Sent to Members of Council, City of Calgary
from the CBMCA Heritage Director
RE: Proposed Land Use Redesignation and ARP Amendment (LOC 2007-0053, M 2009-018) to allow Over-height development in the Historic Mission Cathedral District
I am writing this letter in my current capacity as Heritage Director, Board member and Development Committee member for the community association of Cliff Bungalow-Mission to request council to amend the land use proposal before you to specify no greater than the 23 meters height proposed by the current ARP, and not the 54 meters requested in the proposal. The relative height of development allowed by the above Redesignation compared to the height of St. Mary’s Cathedral, only 275 meters away, would diminish the prominence of the cathedral and the historic character of the Cathedral District.
The historic Cathedral district contains the very roots of the Mission neighbourhood and the early development of the city of Calgary. St. Mary’s Cathedral, by church architect, author, and poet Maxwell Bates, is the 6th incarnation of the Mission. The first Mission Notre Dame de la Paix (Our Lady of Peace) goes back to a log hut west of the city, built in 1872 by Métis Alexis Cardinal, as directed by Père Lacombe, to minister to the needs of a loosely scattered settlement of Métis and farmsteaders. Its 3rd and present location eventually became the centre of the Village of Rouleauville, incorporated in 1899, as evidenced by the built form which still remains in the district: the Convent by prominent architect William Stanley Bates (Maxwell’s father), the Parish Hall, and the Edouard Rouleau House.
The proposed site has very special opportunities for development. The cathedral anchors the south end of 1st Street S.W. which has excellent potential for a much needed French district in Calgary. There already exists architecture which alludes to both Roman Catholic and French architecture by small developments within or close to the district: Our Lady of Lourdes school, which replaced the original 1912 school, also by W.S. Bates), Rouleauville Park, Callebaut’s and La Chaumiere French restaurant.
The Mission ARP allows for sensitive development within the district, but with the obvious guidelines required to protect the sight lines of the Cathedral, and the cultural roots of the district:.
· “Development within 100 meters of St. Mary’s Cathedral should not exceed 6 storeys in height to maintain the prominence of the Cathedral.” (Part II, Section 9.1.3)
· Development “maintains and promotes the historic character of the Cathedral District.” (Part II, Section 8.2)
· Part III recommends that this property be redesignated to DC (RM-6) to permit residential policies and guidelines. It would allow for densification at a height of 23 meters (ample height considering this site is only 275 meters from the cathedral.)
The community understands that the economics must work for this development, and accordingly have indicated willingness to make a number of sacrifices:
· The loss of another character building, Sid’s Grocery, for the greater good of densification.
· Although the community would strongly prefer transit oriented development of low to medium income households, we appreciate that luxury condominiums generate higher profits. However, we draw the line at sacrificing the culture of the district to the additional profits a high rise development with spectacular views would generate.
· We have indicated earlier that we could be flexible with green space exchange to accommodate higher density at 23 meters.
I must mention one exception the community was obliged to make to allow excessive building height within the Cathedral District during the most recent ARP process, and that is the Convent site: if the Convent buildings are designated and retained as a Municipal Historic Resources then maximum heights at this site would be revisited. This demonstrated the lengths to which we have gone to protect the culture and built history of the district.
In closing, the Cathedral architect Maxwell Bates, already a specialist in church architecture, demonstrated exceptional respect to francophone and catholic culture in its design and sculpture by investing in significant research. Cliff Bungalow-Mission welcomes the same respectful redevelopment in this very special part of our neighbourhood. The maximum height of 23 meters proposed in the current ARP is already very generous.
We would have liked to explain this special cultural and historic significance to the Calgary Planning Commission, however, there appeared to be issues with the formal channels of notification and community consultation for this land use change and ARP amendment. However, if any members of council would like to learn more I would be very willing to personally guide them though a tour (in French or English) of this remarkable district.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Williams,
Heritage Director
Cliff Bungalow-Mission,
403-246-3878, marilynwilliams@shaw.ca