This article originally appeared in the Calgary Herald
By John Pantazopoulos
In 1998, Statesman Villas pitched The Landings, a development in Signal Hill that stood out for all the right reasons. Sure, it wasn’t the most ambitious project Calgary had ever seen, yet it was rooted in respect for the people who already lived in the area.
The developer could have crammed more units onto the parcel. Instead, they worked with the councillor and residents to find a balance. As the Calgary Herald reported at the time, they settled on a number that “everyone (was) comfortable with.”
The result? A development that included semi-detached villas, duplexes, and low-rise apartments, while preserving 60 per cent of the land as green space. Everyone walked away feeling like they’d had their voices heard.
Now, fast forward to today, and it feels like we’ve lost sight of that approach.
In December 2024, City Council pulled the plug on RioCan’s redevelopment plans for the Glenmore Landing shopping centre. It started out as a solid idea for transit-linked development, before veering off course when the scope expanded to include the possibility of up to 15 towers, some reaching 30 storeys in the future. Neighbours didn’t see that coming.
Now, Truman Homes is looking to move the goalposts on its high-rise project near 85th Street and Old Banff Coach Road S.W.. What was originally capped at 30 metres is now proposed to soar to 90 metres, in places — just shy of the Statue of Liberty’s height.
If approved and built, the supersized towers would become some of the tallest buildings west of the city’s core. This area is planned for growth, but adding another 2,200 units goes far beyond what’s reasonable.
It’s no wonder people are concerned. At a Community Association meeting in January, I heard neighbours describe the plan as “absolutely crazy” and a “big threat for everyone.”
These are families raising valid concerns about traffic, overstretched city services and schools that are already bursting at the seams. When folks feel caught off guard by decisions that change their neighbourhoods, it’s no surprise they start to lose trust. I get it.
This isn’t about opposing growth - far from it. Most people in our community love the idea of new shops and services alongside these residential projects. Welcoming new neighbours is part of what makes our city great.
The point stands: Responsible growth means making sure these projects are communicated to the community.
Yet, the chair of the West Springs-Cougar Ridge Community Association's planning committee told CBC Calgary at the end of January that his group was “caught by surprise” by the proposed extension and he was disappointed by the lack of engagement.
Back in the ’90s, leaders like then Ward 6 City Councillor Dave Bronconnier worked with developers to find balance on projects like The Landings. They listened, adjusted and made decisions that worked for families, builders and the city. That kind of teamwork seems to be missing today.
Before any changes are made at West District, we need to pause and ensure this project aligns with the principles of thoughtful development - principles that prioritize collaboration, infrastructure readiness and community input.
Right now, the developer is asking the City to amend the area plan to make its vertical expansion at West District possible.
While many in the community had hoped for and asked for an open house with the developer prior to the submission deadline, we anxiously await the opportunity to present our thoughts to the City Council in due course.
Going forward, there needs to be a commitment to finding solutions that work for everyone, rather than pushing the limits. After all, Calgary became one of the world’s most livable cities because we worked together to build communities that thrive.
It’s time to get back to that mindset.
John Pantazopoulos, CFA, ICD.D, is a finance professional, energy entrepreneur and candidate for Calgary City Council in Ward 6.
