The ball is rolling to repeal one of Calgary’s most controversial bylaws — blanket rezoning.
A motion is set to be presented to the Executive Committee on Nov. 17 that, if passed, would move on to be voted on at a regular council meeting on Dec. 15.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas and councillors Andre Chabot, Dan McLean, Kim Tyers, Rob Ward, Mike Jamieson, and Landon Johnston are all showing their support in sponsoring the motion.
The group of municipal officials say implementing blanket rezoning has failed to deliver greater housing affordability and caused public concern about several issues including loss of neighbourhood character and private tree canopy, increased pressure on aging infrastructure like water, sewer, and stormwater, inadequate parking and traffic management, and more.
“[Blanket rezoning] cut thousands of Calgarians out of having a direct say on future redevelopment of their communities by eliminating public hearings for site specific, low-density residential land use redesignations,” the motion adds.
The issue has drawn opposition and protest from Calgarians across various communities.
Blanket rezoning went into effect in Calgary on Aug. 6, 2024 after a marathon public hearing in the spring that lasted more than two weeks and saw nearly 70 per cent of Calgarians speak against it.
A successful repeal would see the restoration of low-density land use districts that existed before the policy was introduced.
Farkas and company are also reaffirming the importance and right of citizens to participate in council public hearings.
All but two of the elected officials sponsoring this motion were elected less than a month ago and had repealing blanket rezoning as central parts of their platforms.