Updated December 2010. Go to the bottom post for the latest.
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First posted January 11, 2006...
The Hart House owner, residents of Patterson Heights, some Hart family members, Ald. Craig Burrows and others have been debating the future of the historic Crandell-Hart house and the surrounding property. See photo below.
In April Calgary Planning Commission approved a plan for the Hart/Crandell house site that would preserve the historic house while building townhouses around the property. The plan has changed several times since it entered the public process late in 2005. Some neighbours have opposed the plan (or some versions of it) due to issue such as density, traffic, architectural style of the townhouses, or views. Some have proposed that the Hart house should become a public facility like the Lougheed House.
The developer says that the condos are necessary to fund the retention and repair of the house and City planners agree. The proposal is supported by the Calgary Heritage Authority (see below for a link describing their role) because it saves the house, which will be designated a municipal heritage site. CHI agrees that the proposal going to Council is a fair deal for heritage. On rare occasions public authorities spend public money or use overriding legislative power (e.g. provincial heritage site designation) to preserve a heritage site. But typically there is a negotiation with the owner, giving them added density for their project (for example) in exchange for preserving heritage. Many heritage resources are preserved in this way.
Here is the administration report to Calgary Planning Commission regarding the Hart House. It is a pdf file. http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/BU/pla ... 4_0098.pdf
NEW The latest plan, with a reduced number of townhouses, is posted on Ald. Burrows’ website: http://www.craigburrows.ca/090606_files/page0009.htm
NEW Specific changes include:
• Overall density reduced from 21 to 16 units;
• Development form changed from townhouse to semi and single-detached;
• Mass reduced with the elimination of 5 townhouse units;
• Views increased to the Crandell-Hart House with the introduction of separations between the units;
• Visitor parking increased from 8 to 13 stalls
NEW Here is a link to the Council Agenda, including links to the latest plan:
http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server.pt/ ... %2D06%2D19
A letter from Ald. Burrows to the province, seeking designation as a provincial heritage site. If the province agrees, this would preserve the house and perhaps stop the townhouse development: http://www.craigburrows.ca/15_files/page0023.htm
This will be debated at a Public Hearing of City Council on June 19. If you have any comment, the area alderman is Craig Burrows, craig.burrows@calgary.ca, or you can contact your own Alderman. As always, a cc. to info@calgaryheritage.ca is appreciated.
You can find the latest news about the Hart House on Ald. Burrows' site, www.craigburrows.ca - click on Current Events and follow the links.
For a 2004 story about the Hart/Crandell house, go here:
http://www.cren.ca/content_view2?CONTENT_ID=1602
Here is a link to the CHA: http://content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+Hall ... hority.htm
Glenbow photo on the Calgary Real Estate News website: