Residents say scaled back redevelopment proposal for Viscount Bennett site is still too big

In preparation for a public hearing at city hall, residents of southwest community Richmond Knob Hill are reigniting their concerns over the proposed redevelopment of the site of the former Viscount Bennett School.

But as Calgary grapples with an ongoing housing crisis, one city councillor wants both residents and the developers to be open minded when they hear each other's cases next month.

On a 4.6-hectare lot off of Crowchild Trail, developer Minto Group is proposing to build between 1,231 to 1,509 housing units across eight buildings — up to 16 storeys high — for its project, 2501 Richmond.

Minto's land use redesignation application, which would allow for low- and medium-rise residential buildings, goes to city council on April 8.

Kevin Widenmaier, president of the Richmond Knob Hill Community Association, said residents want council to vote against the application.

"What's been proposed by the developer in the last two years is really excessive and too dense for the area. Frankly, what's come across is multiple towers and high density buildings that are probably more appropriate for a Beltline or downtown area and not a medium-density, inner-city neighbourhood," said Widenmaier.

He said residents are also concerned about a lack of green space, insufficient transportation planning and a lack of community engagement from the developers.

Considering how many people would move into the units, he said they're also concerned about aging infrastructure.

Development plans scaled back

Minto purchased the land from the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) in 2023. The Viscount Bennett Centre — once home to the CBE's Chinook Learning Services and Viscount Bennett High School — is currently being demolished.

Over time, Minto has scaled back its plans for the development significantly. Its initial concept from November 2023 included more than 2,500 units and up to 30 storeys. Its latest concept, from this January, slashes the number of anticipated units and storeys roughly in half.

According to a written statement from Minto, it made those changes "based on community feedback" and evaluated the proposal against multiple existing city policies.

"Minto is committed to responsible development that is well supported by City infrastructure capacity. As with all projects of this scale, transportation and utility planning will continue in coordination with the City of Calgary to support current and future residents," the company said in a statement.

But the community isn't interested in what was originally proposed, according to Widenmaier, who said the project is still too big and would be better suited for a location like downtown.

After holding an open house, the community association created its own redevelopment proposal for the site. Its options include a maximum of 400 units and four acres of park space instead of the one acre Minto is planning.

Still, last month, Minto's latest plan received unanimous approval from the Calgary Planning Commission, with 33 conditions.

'Come in with open minds'

Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong, vice-chair of the city's community development committee, said he recognizes the community's concerns.

"It's like saying if I've held on to my cherished car for many, many years and somebody said, 'I'm going to replace it with something 21st century.' There is an adjustment as to, what am I giving up? What am I getting?" said Wong.

He said ultimately it comes down to developers initiating meaningful engagement that will build trust among residents. He said the public hearing on April 8 — when both sides are in the same room — is an opportunity to take a step toward that.

"What I will encourage both the developer … and the community [to do] is to come in with open minds and open hearts and see collectively what you can build."

If the application is approved by council, Wong said everyone involved can discuss other sticking points, including what infrastructure improvements need to be made and who's responsible for them.