As questions around the future of a popular Calgary live music venue swirl due to a proposed development, members of the city’s executive committee will debate a policy that could put developers on the hook for managing noise concerns should they build next to an existing live music venue.

Ward 9 Coun. Harrison Clark is bringing forward a notice of motion Tuesday that could kick off work on a so called “agent of change” policy.

He wants to flush out where responsibility lies for protecting venues up against development.

“What I’m attempting to do is bring forward hopeful changes to bylaw that will assist us in identifying who’s responsible,” Clark explained. “If you’re going to move in next to an existing venue, let’s make sure that we’re clear on what you’re responsible for and how to mitigate that.”

The debate comes as the Ship & Anchor on 17 Avenue warns proposed residential development above and beside the pub could create future conflict.

“It’s a familiar tale: Developers construct buildings and market apartments using live music venues and bars nearby as enticements for young professionals, but do not design appropriately to mitigate the level of sound,” the Ship says on its website. “Then after a few months of normal operations, the nearby businesses start getting noise complains, every single night, over and over again, until they are forced to shut down.”

A development permit submitted to the city outlines Strategic Group’s proposal: the addition of floors on top of the existing building which houses the building, and a redevelopment of its neighbour to add residential units.

Supporters of the venue’s cause say it’s important to them that the Ship & Anchor continue as a live music venue.

“What makes us real, what makes us human? Music, love, sadness, tragedy, happiness, all that, so why not hold on to those things?” one Calgarian told CityNews.

“I think it’s going to ruin the patio, it’s going to take away from one of the hotspots in the city, it’s just unnecessary to put it right there,” added another.

One woman said she’s actually in support of adding new live music venues, not taking existing ones away.

“We don’t have enough live music. I live near 17 Avenue — there’s so many bars and restaurants and not enough live music venues,” she said. “So, the more we can support it, the better.”

If the motion is approved, it would head to a future council meeting for full debate.