Signs are popping up all over Ward 4 for Cllr. Kelly's Ward 4 Town Hall on June 3. (DJ Kelly / Ward 4)
Hey, neighbour!
Summer weather has finally arrived, and I'm sure that many of you have taken advantage of the beautiful days over the past week to spend time outside. For myself and my council colleagues, this week was largely spent indoors in council chambers in another marathon session of receiving reports and debating important issues. And, if I can be honest, debating some less important ones for the neighbours of Ward 4, if my inbox is any indication.
During that session my motion to increase the number of Local Area Plans was defeated, 5-10, largely based around the discomfort that many members of council had around the cost to implement three more LAPs per year. I understand their frustration with the growing costs of providing services to Calgarians, but for me, given the outcry we heard from the citywide rezoning hearings that neighbours’ voices were being lost before council, I felt it was important to push for this LAP motion. That is what we were asked for by presenters as a solution to ensuring that the blanket part of rezoning didn't return. I remain steadfast in my belief that spending roughly $270,000 per community for a local area plan is a wise investment to ensuring that voices are heard; giving neighbours, as a whole, a direct say in where development happens in their community for decades to come.
The alternative is, of course, that we continue doing what we are doing now which is working for no one (building new communities on the outskirts VERY expensive for taxpayers). So, while I respect and understand my colleagues’ positions, I will continue to work to change their minds about the need for LAPs so that neighbours in Ward 4, and elsewhere in Calgary, have certainty that communities have developments that work for them and not against.
- Councillor DJ Kelly
📅 Cllr. Kelly will be holding a town hall meeting for all Ward 4 neighbours on Wed., June 3, 2026 at the Highland Park Community Association. Please RSVP at djkelly.ca/townhall.
🚸 Pedestrian safety improvements continue to be added to Ward 4, with the new addition of overhead pedestrian flashing lights being added to 14 Street NW and Rosevale Drive NW. These lights will be activated on Tuesday, June 2.
🚧 4 neighbours will have the chance to weigh in on changes to the John Laurie and McKnight Blvd. connection until June 15 via https://engage.calgary.ca/jlmcknight. The City of Calgary soliciting feedback via online engagement, and during a public drop-in session being held on June 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the North Haven Community Hall.
🏗️ Ward 4 neighbours are being asked to weigh in on transit-oriented development in Dalhousie by CMLC, as they continue engagement work on a master plan for a potential Transit-Oriented Community. Comments can be submitted online at the project page at Dalhousie Transit-Oriented Community by CMLC, or neighbours can attend open houses on June 4 or June 6 (more details on the project page).
🌳Engagement on the City's urban forest strategic plan is ongoing, with interested Ward 4 neighbours able to sign up to participate in that engagement process at Urban Forest Strategic Plan | Engage. Pop-up events will also be held across Calgary starting on June 9.
Cllr. Kelly joins in on the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Olympic Plaza Transformation on May 28, 2026. (Aryn Toombs / Ward 4)
Over the past weekend, Cllr. Kelly travelled to Esquimalt, BC to take part in the HMCS Calgary Barnburner and ship exercises to honor the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy as part of Cllr. Kelly's role as the Chair of Calgary Salutes.
On Monday, the Ward 4 team met with senior leadership with the City's planning department to discuss development projects in Ward 4, and to share feedback from neighbours on those projects. The Ward 4 team attended a lunch and learn session on the Safe and Inclusive Bylaw and had the opportunity to ask questions about how this bylaw is proceeding after legal challenges before the Courts along with the impact it has had on reducing serious social disorder incidents. The Ward 4 team also met with the Calgary Police Service to discuss safety issues in Ward 4, including traffic and pedestrian safety and encampments. Cllr. Kelly attended the Calgary Chamber of Commerce's Municipal Builders and Leaders Reception in the evening.
On Wednesday, the Ward 4 team attended The Confluence's report to the community and unveiling of their new long-term site plan. The Ward 4 team also attended a mobility business unit lunch and learn to ask questions about road and infrastructure issues in Ward 4.
On Thursday, Cllr. Kelly and the Ward 4 team attended the groundbreaking for the Olympic Plaza Transformation project. Cllr. Kelly and the Ward 4 team met with the Climate Advisory Committee regarding issues of risk and resiliency due to climate related issues in Calgary. In the evening, Cllr. Kelly attended the Thorncliffe-Greenview Community Association's open house on a proposed land use amendment on Centre Street. Following that open house, Cllr. Kelly helped the Highland Park Community Association as a volunteer for their casino night fundraiser.
Over the weekend, Cllr. Kelly is planning on attending the Huntington Hills Pioneer Art Show, and the Cambrian Heights Family Bike Day where he will help families repair their bikes.
Cllr. Kelly was quoted by multiple news outlets this week, including CTV Calgary, CBC Calgary, Calgary Herald, and LiveWire Calgary about his position against eliminating the downtown free fare zone.
Cllr. Kelly stands outside of Calgary City Hall on May 28, 2026, following a marathon two-day council session that began on Tuesday morning. (Aryn Toombs / Ward 4)
Agendas, live streams, and minutes for Calgary City Council meetings and committees can be found at www.calgary.ca/council/meetings/agenda-minutes.html.
On June 2, committee members for the Infrastructure Planning Committee will be meeting to receive an update on the City's water loss. Committee members will also receive an update on the Calgary Event Centre and district infrastructure developments, and an update on the 2 Billion Trees Agreement with the Government of Canada. The committee will also receive a quarterly briefing on the effects of rezoning on Calgary's housing supply.
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 — #130 3830 BRENTWOOD RD NW (DP2026-01871) — Change of use: child care service (148 children); changes to site plan: child care service (outdoor play area) (DC)
HIGHLAND PARK — 429 37 AV NW (DP2025-02163) — New: rowhouse building (2 buildings), townhouse (2 buildings), secondary suite (15 suites) (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.
Shrek the Musical
Limited tickets remain for the hot in demand Shrek the Musical being staged by Storybook Theatre. Join Shrek and Fiona and a fairytale cast of misfits as they find the courage to battle a power-hungry monarch and to be themselves. The production runs from May 20 to June 21, at the Beddington Heights Art Centre.
Edible Gardening in Calgary
Learn to grow your own food, and feel more confident in planting and planning your garden with the second session of Growing in Calgary's Climate at the Dalhousie Community Association on June 11. For more details, see www.dalhousiecalgary.ca/gardening-calgary.
Tree Party at the Central Library
The Tree Party returns for a second year, presented by Ward 4 neighbours at the Calgary Central Library. Learn more about what you can do to create community connection, and plant a few trees. For more details, see Tree Party2026 - Calgary Climate Hub