic.

 

[darwink]

the PNE in Vancouver.

Costs on that have risen from an original estimate of $65 million to $142 million.

Calgary should build something like it, but I am not sure where it would work. Going to produce a lot of noise. Vancouver is looking at 75 nights a year, and amplified sound is pointed out over the inlet.

 

[Roaring Flames]

An amphitheatre like that should be built along the elbow river where the saddledome parkade is currently

 

[CallmeCatbread]

Well clearly the city and organizers think that this park is a good location for festivals. We can debate the merits of that premise another time. What I'm saying is if we ARE going to do that, how about we actually put in some bloody effort and make it not suck for everyone. This current plan will facilitate even more noise in the area AND has the added effect of making an already awful park somehow even worse.