Blanket Rezoning
The majority of Calgarian residents are against blanket rezoning due to the problematic consequences of removing public engagement and the peoples' right to a hearing. Calgarians have been discarded in the processes that shape their city.
Court Update
A message from Robert Lehody who is heading the legal challenge against Council's decision to blanket rezone Calgary:
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Update #9 - October 7, 2024
"We had our first real hearing in Court this morning and we feel it went well, notwithstanding that the City’s lawyers received an adjournment. The reason it went well is that the Judge recognized the urgency of the situation and the importance of having it heard expeditiously. He ordered that the issue of the stay of proceedings be expedited and held no later than November 8, 2024 as a special (meaning our application on its own) half day hearing. Our counsel advises that having a special half day hearing ordered within the next month is perhaps one of the fastest turnaround times he has experienced as a litigator and is almost unheard of for urgency. Often such requests for special hearings result in dates months away and it that was the case we might have had a February or March 2025 date scheduled.
The judge also noted that the Judicial Review applications should probably also be heard as soon as possible and both our counsel and the City’s counsel are in agreement on that point and are seeking an expedited hearing day for those Judicial Review applications. Remember that our Judicial Review application are asking the Court to determine whether the City properly considered all relevant matters and evidence in reaching its decisions not to hold a plebiscite, and more importantly, to proceed with blanket rezoning. It is possible that the Judicial Review applications may be held at the same hearing but that is not a certainty, so fingers crossed!"
August 22nd, 2024 by Robert Lehodey, Organizer
Update #6
The City’s lawyer did not agree to a consent stay order unfortunately so we will be making a formal application for such an order prohibiting the City from approving any developments under the blanket rezoning until the Court rules on our judicial review applications. As a result we continue to build the argument for the stay of proceedings and are retaining an expert to support our position.
At the court date on August 21 the hearing was further adjourned to September 9, 2024 to accommodate a conflict the judge had, the details of which are not available. On September 9 hopefully we will (i) make the application for a stay order; (ii) consolidate the two judicial review applications into one; and (iii) set a certain date for an expedited judicial review hearing.
We have received interest from another 150+ property owners who want to join the judicial review applications as parties, and that number is growing. In the interests of cost saving, respecting the time of the Courts and eliminating the need to do conflicts searches, we are going to communicate the interest of those people to the judge by way of an affidavit which will further demonstrate the significance of the impact of the blanket rezoning decision.
Further updates will follow.
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On May 14, 2024 Council approved citywide rezoning to a base residential district with amendments. Vote 9-6.
August 6, 2024 - Citywide zoning changes are now in effect
What does that mean for Calgarians?
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R-CG as the citywide base low density residential zone - meaning any single-detached home can now be replaced with a townhome, row-house, duplex without a public hearing and without Council's approval
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Developers now have more incentive to outcompete young families for purchasing starter homes
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R-G as the base low density residential zone in new developing areas
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H-GO in areas identified in approved Local Area Plans and additional areas the city chooses after LAPS have been finalized as discovered in the Revised Heritage LAP
Learn more about how blanket rezoning will impact the City of Calgary and what you can do to create a more resource-conscious future.
Overview of the Issues:
Lack of Specificity: Blanket rezoning does not take into account the unique characteristics and needs of individual neighbourhoods or areas within the city. This can lead to inappropriate land use changes that do not align with the existing community context.
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Gentrification and Displacement: Rezoning can lead to increased property values and rents, potentially displacing long-term residents and businesses, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods. This can contribute to gentrification and socioeconomic segregation.
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Infrastructure Strain: Rapid development resulting from blanket rezoning can put strain on existing infrastructure such as roads, schools, and utilities. Without adequate planning and investment, this can lead to congestion, overcrowding, and service deficiencies.
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Loss of Community Character: Rezoning without consideration for neighbourhood character and heritage can result in the loss of unique architectural features, cultural assets, and community identity.
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Environmental Impact: Blanket rezoning encourages unsustainable development practices, leading to habitat destruction, increased pollution, and degradation of natural resources.
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Traffic Congestion: Intensified development without sufficient transportation planning can exacerbate traffic congestion and reduce the quality of life for residents.
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Affordability Challenges: Rezoning incentivizes the construction of high-end housing or commercial properties, exacerbating affordability challenges for low- and moderate-income residents.
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Public Participation: Blanket rezoning limits opportunities for meaningful public participation and input in the decision-making process, leading to a lack of community buy-in and trust in local governance.
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Long-Term Sustainability: Without comprehensive planning and consideration of long-term impacts, blanket rezoning undermines the city's overall sustainability and resilience to future challenges such as climate change and economic fluctuations.
What's actually happening
"As an architect working in Calgary, we are already seeing the potential effects of the blanket upzoning. Our office has had several calls already from property owners looking at how many units could be put on their properties, not to build homes, but purely to increase property value. One of the other architects in our office has been trying to buy an inner-city home but is now being priced out of the market as homes are now being marketed for their potential land value if the blanket upzoning is approved. He just wants to find an inner-city home to raise his family. He wants to live there, not make money off it. This is not how to maintain neighbourhoods. When the City talks about land use predictability, they are looking at it through the lens of developers. "
2004 Schedule
Mar 13
Council Meets to Vote on a Plebiscite
Council will determine if the general rezoning will be determined by a plebiscite during the next election in Oct 2025.
Apr 22
Rally at City Hall
Hundreds of people showed up at City Hall to show their support against blanket rezoning.
Apr 22
Council Votes on By-law for Blanket Rezoning
The public hearing for blanket rezoning began with over 700 speakers over two weeks. Council received nearly 5500 written submissions, not including all of the messages received by individual members of Council.
May 14
Council and the Mayor Pass Blanket Rezoning
In Favour: Jasmine Mian, Raj Dhaliwal, Richard Pootmans, Courtney Walcott, Gian-Carlo Carra, Kourtney Penner, Evan Spencer, Jennifer Wyness & Joyti Gondek
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Against: Sonja Sharp, Sean Chu, Andre Chabot, Dan McClean, Peter Demong, Terry Wong
2025 Schedule
Oct 20
Next Election for Calgary
Time for some new councillors and a new mayor who actually represent their public.
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Plebiscite Vote
Tuesday March 13th, 2024
Calgary City Council voted against a plebiscite 8-6
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Against: Jasmine Mian, Raj Dhaliwal, Richard Pootmans, Courtney Walcott, Gian-Carlo Carra, Kourtney Penner, Evan Spencer, & Jyoti Gondek
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In Favour: Sonja Sharp, Terry Wong, Sean Chu, Andre Chabot, Dan McClean, Peter Demong
