Calgary passes blanket rezoning changes

Nearly a month after discussions began at Calgary’s City Hall, on May 14th, councillors narrowly approved Moving forward with blanket rezoningThe decision was made after a lengthy 15-day Public Hearing, during which 736 Calgarians spoke and 6,101 submitted written statements. The decision came after a long 15-day Public Hearing during which 736 Calgarians were heard and 6,101 written statements were submitted. Nearly 70% of Calgarians expressed their opposition to blanket zone changes. However, under the City’s Housing Needs Assessment, one in five Calgary households is unable to afford where they currently live.

In a Close 9-6 voteThe council approved the proposal, with some modifications. The council approved the proposal with some amendments.

Blanket rezoning allows single-detached houses, but simplifies the application process by eliminating individual land-use debates. One of 98 actions detailed in Calgary’s Home is Here: Housing Strategy, this rezoning initiative aims to diversify housing options, allowing for semi-detached, row houses, duplexes, fourplexes, and townhouses across the city, in new and established neighbourhoods, effective August 6, 2024. Rezoning is a way for single-family homeowners who want to explore low-density forms of housing to do so without first applying to rezone their land.

The City of Calgary’s Housing StrategyPresents a holistic plan focusing on several key goals. These include boosting the housing supply, offering support to affordable housing providers to enact meaningful change, improving service delivery by The City’s housing subsidiaries, ensuring a wide array of housing options to meet the needs of diverse populations, and addressing the specific affordable housing needs of Indigenous communities residing in Calgary. 

Alternative motions including a referendum or a project pilot were also proposed, however, they were not adopted. However, Certain amendmentsThe blanket rezoning was accepted with modifications, including the consideration of privacy impacts on neighboring properties. The original proposal categorizes row houses as discretionary and not as a permitted usage, subjecting them for evaluation based on certain criteria, as well as scrutiny by the community.

R-CG zoning is being implemented in the entire city as of August 6. While development requests can be submitted immediately but decisions will only be made after the implementation.

The City has created resources for clarifying What rezoning means.

Premier Danielle Smith is concerned about the proposed blanket-rezoning. It seems to be linked to a bilateral agreement the City signed with the Federal Government. 

Calgary Mayor Jyoti gondek however indicated that, as per the Contribution Agreement to Housing Accelerator FundThe federal agreement will not affect the council. Details of Calgary’s HAF Action Plan SummaryOnline access is also available.