CALGARY- With flood season quickly approaching, some nervous homeowners are taking matters into their own hands in an attempt to protect their houses.
Allan Markin, a prominent Calgary businessman and part owner of the Calgary Flames, has commissioned a fortress-like barrier around his Elbow Park home. It features thick aluminum panels covered in silicone sealant, as well as concrete beams.
As it’s higher than a standard fence, it requires a special development permit from the city.
“In order to get a development permit to do something like that, you have to pretty much convince the folks at the city that you are not going to cause more damage to neighbouring properties,” explained Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “So as long as you don’t, I’m willing to look at special cases.”
The fence will be taken down once the flood threat is over, likely by July, then reassembled in advance of future flood threats.
However, those who live in a condo complex in Discovery Ridge that suffered $12 million damage during the 2013 flood have had their flood mitigation efforts thwarted.
600 residents decided to put up giant sandbags to build a temporary berm, but the city ordered them to stop last week because they didn’t have a development permit.
Complex managers are upset about the decision, saying they followed all the rules and wonder if the city is playing favourites.
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