Last fall, the community learned that the owners of the Shaw-Nee Slopes Golf Course had received an offer to purchase the land for residential development. Although the offer fell through, it became clear that we had to mobilize if we wanted to influence the changing landscape of our community. The Shawnee-Evergreen Community Association formed a Land Use Committee, which has been working on the golf course issue from two perspectives:

• Preparing to oppose an application from a future buyer to rezone the golf course land for residential development.
• To work with Shaw-Nee Slopes Golf Course representatives to find solutions that are agreeable to the community.  

• Highbury (240 units) across from Fish Creek LRT station,
• Canvas by Medican (300+ units) north of Sobeys,
• Evergreen Grove (193 units) in the heart of Evergreen, and
• Sanderson Ridge by Medican (354 units) north of 146 Ave SW in Evergreen.  

 We already have traffic problems that impact our daily commute and they will continue to grow when these developments open their doors to thousands of new residents. Now, imagine the impact of filling the many hectares of golf course land with more residential development. It’s scenarios like this that the volunteers are currently researching in preparation to oppose any future rezoning application.  

 Traffic is one area that the Land Use Committee is researching, but there are others including utilities, density and the relationship between the golf course and Fish Creek Park.  

 Approximately one dozen volunteers are actively engaged in research under the able direction of John Ackermans, a recently retired project manager. Although many live in the community, it is interesting to note that several volunteers are from neighbouring areas. They recognize the potential impact of losing the golf course to residential development and have stepped forward to lend their expertise.  

 This is a well organized, professional research team and they continue to welcome new volunteers each month. If you are interested in getting involved, we have a spot for you. You can expect to spend no more than two to three hours a week on this project. Feel free to contact me directly if you would like to learn more. We welcome any questions you may have about the work of the Land Use Committee and our efforts to prevent residential development of the golf course.  [edited for website by Norm Rousseau] You can click here, or on the Contact tab in the upper right corner of this site, and submit a short note or attach a file. We’ll get back to you directly and, if appropriate, post our response online.   

Richard Arnold
Chair,
Land Use Committee
Shawnee Evergreen Community Association
403-236-9350 / arnoldrm@shaw.ca 

Land Use Committee Update

In the last edition of the Shawnee Evergreen Community Association (SECA) newsletter, we reported that we were hoping to meet with representatives of Shaw-Nee Slopes Golf Course to discuss the potential sale of this important community landmark. I’m pleased to let you know that Guy Matheson, SECA President, and I met with General Manager David Moote. The meeting was productive and positive, and opened the door to new opportunities for cooperation.

We discussed, in broad terms, different scenarios for the golf course and have agreed that SECA will support future plans that are acceptable to the community. That could mean, for example, that we will help facilitate communication between the golf course and residents of surrounding communities. We could also help the golf course lobby the City for necessary approvals – but only if the golf course plans are in alignment with our goals as a community. As we do not yet have a clear indication of the owners’ future plans for the course, we will continue to also invest energy in preparing to oppose any plans to redevelop the land for residential use. However, the meeting was a big step forward in terms of establishing dialogue on an issue that is critical to our community.

At the meeting, we also learned that the golf course has received an unusual number of phone calls from community residents expressing concern about the potential redevelopment of the land. While this is understandable, some of the calls were harassing in nature – aggressive in tone, etc. We believe these calls have come from a very small number of residents and do not reflect the character of our community, which is known for its good will and quiet nature. Phone calls like this do not help us maintain open communication with the golf course, which is in the best interest our residents, so we respectfully ask that they stop. Be assured that we will speak strongly on behalf of the community.

On March 18th, the Land Use Committee hosted a meeting for potential volunteers willing to help the community do research on issues related to opposing residential development of golf course land. About a dozen people attended. We are always looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in helping, please give me a call at the number below.

We received a letter of support from Millrise Community Association and expect others to follow shortly. Thank you, Millrise!

In other news, we followed up on a call from a resident, who inquired about surveying and soil testing activity taking place in Evergreen. The City of Calgary is creating stormwater run-off containments in communities bordering Fish Creek. Deep pipes will collect stormwater and snowmelt, and transport it to Fish Creek where the sediment will settle in ponds, purifying the water before it joins the natural water system. The City held a community meeting, but it was not well advertised. We contacted the City’s Project Engineer, who was very informative and cooperative. He said they will be hosting another community meeting to talk about the specific design of the system. We have asked to be notified about this event and we will post that information on our website: www.shawnee-evergreen.net.

By the time this edition of the newsletter hits your mailbox, the revamped SECA website should be up and running. The address stays the same, but the new look is vibrant and dynamic – in keeping with our community. Check it out at www.shawnee-evergreen.net. There you will find all the latest information about the community, including updates on the potential sale of the golf course.      

Richard Arnold
Chair, Land Use Committee
Shawnee Evergreen Community Association
(403) 236-9350/ arnoldrm@shaw.ca

Land Use Committee Update

 When Shawnee Evergreen Community Association (SECA) called a community meeting to discuss the potential sale of the Shaw-Nee Slopes Golf Course on November 13th, 2007, more than 220 people attended the event. Concern was palpable. The Golf Course had received an offer to purchase and we faced the grim potential of losing the property to residential development. The Community was motivated to act. News that the offer to purchase had fallen through shortly before Christmas offered welcome relief. However, it is reasonable to assume there will be other offers. Since Christmas, the owners of the Golf Course have sold two residential lots adjacent to the course on Evergreen Street and Shawnee Drive. Although not confirmed, this may be an indication of the owners’ continued intention to sell the Golf Course. Given the impact this will have on the Community, we are requesting a formal meeting with Golf Course representatives to discuss the owners’ plans for the property. As a Community, we are not privy to negotiations between the owners and potential buyers. Our first significant opportunity to influence the sale will happen when a potential buyer applies to the City of Calgary to have the Golf Course land rezoned from recreational to residential use. We do not know when this will happen, so we need to be prepared in advance. The Land Use Committee is hosting a meeting on the evening of March 18th to recruit volunteers and discuss plans to research areas relevant to opposing a land use rezoning proposal (e.g., traffic and environmental impact). At the time of this article, the meeting had not yet taken place but we are hoping for a good turn out.

When the Community meeting was held on November 13th, more than 60 people signed up to volunteer. When contacted later, after the Golf Course sale fell through, enthusiasm waned and fewer people were inclined to help. While understandable – we’re all busy – we need to recognize the continued urgency of this situation. If we are unprepared, we will lose this fight. Alternatively, if we work together, we can shape this Community’s landscape. We have the right to ask that the land be retained for recreational use. 

If you are concerned about the impact of losing 54-hectares of Golf Course land to residential development, please consider joining our volunteers. It’s not all hard work; in fact, it’s a great way to learn more about the community and meet your neighbours. Sue Saunders, our Volunteer Coordinator, can tell you more about the wide variety of ways to get involved. You can reach her at sue@suesaunders.com and 256-7563. All hands are welcome.

Land Use Committee Update

As the Calgary Herald reported on January 31st (“Neighbours claim victory in redevelopment battle”), Shawnee Evergreen residents breathed a sigh of relief when we heard that the potential offer to purchase Shaw-Nee Slopes Golf Course fell through shortly before Christmas. Although the golf course land is privately owned, the community is concerned that redevelopment will dramatically change the landscape and the quality of life for all residents south of Fish Creek – not only those who live on or near the golf course. For example, the new Highbury development near the Fish Creek LRT will add 240 units of high density housing. Imagine the additional impact of rezoning the golf course’s 54-hectares for residential development… anyone south of Fish Creek who commutes to work or school will feel the impact.

Last fall, when we heard the golf course owners were considering an offer to purchase, the Shawnee Evergreen Community Association (SECA) organized a community meeting. More than 220 residents attended the November meeting, which is an indication of the community’s high level of concern. Residents had an opportunity to ask questions of panel members Alderman Diane Colley-Urquhart, Shawnee Evergreen Community Association President Guy Matheson, Land Use Committee Chair Richard Arnold and committee members Norm Rousseau and David Jacobs. Sue Saunders, Past President of the Community Association, acted as moderator. Residents raised a variety of concerns regarding environmental impact, property values, traffic congestion, etc. A written summary of the Q & A is available on the SECA website at www.shawnee-evergreen.net.

At the meeting, residents also learned that the Association has created a Land Use Committee to focus on this important issue. Although one potential sale fell through, it is reasonable to assume that there will be other offers – and SECA will be prepared.

The Land Use Committee’s able-bodied team of volunteers has already established a strategy framework and a communications plan. They are also researching community impact in preparation for any future application by developers to rezone the land from its current designation as recreational use to residential development.

The Land Use Committee needs volunteers in a variety of areas. If you would like to help in a big or small way, please contact Sue Sanders, our Volunteer Coordinator at sue@suesaunders.com, (403)256-7563. All hands are welcome.

The Land Use Committee has been spreading the news about the current status of the golf course through emails, phone calls, the SECA website www.shawnee-evergreen.net and this newsletter. If you would like to be included in the email or phone call distribution list, please contact the Land Use Committee’s Communications Lead, Divona Herzog, at Divona@herzog-associates.com, (403)254-1672.

Richard Arnold
Chair, Land Use Committee
Shawnee Evergreen Community Association
(403) 236-9350/ arnoldrm@shaw.ca

• Framework established. The Project Development Committee (now named the Land Use Committee) met on January 14th to approve a Strategy Framework and a Communications Plan. Both documents have since been approved by the Shawnee-Evergreen Community Association Board (January 16th). 
  
  
• Communication. The Committee discussed the importance of increasing awareness among community members regarding the current status of the golf course. In addition to an announcement in the February edition of the community newsletter and updates on the website, an email was sent to all community association members (January 17th) for whom the association had email addresses. If you did not receive an email but would like to be included in future distributions, please contact Divona Herzog, Communications Lead, at Divona@herzog-associates.com.  
  
  
• Volunteers. Individuals who have indicated an interest in volunteering were contacted by email (January 19th) or phone. Several volunteer opportunities have been identified. The current priority is to research the various issues related to the impact on the community and surrounding areas if the golf course is redeveloped. The issues currently include traffic, land titles and caveats, schools, utilities, environment, and golf course usage and availability. This research will put the community in a better position to react if another potential purchaser comes forward. In addition, we are committed to maintaining an active communication program with community and may need some help writing, editing, etc.  If you are interested in volunteering for these or other opportunities, we would like to hear from you. Please contact Sue Saunders, Volunteer Coordinator, at sue@suesaunders.com or call 256-7563.