Calgary Chinatown redevelopment gets icy reception

It was a full house Sunday in Calgary's Chinatown as residents and business owners listened intently to a developer's proposal for a new 27-storey tower.

The plan was initially approved in 2012 for a smaller buildingbut the developer is now seeking to amend the current height restriction to build a larger one.

• MORE LOCAL NEWS |Suburbs' fabric shifts as jobs move away from the downtown core
• MORE LOCAL NEWS |Canmore church bucks trend filling parish, looking to expand

The planned structure would have both residential and commercial space. The parcel of land is currently a parking lot.

Residents worry the building is too large and won't blend with the distinct architecture of the neighbourhood.

There is also concern the amendment will affect a new redevelopment plan announced for the community late last year.

Teresa Woo-Paw spoke against the project at a public information session Sunday afternoon. Woo-Paw is a former Calgary MLA.

"We have not been informed, we have not been properly engaged," Woo-Paw said.

"We need to look at how we're going to correct that to ensure that all the impacted people by these changes and by the future plan of Chinatown include the voices of Calgarians, and also residents and stakeholders of Chinatown."

Russ Mounty, asenior planner with the city,says residents have some outstanding questions.

"It is an increase in density in Chinatown, it will have an impact on the community," he said.

"It would increase shadowing although not on public spaces and I think they are legitimately concerned about the level of change."

The proposed land use amendments will be voted on by council in the coming weeks.

• 30-storey Chinatown development put on hold until spring
• Calgary seeks new direction for Chinatown after 30 years