Some interesting proposed changes to the land use bylaw going to city council on May 12:
http://www.calgarydowntown.com/image...l%20report.pdf
Some snapshots of what it changes:
-Most homes in the Flood Hazard Area, which includes the flood fringe, overland flow areas and the floodway, will immediately become non-conforming.
-If you apply for a Development Permit (DP), e.g., to build an addition, and your home is non-conforming, the City can impose flood mitigation design criteria on the addition and the existing home or refuse the DP for failure to comply.
-Imposing flood mitigation design criteria can mean: requiring compliance with setbacks from the river (e.g., 30m for Elbow, 60m for Bow); raising the height of your main floor above the flood level for your area; and moving your electrical and mechanical equipment above the flood level (i.e., moving your furnace, hot water tank and electrical panel out of your basement). You will have to find room in your home above the flood level to accommodate the electrical and mechanical equipment.