Residents in the southeast neighbourhood of Belvedere were frustrated with excessive noise coming from an air-handling unit at a nearby condo complex in early April. The system was running 24 hours a day, causing disturbance to residents like Kent Henry, who lives near the development. Despite multiple complaints to the builder, residents were told that the engineers believed the system was operating within design limits and that the city of Calgary had approved it, leaving residents feeling helpless.
Residents like Henry and Dimitra Gray expressed their frustration with the noise, stating that it made it difficult to enjoy being outside and even affected their ability to have phone conversations. The City of Calgary confirmed that they are investigating the complaints and provided information on noise bylaws, specifying acceptable sound levels for different times of the day. Henry conducted his own noise measurements, which revealed levels above the permissible limit, further highlighting the issue.
The condo development, called ‘Blu At Belvedere,’ is operated by Laebon Rental Communities, who did not provide a response to requests for an interview. However, Gray mentioned that the air-handling unit was turned off after the media started contacting the developer. Residents are hopeful that the city investigation will lead to a resolution for the ambient noise issue caused by the unit. Suggestions were made for potential solutions, such as limiting the unit’s operation to specific time periods or installing a sound barrier to reduce noise levels.
Henry emphasized the need for developers to consider the impact of new high occupancy buildings on surrounding communities, suggesting that future projects take community noise concerns into account during the design phase. Despite accepting the presence of regular street noise, residents found the noise from the air-handling unit to be excessive and disruptive to their daily lives. The involvement of the City of Calgary in investigating the matter signals a recognition of the residents’ concerns and a potential path towards addressing the noise issue in a more permanent and effective manner.
The investigation into the noise complaints by the City of Calgary underscores the importance of enforcing noise bylaws and ensuring that urban development projects consider the well-being of nearby residents. By establishing clear guidelines for acceptable noise levels and taking action against violations, the city can protect the quality of life for all residents. The cooperation between residents, developers, and city officials in resolving noise issues sets a precedent for addressing similar concerns in the future and promoting harmonious coexistence between urban development and local communities. Overall, this case highlights the significance of balancing development interests with the well-being of residents and the need for effective noise management strategies in urban areas.
