Revised Currie Barracks plan shown to public

Calgarians were given a chance to lookat the revised plans for the redevelopment of Currie Barracks in the citys southwest on Wednesday.

The master plan for the former military base by developer Canada Lands Company (CLC)was originally approved in 2007 for about 3,200 units of mixed housing.

• Currie Barracks updated, denser redevelopment plan unveiled

A higher-density plan now envisions about 5,200 units, including single- detached housing, apartments and condominiums, plus retail and office space and a network of open spaces and pathways.

At Wednesdays open house, city officials updated the public following public engagement sessions held last year.

We heard what citizens had to say about the proposal, now we want to let the public know how its feedback was used, what has changed in the application and what will be included in the recommendation to the Calgary planning commission, said Craig Sklenar, a senior city planner in a release.

But some people who live nearby are still worried about the effect on local traffic.

When I see these plans here and they say, oh these roads are going to be developed here in the future, but what do you call the future, because the way the city works youre going to be waiting years for LRT's or buses, said Shirley Simmering.

Ward 11 Coun. Brian Pincott says the development strikes the balance the city needs.

When we talk about how we want to build our city denser, mixed use, make sure that we're providing a walkable, bikeable community, making sure that we're providing lots of transit options, this seems to be hitting all the right notes, he said.

Meera Nathwani-Crow, who speaks for the adjacent district of Rutland Park, says one thing seems to be missing.

This development plan does not allow for any additional community space, she said.

So we're quite challenged on how we're going to build that inclusive community where everyone is going to have a space, when we don't actually have physical space for us to use.

The plan goes before city council in May.