Calgary Minute: Vehicle Noise, MNP Expansion, and Transit Bylaw Amendments

Calgary Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Calgary politics

This Week In Calgary:

• This morning, at 9:00 am, there will be a meeting of the Green Line Board. Given all that’s happened recently, we’ll be watching this meeting carefully! Also this morning, at 9:30 am, there will be a Strategic Meeting of Council. There is a single, confidential item on the agenda - a preview of Mid-Cycle Adjustments to the 2023-2026 Service Plans and Budgets. Oh good - spending they’re not telling us about yet!
  
  
• On Tuesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a City Council meeting. Council will field a procedural request to add The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary) as a location for the September 23rd Indigenous Focused Council Meeting. Council will also discuss the Green Line LRT Phase 1 Project Wind Down Plan and receive a briefing on supports for businesses impacted by the Bearspaw South Feeder Main repairs. The Calgary Planning Commission will meet on Thursday at 1:00 pm. The agenda includes several land use amendments.
  
  
• Council is considering amendments to its transit bylaw, aimed at enhancing safety for bus and train operators. The proposed changes would give transit peace officers greater authority to address issues like loitering, fare evasion, and the use of fake passes. Additionally, the amendments would allow officers to request proof of age from passengers under 12, ban visible weapons on transit, and double fines for harassment or threats. Another amendment would add that non-destination use of transit is not allowed, even if you have paid for a bus or train pass. The changes also include removing time restrictions on bringing bicycles onto CTrains.

Last Week In Calgary:

• Calgary is moving forward with plans to address excessive vehicle noise, after the Community Development Committee endorsed amendments to the traffic bylaw. The proposed changes aim to give bylaw officers more power to enforce noise limits, targeting vehicles emitting sound over 92 decibels while idling or 96 decibels while moving. The amendments also include higher fines and mandatory sound testing for non-compliant vehicles. A new traffic safety team is being created to help enforce these rules and lighten the police workload. The City plans to implement the changes by next spring, along with a public education campaign.
  
  
• Calgarians got a look at plans for the MNP Community & Sport Centre’s $87.5 million expansion, scheduled to start this fall. The project will add a new front entryway, a lazy river, hot tub, water slides, a wading pool, play structure, universal change rooms, and viewing areas. The expansion will be funded by the City ($57.5 million), the Province ($20 million), and corporate and individual donors ($10 million). Construction is expected to take 30 months, with most existing facilities remaining operational during this period.
  
  
• Residents and business owners gathered at Savanna Bazaar in northeast Calgary to voice concerns over escalating social disorder in the mall's parking lot, including vehicle stunting, speeding, and harassment. About 100 people attended the forum, which was organized by Councillor Raj Dhaliwal, Calgary Police Service (CPS), and plaza management. Issues have been growing since late 2023. While speed bumps and other measures have been implemented, and police efforts continue, residents are calling for increased law enforcement and more stringent regulations. Dhaliwal acknowledged the need for ongoing improvements and hopes new bylaw amendments will help address these problems.

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