first train to westhills
RigOrouS recyclers
City’s new west LRT line to open December 10
Calgarians keep 200 million kilograms out of city landfills commercial A14
Christian Twomey
green living A14
See My Ad on pg. A3 403.256.3888 Landan Real Estate
FREE nov 16 to nov 22 2012 issue 02-45 www.crebnow.com facebook.com/crebnow twitter.com/crebnow
Developers protest
drawn-out approvals process
Better communication needed to solve inconsistencies between parties
Some Calgary developers and builders are voicing frustration over The City of Calgary’s approval process for new communities. Citing inconsistencies in the time it takes to have projects approved, members of the development community are calling for better communication between the two parties. Reports have emerged of drastically different approval times for identical projects sent to city planners, including one northwest multiplex that saw one project approved in just three days while another took close to three months.
cody stuart
managing editor
SINGLE FAMILY
“On the multi-family builders side we’re seeing excessive wait times in regards to development permits,” said Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Calgary president Charron Ungar. “Particularly as builders, and not developers, we’re seeing that there is some inconsistency on responses to development or issues that come in the process in regards to development permits, specifically inspections and that sort of thing.” In a recent story told in The Calgary Herald, delays on a single home in southwest Calgary had cost a homebuilder more than $100,000 in
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MLS® NUMBER OF UNITS SOLD* OCT ‘10 – OCT ‘12
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity.
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applications, appeals and added construction costs. The comments from Ungar come on the heels of remarks from Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi who, following an admission that the City needs to cut “red tape” for developers, advised the city’s development community not to present the approvals board with “crap” projects. According to Ungar, the inconsistencies in the city’s dealings with the local development community has put some strain on the relationship between the two. “I’m not going to deny that there are
rising levels of tension with the process,” said Ungar, who also serves as the president of Calgary-based builder Avi Urban. “I don’t think that people wake up in the morning hellbent on [aggravating] the development industry. “I think we’re at a little bit of a crossroads right now in the growth of our city. We’re hitting a pretty sizeable population now where we’re getting different interest groups that are quite vocal (and) that would like to affect change in their own way.”
APPROVALS A3
City releases proposed adjustments for next two years
event listing
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he City of Calgary has released its proposed adjustments to 2013-14 business plans and budgets in advance of councils Nov. 26 deliberations. According to the City, the economy and social outlook for Calgary have remained stable and there have been no major changes since council approved the 2012-2014 plans.
municipal A3
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news briefs
Seller custom built entire place with the utmost care and craftsmanship. 2412 sq. ft. on the main level with an open plan. Kitchen is custom made larch from floor to ceiling. 50 upper cabinets and 28 drawers. All granite countertops and a must see kitchen. Huge master with 5 pc bath, huge walk-in closet and make-up room. Large family room and den. Larch custom machined walls and built-in cabinetry. Lower level has 2 fully developed suites; both are complete with their own kitchen and full bath and have their own outside entrance. This home is a work of art. The garage is a triple attached and is 28' x 40'. The shop is 64' x 44.6'. and is completely finished, including a 3 pc bath. R-35 insulation, radiant heating as well as roughed in for infloor heating. 220 power at 10 separate spots for running large machines. The barn is 48' x 52'. and has 3 stalls with doors to turn-out pens. 2 doors 12' x 15' to drive right through with hay truck. Self contained suite/apartment for barn help.
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