As some patrons of the Ship & Anchor fret about the pub’s future, city councillors will consider new rules for developers building near music or cultural venues.
Ward 9 Coun. Harrison Clark is behind the notice of motion, which suggests Calgary adopt an “agent of change” framework.
It’s a policy already in place in cities like Toronto. Essentially, the party proposing changes has the onus of mitigating sound: if it’s a developer building residential units near an existing music venue, it’s on them; if it’s a new music venue, the people behind it carry the burden.
Ward 9 is home to many music venues, which made the policy a priority for Clark coming off the campaign trail, he told CBC Radio’s Calgary Eyeopener.
“Lots of historic neighbourhoods with long history,” Clark said. “So it was really just remembering … how it’s been, and a lot of concern for how that might change as those neighbourhoods densify and renew.”
LISTEN | Ward 9 Coun. Harrison Clark breaks down ‘agent of change’ policies:
The notice of motion comes after council approved an application in January to redevelop the building that houses iconic 17th Avenue pub the Ship & Anchor, along with the building next to it, to add residential units.
“We’re going to see development occur right above it, and all the nerves that came with that, so it was a perfect confirmation that this is the time to look at this policy,” Clark said.
The pub’s owner told council he worries their new neighbours will complain about the sound of live music.
Nicola Trolez, the Ship’s director of operations, recently met with Clark to discuss the proposal and applauds the idea.
“The development of the Ship really presents an opportunity for us to … get it right and perhaps even set a precedent for how these issues are considered in the future,” said Trolez.
City council’s executive committee will consider the notice of motion Tuesday. If approved, it will come before council for a full debate.
Acoustics expert sees path forward
A lifelong Calgarian, Taylor Smyth says he has many fond memories of time spent at the Ship.
“What makes 17th Avenue what it is, is businesses like the Ship & Anchor, and to see those go would I think be quite a loss,” he said.
And he thinks it’s preventable. As the general manager for Merlin Noise Control, he’s seen success with residential units built directly over live music spaces, similar to the plan for the Ship & Anchor.
His company works with architects and engineers to design acoustic ceilings and floors, like a floating slab with spring isolators that goes on top of the floor. It limits how much sound carries from room to room.
(Submitted by Taylor Smyth)
The Canadian Acoustical Association is working on guidelines that municipalities can follow as neighbourhoods densify and noise conflicts become more common.
“When we’re looking to design cities, we have to start taking noise into consideration a lot earlier on,” said Dan Clayton, the association’s president.
He says there also needs to be adaptability. What’s too noisy for one person might be acceptable to another, and residents in busier downtown hubs might have a higher sound tolerance, Clayton said.
“Acoustics and noise isn’t as straightforward as one design will fit every situation,” he said.
Finding harmony
Clayton said an agent of change policy is a good first step.
The Canadian Live Music Association also supports it.
“What makes Calgary vibrant and attractive is its local venues, festivals, and other cultural output,” Maddy Oliver, the association’s interim executive director, said in a statement.
“The Agent of Change is a proven framework to ensure that new developments can cohabitate harmoniously with the very entities making those new developments necessary.”
Strategic Group, the developer behind the project at the Ship & Anchor, said in a statement it “welcomes the strengthened regulations around development near existing entertainment venues.
“This approach aligns with the process we have followed in the past, ensuring that much of this thinking is already incorporated into our development projects.”
When it comes to the Ship & Anchor project, it says, “we have thoughtfully and proactively adjusted our development plans ensuring that sound mitigation and the expectations of future residential tenants are taken into consideration at the design stage of our planning.”
The developer says the Ship & Anchor will continue to operate during construction.