Position Statement
Regarding the Redevelopment of the
King Edward School Site

February 2, 2008

The South Calgary Community Association (“SCCA”) represents the communities of Altadore, Garrison Woods, River Park and South Calgary (the “Community”). While the SCCA does not have a predetermined opinion on the use of the King Edward School site (“King Edward School”), the SCCA has endorsed a set of principles that it expects to be incorporated into the King Edward School redevelopment. The SCCA primary concerns and goals are (i) the preservation and restoration of the King Edward School, (ii) that redevelopment of the King Edward School site is positively integrated into the Community within its current R-2 zoning and (ii) maintenance of some open space for the Community.

SCCA has not been presented with a definitive plan for the redevelopment of King Edward School, but once received and in keeping with the City approved development process, the SCCA will provide a formal response with the input of Community residents.

Our Position Statement is based on a number of observations and assumptions regarding King Edward School and its redevelopment, which form the foundation of our Development Principles.

Observations & Assumptions

1. King Edward School is zoned R-2 district (residential low density district), which allows for modest single and semi-detached dwellings. The Calgary Board of Education (“CBE”) Public Tender dated April 27, 2007 made no commitments or encouraged higher density development of King Edward School to any prospective purchaser.
   
   
2. The South Calgary / Altadore Area Redevelopment Plan (“SCARP”) does not propose any changes to the R-2 zoning of King Edward School.
   
   • It is assumed that the landowners in the surrounding area purchased their properties with the expectation that open space would remain or there would be compatible residential development within the existing zoning of King Edward School.
   
   
3. The SCARP (pg. 19) states that, “While the amount of open space per person (including school sites) in South Calgary/Altadore is presently considered adequate, there are several areas of concern.” One of the identified concerns is that the school sites are not owned by the City and that if they were, “declared surplus and disposed of for other uses, the amount of available open space in the community would be reduced below normally accepted open space standards.”
   
   
4. As a consequence of the potential for closure of two schools at that time (1986), SCARP Policy 4.3.2 states that “the City will consider the acquisition of portions of the Dr. Oakley Centre and Clinton Ford School sites should they be declared surplus by the CBE to maintain an adequate distribution of open space...”
   
   • The SCCA is in the process of determining if Municipal Reserve has been collected for King Edward School site.
     
     
5. The Municipal Government Act allows Municipalities, at the time of subdivision, to acquire without compensation up to 10% of the land that is to be subdivided. This land, known as Municipal Reserve, can be used for parks and pathways.
   • The SCCA is in the process of determining if Municipal Reserve has been collected for the site.
     
     
6. The SCCA notes that, although the City’s Inventory of Potential Heritage Sites has placed King Edward School in Category A (the highest ranked category), neither the City nor the Province have provided official designation and the requisite resources to ensure preservation. In addition, the past owner (CBE), has not committed any funds to the King Edward School’s restoration, but noted the CBE Tender encouraged any development “retain and restore the original (sandstone) portion of the school”.
   
   
7. With respect to acquisition costs of the King Edward School by the present owner, the SCCA assumes the purchaser paid fair market value for the lands on an “as is” basis, including zoning, building condition and Community expectations, while recognizing the future costs of redevelopment within the existing zoning.

Development Principles

The SCCA recognizes the historical significance of King Edward School and supports its preservation and renovation, provided a number of Community concerns can be addressed through adherence to the following development principles.

Site Design

1. King Edward School, opened in 1912, has been a public facility for almost 100 years. While the SCCA recognizes the value in maintaining the historical appearance of King Edward School we strongly believe that it should not become an entirely private space. Therefore, we encourage a certain portion of the site redevelopment shall continue to be accessible to the public.
   
   
2. Urban design principles shell be incorporated into the redevelopment of King Edward School. Urban design considers all aspects of how the redeveloped site will be integrated into the surrounding Community. It focuses on public space, landscaping, pedestrian movement and traffic flow in addition to building design.
   
   
3. Any new proposed buildings must reflect the context of the existing Community and King Edward School. Building design shall have a scale, mass and height that is compatible with the area and does not adversely affect adjacent development. It shall allow for adequate sunlight penetration, mitigate shadow impacts, onsite parking (resident and guest) and incorporate design details, facade articulation, roof lines and streetscape which respect the character of the Community and school. In addition, the Development Guidelines of the Area Redevelopment Plan are to be honoured.
   
   
4. Any development on the open space of King Edward School will result in a significant loss of open space to the Community. We encourage a significant portion of the site shall remain as public open space that is fully developed as urban parkland.

Community Impact

5. In our Community, land use planning through the use of R-2 zoning has incorporated the principle of increasing inner city residential density. R-2 zoning allows the conversion of traditional single-family dwellings into semi-detached or infill housing. This conversion is ongoing, and the Community has experienced, since January 1, 2004, the largest number of approved Development Permit applications (348) within the City of Calgary, outside of “greenfield developments”. The SCCA will continue to support appropriate infill housing development within R-2 zoned sites, and believes King Edward School should be redeveloped within its existing R-2 zoning.
   
   
6. Parts of the Community have been zoned for low to medium density multi-family dwellings. The clear demarcation line in the area of King Edward School is 29th Avenue, where RM-4 zoning exists to the north of 29th Avenue. To the west, east and south of King Edward School is R-2 zoning. We believe this demarcation has to continue, and higher density development is not to encroach into existing R-2 zoned areas.
   
   • If redevelopment of King Edward School proposes an increase in residential density beyond the current designation, the SCCA will review the proposal with a specific view on the impact to the Community, including massing, design, height, parking and traffic considerations.
     
     
7. The SCCA does not support any type of commercial rezoning of the King Edward School site.
   
   
8. Traffic and parking impacts associated with redevelopment must be fully understood and mitigated. Any development must provide for sufficient onsite parking for the residents and discourage the street as the source of parking for the residents. The Community is already seeing limited street parking due to higher density development and increased traffic. The SCCA is particularly concerned in the immediate area of King Edward School, as cut through traffic increases and raises safety concerns in the designated playground zone around the Community grounds located to the southeast of King Edward School.

Position Satement Summary

The SCCA is open to discussion on the future redevelopment of the King Edward School and will engage the Community residents when a definitive redevelopment proposal is provided for our consideration. It is our belief that redevelopment must follow the existing R-2 zoning guidelines for King Edward School and provide a resulting development that positively integrates itself within the Community. Any proposal to increase density will need to provide sufficient details for the SCCA to review within the Development Principles described above.