Calgary city council faces another marathon hearing on blanket rezoning exemptions

Calgary city council is in the midst of another days-long public hearing about properties exempted from the blanket rezoning repeal, with more than 60 speakers signed up to address council this week. The hearing focuses on 247 properties that would retain their higher-density zoning after the repeal takes effect on August 4, just two weeks away.

Exemptions apply to redevelopment projects that received approved development permits between August 6, 2024 and August 6, 2026, or projects approved for building permits or subdivision applications under specific zoning districts before August 6. Other parcels qualify for exemptions if property owners submitted development permit, building permit, or subdivision applications before April 8 — the day council voted to repeal blanket rezoning — or if they were rezoned through approved land use change applications after August 6, 2024.

The current hearing follows council's April decision to reverse a zoning regulation that made residential grade-oriented infill (R-CG) Calgary's base residential zoning. The R-CG policy allowed homeowners to convert single-family houses into duplexes, rowhouses or fourplexes without needing a land use redesignation. The policy proved polarizing; many current councillors campaigned on reversing it during last fall's municipal election.

While the repeal will reverse the zoning of more than 306,000 residential parcels, the exemption criteria mean a few hundred parcels will keep their higher-density designation. Mayor Jeromy Farkas noted provincial legislation requires the city to honour developments under the zoning in place when applications were submitted, requiring council to weigh residents' concerns against potential legal risk.

CBC Calgary reports more than 100 public speakers have signed up, with the city receiving 500 written submissions on the subject. Council will vote to make a final decision after hearing from all registered speakers.