Madeleine King & Assocs Ltd. – LAND USE & CIVIC AFFAIRS CONSULTANCY

Every good project encounters some hurdles at City Hall, even if all that’s needed is as simple as a development permit. Madeleine has had years, if not decades, of experience with City Hall processes.

The Mission Road Main Street Project is City Council’s seeking out a new way to process infill development. The Municipal Development Plan, which followed Imagine Calgary and PlanIt, seeks to transfer 30% of new growth to in-fill development within the next three decades. That poses a huge challenge. At present over 90% of new development comes from “greenfield” development (the new suburbs). So the idea of reducing that dependence on new areas, and significantly increasing the re-development and intensification of the existing neighbourhoods, means we all have to find new ways to make it attractive for developers to focus on existing neighbourhood intensification.

Madeleine represents the property owners’ group involved in the Mission Road Main Street Project.

There are times when market forces cause your property value to increase (or decrease) without your doing anything to distinguish yourself from the crowd. However there are many things that property owners can do to enhance their value, especially to up-zone it.

Increase in value is often seen today as being measured not just in financial terms, but also in value to society and to the environment. Madeleine’s assistance to property owners is always judged against the backdrop of “value added”, first and foremost financial, but also each project she is involved with also seeks to bring social benefit (more walkable communities) and environmental benefits ( reducing urban sprawl).

Development plans need a support network in order to succeed. Whether it’s the neighbours, City planners or City Council – all play their vital part in helping dreams become reality.

Madeleine has a wide network of colleagues, friends and contacts throughout the city who are always keen to know more about what’s happening in their spheres of involvement. They are eager to encourage development that helps Calgary be a great place to live, work and play.

Property development in “established communities” is very impactful on those already there. Change is often threatening. Yet the vast majority of urban dwellers welcome the idea of living in “people-centred” safe & interesting neighbourhoods, where they can enjoy walking to smaller local stores and recreational bike riding. And where their seniors and young adults can live independently.

Madeleine has decades of experience working successfully with numerous community associations throughout southwest Calgary – as a volunteer, community president, alderman, property developer and consultant.