Flood diversion tunnel backed by Calgary council committee
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/flood-diversion-tunnel-backed-by-calgary-council-committee-1.2678850
Flood Watch, Rainfall Warnings issued in Southern Alberta
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/flood-watch-rainfall-warnings-issued-in-southern-alberta-1.2677126
Flood Stories: Getting by with some help from his friends
http://globalnews.ca/news/1338104/flood-stories-getting-by-with-some-help-from-his-friends/
Cost of Flood Mitigation Tunnel Soars:
http://globalnews.ca/news/1393415/cost-of-flood-mitigation-tunnel-soars-to-nearly-500m/
Flood Preparation in the Urban Core
http://www.mailoutinteractive.com/Industry/View.aspx?id=579951&q=745362916&qz=d67b61
Anxiety felt in well-off Calgary neighbourhood
http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/06/10/anxiety-felt-in-well-off-calgary-neighbourhood
Calgary Report Puts $457M Price Tag On Flood Tunnel
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-report-puts-457m-price-tag-on-flood-tunnel-1.2674046
WestJet Founder: Flood Mitigation Vital to Calgary
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/flood-mitigation-vital-to-calgary-says-westjet-founder-1.2664093
Calgary Flood Projects In Full Swing
http://alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=366163F3DB75C-BA95-5550-1093720A8444E775
Communities Get Helping Hand to Stand Up to Floods, Drought
http://alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=3661015040906-CDBC-A3E4-53B6EEF22EF29430
Residents win rule change for riverside renovations
By Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald June 9, 2014 11:29 PM
Homeowners in the flood zone can build major additions without having to move their furnaces out of the basement — in all but the most extreme cases — after council further softened city planners’ new rules for renovations near the river.
Residents near the Elbow and Bow Rivers had strongly protested rule changes that would require moving electrical panel, ductwork and furnace out of basement for renovations like a new mud room or garage.
After council ordered staff to reconsider the rules last month, planners revised rules to say that moving mechanical systems would only be required in more dramatic house renovations, waterproof chambers would be OK in others, and no extra mitigation measures would be required for alterations of 10 per cent or less.
The rules still weren’t clear enough or suitable for several residents affected by last June’s flood. Elbow Park resident Paul Battistella said moving things upstairs would have cost five to six times more than it did to replace all his basement systems.
“We have suffered enough,” said Battistella, a prominent condo developer.
It’s especially hard to rework all the systems in older homes, and many of those would become teardowns, he said.
“I certainly don’t want any flood protection rules to hasten the demise of a heritage building,” Coun. Druh Farrell said.
“We need to embed that in the rules so we’re more conscious of it as an impact.”
Homeowners making additions of 10 per cent or greater will have to install sewer valves and above-ground electrical shut-off switch. Fully rebuilt homes in the flood fringe zone are already required to establish mechanical systems above the ground level.
After several hours of debate, councillors dismissed the advice of its planners Monday. They exempted homeowners from having to protect their mechanical systems unless their renovation was expanding a house by 75 per cent or more, and enshrined those exemptions in a bylaw.
“Protecting (owner) rights here is important,” Coun. Evan Woolley said.
Planners felt their tweaks were sufficient.
“We think that we have accommodated basically everything that people have raised,” said Darrell Sargent, project manager for the flood hazard bylaw changes.
But many residents had not felt they were consulted at open houses on changes that could greatly harm their property values.
“We weren’t there to be engaged. We were told what the bylaws were going to say,” said Brenda Leeds-Binder of the Calgary River Communities Action Group.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi supported the changes, but he pushed back against residents’ suggestions the changes were needlessly intrusive on individual homeowners. Firefighters or police officers could risk their lives trying to shut off power or natural gas in a water-filled basement, he noted, although no such cases occurred last summer.
“We do need to think through what the community cost is here, in addition to the individual risk,” the mayor said.
[email protected]
Calgary diversion tunnel would hit downstream dam with heavier flows
http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/1040959/calgary-diversion-tunnel-would-hit-downstream-dam-with-heavier-flows/
Flood Monitoring Update
http://www.mailoutinteractive.com/Industry/View.aspx?id=569273&q=734584991&qz=345200
Five ways Calgary is preparing for potential floods | video
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Five+flood+preparation+strategies/9812938/story.html
Canmore keeping close eye on water levels after rain and snow
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Canmore+closely+watches+Cougar+Creek+after+weekend/9808534/story.html
Calgary Prepares for Possible Flooding
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2014/04/10/calgary-prepares-for-possible-flooding/
City wants Calgarians to be prepared for upcoming flood season
http://bit.ly/OQZthT
City asks for $16 million for immediate flood repairs
http://bit.ly/1esT4Gd
Calgary flood victims wary of spring melt, as rebuild continues
http://globalnews.ca/news/1258577/calgary-flood-victims-wary-of-spring-melt-as-rebuild-continues/
City investigates separate flood drainage systems
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Calgary+investigates+separate+flood+drainage+systems/9721269/story.html
Another flood is unlikely but Calgarians should be prepared: Nenshi
http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/999099/another-flood-is-unlikely-but-calgarians-should-be-prepared-nenshi/
Priority flood projects named by city committee
Warning speakers on fire halls, emergency radio system among projects that made the list
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/priority-flood-projects-named-by-city-committee-1.2603094
Calgary stocking up on flood protection tools
http://bit.ly/1hHny1H
Emergency boss warns against civilians building their own flood protection
Burrell says sandbags could become safety hazard
http://bit.ly/1ehGhWP
City upgrades systems for flood protection
http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/city-upgrades-systems-for-flood-protection-1.1769459
Flood mitigation work lacks transparency, Sunnyside residents complain
Group draws up Power Point presentation of projects it wants city to consider
http://bit.ly/1sNOB4A
Calgary’s flood preparedness plan irks recent flood victims
http://globalnews.ca/news/1261618/calgarys-flood-preparedness-plan-irks-recent-flood-victims/
Calgary flood victims wary of spring melt, as rebuild continues
http://globalnews.ca/news/1258577/calgary-flood-victims-wary-of-spring-melt-as-rebuild-continues/
City asks for $16 million for immediate flood repairs
James Maxim quoted on concerns about homeowners
http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/04/08/city-asks-for-16-million-for-immediate-flood-repairs
Rideau-Roxboro flood audit to gauge sense of readiness
Red Cross and community activists asking residents of the flooded river community how they feel as June nears
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/rideau-roxboro-flood-audit-to-gauge-sense-of-readiness-1.2596879
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/flood-diversion-tunnel-backed-by-calgary-council-committee-1.2678850
Flood Watch, Rainfall Warnings issued in Southern Alberta
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/flood-watch-rainfall-warnings-issued-in-southern-alberta-1.2677126
Flood Stories: Getting by with some help from his friends
http://globalnews.ca/news/1338104/flood-stories-getting-by-with-some-help-from-his-friends/
Cost of Flood Mitigation Tunnel Soars:
http://globalnews.ca/news/1393415/cost-of-flood-mitigation-tunnel-soars-to-nearly-500m/
Flood Preparation in the Urban Core
http://www.mailoutinteractive.com/Industry/View.aspx?id=579951&q=745362916&qz=d67b61
Anxiety felt in well-off Calgary neighbourhood
http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/06/10/anxiety-felt-in-well-off-calgary-neighbourhood
Calgary Report Puts $457M Price Tag On Flood Tunnel
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-report-puts-457m-price-tag-on-flood-tunnel-1.2674046
WestJet Founder: Flood Mitigation Vital to Calgary
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/flood-mitigation-vital-to-calgary-says-westjet-founder-1.2664093
Calgary Flood Projects In Full Swing
http://alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=366163F3DB75C-BA95-5550-1093720A8444E775
Communities Get Helping Hand to Stand Up to Floods, Drought
http://alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=3661015040906-CDBC-A3E4-53B6EEF22EF29430
Residents win rule change for riverside renovations
By Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald June 9, 2014 11:29 PM
Homeowners in the flood zone can build major additions without having to move their furnaces out of the basement — in all but the most extreme cases — after council further softened city planners’ new rules for renovations near the river.
Residents near the Elbow and Bow Rivers had strongly protested rule changes that would require moving electrical panel, ductwork and furnace out of basement for renovations like a new mud room or garage.
After council ordered staff to reconsider the rules last month, planners revised rules to say that moving mechanical systems would only be required in more dramatic house renovations, waterproof chambers would be OK in others, and no extra mitigation measures would be required for alterations of 10 per cent or less.
The rules still weren’t clear enough or suitable for several residents affected by last June’s flood. Elbow Park resident Paul Battistella said moving things upstairs would have cost five to six times more than it did to replace all his basement systems.
“We have suffered enough,” said Battistella, a prominent condo developer.
It’s especially hard to rework all the systems in older homes, and many of those would become teardowns, he said.
“I certainly don’t want any flood protection rules to hasten the demise of a heritage building,” Coun. Druh Farrell said.
“We need to embed that in the rules so we’re more conscious of it as an impact.”
Homeowners making additions of 10 per cent or greater will have to install sewer valves and above-ground electrical shut-off switch. Fully rebuilt homes in the flood fringe zone are already required to establish mechanical systems above the ground level.
After several hours of debate, councillors dismissed the advice of its planners Monday. They exempted homeowners from having to protect their mechanical systems unless their renovation was expanding a house by 75 per cent or more, and enshrined those exemptions in a bylaw.
“Protecting (owner) rights here is important,” Coun. Evan Woolley said.
Planners felt their tweaks were sufficient.
“We think that we have accommodated basically everything that people have raised,” said Darrell Sargent, project manager for the flood hazard bylaw changes.
But many residents had not felt they were consulted at open houses on changes that could greatly harm their property values.
“We weren’t there to be engaged. We were told what the bylaws were going to say,” said Brenda Leeds-Binder of the Calgary River Communities Action Group.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi supported the changes, but he pushed back against residents’ suggestions the changes were needlessly intrusive on individual homeowners. Firefighters or police officers could risk their lives trying to shut off power or natural gas in a water-filled basement, he noted, although no such cases occurred last summer.
“We do need to think through what the community cost is here, in addition to the individual risk,” the mayor said.
[email protected]
Calgary diversion tunnel would hit downstream dam with heavier flows
http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/1040959/calgary-diversion-tunnel-would-hit-downstream-dam-with-heavier-flows/
Flood Monitoring Update
http://www.mailoutinteractive.com/Industry/View.aspx?id=569273&q=734584991&qz=345200
Five ways Calgary is preparing for potential floods | video
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Five+flood+preparation+strategies/9812938/story.html
Canmore keeping close eye on water levels after rain and snow
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Canmore+closely+watches+Cougar+Creek+after+weekend/9808534/story.html
Calgary Prepares for Possible Flooding
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2014/04/10/calgary-prepares-for-possible-flooding/
City wants Calgarians to be prepared for upcoming flood season
http://bit.ly/OQZthT
City asks for $16 million for immediate flood repairs
http://bit.ly/1esT4Gd
Calgary flood victims wary of spring melt, as rebuild continues
http://globalnews.ca/news/1258577/calgary-flood-victims-wary-of-spring-melt-as-rebuild-continues/
City investigates separate flood drainage systems
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Calgary+investigates+separate+flood+drainage+systems/9721269/story.html
Another flood is unlikely but Calgarians should be prepared: Nenshi
http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/999099/another-flood-is-unlikely-but-calgarians-should-be-prepared-nenshi/
Priority flood projects named by city committee
Warning speakers on fire halls, emergency radio system among projects that made the list
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/priority-flood-projects-named-by-city-committee-1.2603094
Calgary stocking up on flood protection tools
http://bit.ly/1hHny1H
Emergency boss warns against civilians building their own flood protection
Burrell says sandbags could become safety hazard
http://bit.ly/1ehGhWP
City upgrades systems for flood protection
http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/city-upgrades-systems-for-flood-protection-1.1769459
Flood mitigation work lacks transparency, Sunnyside residents complain
Group draws up Power Point presentation of projects it wants city to consider
http://bit.ly/1sNOB4A
Calgary’s flood preparedness plan irks recent flood victims
http://globalnews.ca/news/1261618/calgarys-flood-preparedness-plan-irks-recent-flood-victims/
Calgary flood victims wary of spring melt, as rebuild continues
http://globalnews.ca/news/1258577/calgary-flood-victims-wary-of-spring-melt-as-rebuild-continues/
City asks for $16 million for immediate flood repairs
James Maxim quoted on concerns about homeowners
http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/04/08/city-asks-for-16-million-for-immediate-flood-repairs
Rideau-Roxboro flood audit to gauge sense of readiness
Red Cross and community activists asking residents of the flooded river community how they feel as June nears
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/rideau-roxboro-flood-audit-to-gauge-sense-of-readiness-1.2596879