Cllr. DJ Kelly inspects graduates from 41 Canadian Brigade Group at the Mewata Armoury on April 16, 2026. (Rukhsaar Daya/Ward 4)
Hey, neighbour!
This week, I was pleased to support a pair of motions put forward by my Council colleagues that will advance arts and culture in Calgary. Over the past several months, Council has been focused heavily on where neighbours live, but I believe we also need to prioritize why neighbours want to live in Calgary. It’s a great city and offers so many reasons to make it our home.
Creating more certainty for existing arts and culture venues, like the Ship and Anchor, amidst development is, I believe, the right path forward. We need to ensure that these venues are respected and that there is clarity around how development occurs so that they are not pushed out or closed as a result of change.
This is also why I co-sponsored a notice of motion that would create a 10-year arts and cultural industry strategy for Calgary. As I grapple with some of the immediate concerns of Ward 4, I also recognize that there needs to be a long-term vision for our economy and the outsized role cultural workers play in it. This motion will bring more certainty to our arts and cultural institutions, ensuring that they have the support to grow and better serve Calgarians and visitors alike in the decades to come.
- Councillor DJ Kelly
The City of Calgary's Parks and Open Spaces will be reducing the mowing of turf in steep sections of Confederation Park that have been difficult and unsafe for City staff to maintain, alongside areas near sections of the creek not generally used by the public.
Regularly used areas of Confederation Park will remain maintained, and City staff will be creating clean transitions between manicured turf to tall grass to make the park inviting to visitors.
Over the past week, Cllr. Kelly and the Ward 4 team engaged with numerous community partners and stakeholders. On Monday, Cllr. Kelly met with More Neighbours and the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good to hear concerns regarding the repeal of citywide rezoning. He also attended a council session on funding advocacy and met with the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer to discuss budget priorities ahead of upcoming deliberations.
Cllr. Kelly attended the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation Board Meeting on Friday, as the appointed representative for Calgary City Council where topics of discussion included an update on the next community engagement steps for transit-oriented development, such as at Dalhousie C-Train station, as well as projects in the East Village, Olympic Plaza and Stampede grounds.
Cllr. Kelly and the Ward 4 team met with the Real Estate and Development Services unit regarding development of Midfield Heights, followed by a meeting with the Greenview Business Improvement Area where we discussed, among other things, encampment issues in Greenview. Cllr. Kelly and team also met with the National Music Centre as part of their ongoing work to make Calgary into a music hub for Canada.
As part of the Councillor's role as chair of Calgary Salutes, the Ward 4 team met with City staff regarding plans for a Veterans Memorial Walkway, an effort to recognize the contributions of the men and women in Canada's Armed Forces, while Cllr. Kelly served as the honourary reviewing officer for the graduation of citizen-soldier volunteers for 41 Canadian Brigade Group on Thursday evening. He also attended the graduation of Class 268 from the Calgary Police Service on Friday.
Cllr. Kelly was quoted by CBC, CityNews Calgary, and LiveWire Calgary regarding playground funding concerns and a lack of playgrounds for children in southern Ward 4 communities. He was also quoted by CityNews Calgary about consolidating waste and recycling fees into a single line item for Calgarians.
Cllr. Kelly spoke to Calgary Herald and Global News about citywide rezoning, emphasizing that work must continue to ensure neighbours have a voice in where development occurs in their community. He also discussed potential bylaw changes for high-risk flood zones with the Calgary Herald.
Agendas, live streams, and minutes for Calgary City Council meetings and committees can be found at www.calgary.ca/council/meetings/agenda-minutes.html.
Calgary City Council will be meeting on Tuesday, April 21, for a Public Hearing Meeting of Council. Council members will be debating proposed land use changes for parcels in wards 5, 7, 9, 11, and 12.
On Wednesday, April 22, the Emergency Management Committee will be meeting to discuss the 2025 status of emergency preparedness in Calgary report, and receive an update to the municipal emergency plan.
On Thursday, April 23, Audit Committee will be meeting to receive the City's 2025 annual investment report, annual financial report, external year end auditor report, and cyber security governance audit. Committee members will also receive a 2025 whistleblower program report, the City Auditor's Q1 2026 report, and the employee expenses continuing auding project report. Members will receive confidential updates from the City's external auditor and City Auditor.
Ward 4 neighbours will have the opportunity over the next several weeks to provide their input on the City of Calgary's 2027-2030 business plans and budgets. Until April 15, anyone interested in providing their feedback can do so online at through the City's engagement portal or at numerous pop up events.
More details on those events and the engagement form can be found at 2027-2030 Business Plans and Budgets.
New development permits that are in circulation for public comment for Ward 4. For all Ward 4 permits that are in circulation, or have been recently approved and are in advertising, see www.djkelly.ca/dp.
BRENTWOOD — 5235 NORTHLAND DR NW (DP2026-01268) — Temporary use: retail garden centre (DC)
CAMBRIAN HEIGHTS — 67 CHANCELLOR WY NW (DP2026-01963) — New: single detached dwelling (east lot), accessory residential building (garage) (R-CG)
CHARLESWOOD — 278 CARRAGANA CR NW (DP2026-02072) — New: accessory residential building (garage), backyard suite (attached) (R-CG)
DALHOUSIE — 5639 DALCASTLE RI NW (DP2026-01973) — Temporary use: home occupation - class 2 (manufacturing) (R-CG)
EDGEMONT — 204 EDGEDALE WY NW (DP2026-01787) — Addition: single detached dwelling (rear pergola), relaxation: deck - projection into side setback (R-CG)
GREENVIEW INDUSTRIAL PARK — 513 MCKNIGHT BV NE (DP2026-02081) — Change of use: liquor store (C-COR2 f3.0h46)
HIGHWOOD — 271 HENDON DR NW (DP2026-02063) — New: semi-detached dwelling, secondary suite (basement), accessory residential building (garage) (R-CG)
HUNTINGTON HILLS — 347 HUNTBOURNE WY NE (DP2026-02076) — New: accessory residential building (garage), backyard suite (aobve garage) (R-CG)
THORNCLIFFE — 414 60 AV NE (DP2026-01979) — New: accessory residential building (garage), backyard suite (above garage) (R-CG)
THORNCLIFFE — 335 TRAFFORD DR NW (DP2026-02026) — New: single detached dwelling, secondary suite (basement), accessory residential building (garage) north (R-CG)
THORNCLIFFE — 335 TRAFFORD DR NW (DP2026-02100) — New: single detached dwelling, secondary suite (basement), accessory residential building (garage) south (R-CG)
WINSTON HEIGHTS/MOUNTVIEW — 516 32 AV NE (DP2026-01785) — New: semi-detached dwelling, secondary suite (basement - 2), accessory residential building (garage), backyard suite (above garage - 2) (R-CG)
Each week we feature a short list of new and interesting activities in Ward 4 and from the City of Calgary. Email [email protected] with suggestions.
Thorncliffe Greenview Parade of Garage Sales
The much-anticipated return of the Thorncliffe Greenview Parade of Garage Sales is set to return on Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more details on how to sign up, and for a map for shopping opportunities, see 2026 Parade of Garage Sales.
Mayor's Youth Council Volunteer Fair
Youth Central will be hosting a volunteer fair for youth at the Calgary Municipal Building on April 25, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Youth will get help with resumes and interviews and have the chance to explore volunteer opportunities. Open to youth aged 12 through 18.