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.