If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you may have heard that Calgary city council has been discussing blanket rezoning. Here’s what you need to know about this potentially significant change.
What is blanket rezoning?
Blanket rezoning would involve rezoning entire neighbourhoods or areas of the city to allow for greater density and mixed-use development. This means that areas presently zoned for single-family homes could be rezoned to allow for townhouses, apartment buildings and commercial spaces. By increasing density and promoting mixed-use development, the city aims to create more affordable housing options, reduce urban sprawl and improve access to amenities and public transportation.
Why is the city considering this change?
Essentially, city council is considering this change currently due to the pressures of its rapidly growing population. Calgary, known for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture and robust economy, has experienced incredible population growth in recent years. This explosion in the number of new residents has put pressure on the city's infrastructure, housing market and transportation systems.
To address these challenges and accommodate future growth, city planners are exploring innovative solutions, including blanket rezoning. This is a bold move that, if it goes ahead, would noticeably reshape the city’s urban landscape. It could have far-reaching effects on Calgary’s development, economy and quality of life for its residents
What is currently happening at city council?
The recommendation for blanket rezoning comes from the report Home is Here: The City of Calgary's Housing Strategy 2024-2030 that was commissioned to address Calgary’s affordability housing crisis. The city accepted this recommendation in September 2023, and it will be considered by council on April 22, 2024.
If this proposal goes ahead, residential areas across Calgary that presently only permit single or semi-detached dwellings will be rezoned to allow for town houses and row houses to be build as well. As a result, developers will no longer need to request a public hearing before council to secure individual approval for construction projects for such homes. In the meantime, the city is hosting information sessions to hear the public’s input.
How could it impact neighborhoods?
There are both pros and cons to blanket rezoning. By allowing for greater density and mixed-use development, communities can evolve where residents can live, work and play without having to rely heavily on cars, thereby reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, it can help mitigate Calgary's affordable housing crisis with more housing units, including subsidized housing, to help low and middle-income families to find affordable housing.
On the downside, such increased density might come with more traffic congestion and less parking availability. It will change the character of some neighborhoods where there may be concern about the loss of green space and the potential displacement of existing residents.
What else should I know?
There is no easy answer to Calgary’s population pressures. Blanket rezoning is but one proposal and there are other ideas. Notably, the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) has looked into the difficulties of enacting this wide-ranging zoning change and has expressed their concerns in a recent letter to council.
Elected officials on city council want to encourage as many of the city’s residents as possible to have their say. Calgarians can give their option in person or in writing. April 15th is the deadline to send written comments to Council to be included in the April 22nd public hearing agenda or to register to speak on that day.
If you own land in the city, in March you should have received formal notification about the proposed blanket rezoning. To see how your property might be affected, you can visit calgary.ca/rezoningforhousing. Here you will also find an interactive map.
The bottom line
It will be crucial for city planners to address residents’ concerns and ensure that any rezoning plan is implemented thoughtfully and responsibly. Whether or not this particular proposal is implemented, it’s important for every Calgarian to remember that their voice counts on this pivotal issue.
