Secondary suites will not fly in most of Inglewood

The owners of more than 1,000 properties in Inglewood were surprised recently to find out they aren't allowed to put a secondary suite in their house.

The city says there can be no densification of properties in much of the inner-city community because of a provincial regulation:the Airport Vicinity Protection Area (AVPA).

The regulation dates back to 1979. It limits development on flight paths near the Calgary International Airport and limits the number of people exposed to higher levels of aircraft noise.

The goal is to safeguard the airport's operations and protect the public.

'There's no warning on the title'

City council recently voted to examine whether Calgarians support removing Inglewood from the terms of the AVPA.

Last month, the city mailed out letters to property owners to alert them that while existing residences are grandfathered, no new development can take place on their property.

This means properties cannot be subdivided and no new residential units can be developed on lands covered by the AVPA.

A planner with the City of Calgary, Nick Makale, tells CBC News the feedback he's getting is that many residents were caught off-guard.

"Property owners who had no idea that the regulation is in place are also surprised that their properties are affected. There's no warning on the title," said Makale.

Public meeting

If anyone in the affected area of Inglewood applies for a secondary suite, they'llnever make it to city council for a hearing.

"When they apply, they are likely to be advised when they come up to the front counter to reconsider because the city will not support an application at this time for a secondary suite in that area," said Makale.

The question of whether the city should ask the province to exempt Inglewood from the AVPA will be discussed at a public meeting on Tuesday night.

The Inglewood Community Association is taking a wait-and-see attitude.

A vice president with the association, Leslie Robertson, said the group wants to hear what local residents think about the change, which would open the door for more development in thecommunity.

"There are all sorts of implications. Obviously, noise. Density issues. Environmental issues," said Robertson.

"So these are issues that we've been exploring and assessing, weighing. It's not simple. It is complex."

Airport doesn't want changes

The facility the AVPA is designed to protect is much clearer on how it feels about exempting Inglewood.

The Calgary Airport Authority opposes any changes to the AVPA.

The Inglewoodarea in question falls directly under YYC'sflight path for itswest runway17R/35L, saysJody Moseley with the authority.

She said while the airportsupports city efforts to grow and develop vibrant neighbourhoods, it should respect the terms of the AVPA.

"Development should follow the land development guidelines that have been designed to ensure that densification is not occurring in areas already impacted by aircraft noise," said Moseley.

Transport Canada also does not support residential development in areas affected by aircraft noise.

Consultations

The city is holding an open house on Tuesday night at the Alexandra Centre in Inglewood. Online public consultation will continue over the summer.

Administrators will prepare a report for city council this fall.

If council votes to ask the provincial government to exempt Inglewood from the AVPA, a letter would likely go to Edmonton early in 2017.

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