NOM: Agent of Change Policy Framework for Music, Arts, and Cultural Venues Sponsoring

RATIONALE

Calgary is experiencing sustained growth, intensification, and redevelopment across both established and emerging communities. As this evolution occurs, it is increasingly common for new residential, hotel, and mixed-use developments to be introduced in close proximity to long-standing music venues, performance spaces, and cultural establishments. These venues play an important role in Calgary’s economic development, tourism, and community identity, and are recognized contributors to the city’s creative economy.

In practice, land-use conflicts can arise when new development is not designed with sufficient consideration for existing surrounding uses. These conflicts most often relate to noise transmission, hours of operation, and overall compatibility between residential expectations and established cultural activity. In the absence of a clear and proactive policy framework, such issues are typically addressed after the fact through complaint-driven enforcement processes, which can create uncertainty for both residents and venue operators, and do not address the root cause at the planning and design stage.

An “Agent of Change” approach provides a widely recognized planning solution to this challenge. The principle assigns responsibility for mitigating potential land-use conflicts to the party introducing change, typically requiring new development to incorporate appropriate design, construction, and disclosure measures when locating near existing venues. This approach shifts the focus from reactive enforcement to proactive compatibility, supporting both growth and the long-term viability of cultural infrastructure.

Other Canadian municipalities, including Toronto, have implemented versions of this framework to balance intensification with the protection of cultural spaces. Calgary currently does not have a formalized policy of this nature, presenting an opportunity to explore how existing planning tools, policies, and bylaws could be enhanced or aligned to support a made-in-Calgary approach.

This Notice of Motion does not propose immediate regulatory change. Rather, it directs Administration to assess feasibility, implications, and implementation options for an Agent of Change framework within Calgary’s planning and development system. This includes examining how such an approach could integrate with existing statutory and non-statutory tools, align with ongoing work such as the Calgary Plan and Zoning Bylaw review, and complement, rather than replace, existing bylaws such as the Community Standards (Noise) Bylaw.

By taking a proactive, planning-based approach, this work aims to reduce future land-use conflicts, provide greater clarity for developers and communities, and support the continued contribution of music, arts, and cultural venues to Calgary’s economic and social vitality.

Letter of Support from Calgary Music Venues & Cultural Spaces and from the Industry that creates events in partnership.

Re: Notice of Motion Agent of Change Policy Framework for Music, Arts, and Cultural Venues

To Mayor and Members of Council,

We, the undersigned music venues, performance spaces, and cultural operators across Calgary, we are writing to express our strong support for the Notice of Motion brought forward by Councillor Clark to explore and implement an Agent of Change policy framework for music, arts, and cultural venues. Calgary’s music and cultural venues are vital contributors to the city’s economic, social, and

cultural life. Our spaces support local artists, create jobs, animate neighbourhoods, and provide gathering places that foster connection, identity, and belonging. From small independent venues

to established cultural hubs, we are proud to be part of a sector that makes Calgary a more vibrant and dynamic place to live. As Calgary continues to grow and intensify, many of our venues now operate alongside new residential and mixed-use developments. While this growth is important, it has introduced increasing challenges, particularly related to noise, operating hours, and land-use compatibility.

In the absence of a clear and proactive policy framework, these challenges are often addressed through reactive, complaint-driven processes. This creates uncertainty for venue operators,

residents, and developers alike, and can place long-standing cultural spaces at risk despite their established presence in the community. An Agent of Change framework offers a practical and balanced solution. By placing responsibility on the party introducing change, typically new development, to anticipate and mitigate potential impacts through building design, construction practices, and clear disclosure to future residents, Calgary can better support compatibility between uses while reducing conflict.

We support this Notice of Motion because it will:

● Encourage proactive planning and better design outcomes
● Provide clarity and predictability for venues, residents, and developers
● Reduce reliance on enforcement and complaint-based systems
● Protect and sustain Calgary’s existing cultural infrastructure
● Align Calgary with best practices adopted in other leading cities

A strong and sustainable city depends on preserving the spaces that contribute to its cultural identity while thoughtfully integrating new growth. This policy framework is an important step toward achieving that balance.

We respectfully urge Council to support this Notice of Motion and to work collaboratively with Calgary’s music and cultural community is advancing this initiative.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to a vibrant and creative Calgary.

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