Council rejects plan to expand Calgary's local area planning

City council rejected a motion to expand local area plans last week, leaving Calgary without a clear path to replace the blanket rezoning Mayor Jeromy Farkas campaigned to scrap.

Farkas promised during last fall's election to repeal blanket rezoning and replace it with a community-informed strategy for gentle density and affordable housing. Council voted to repeal it two months ago. But when Farkas proposed doubling LAP capacity — planning documents that guide where the city adds density through consultation — it failed 10-5.

Councillors who opposed the expansion cited two concerns: several LAP-compliant applications have failed anyway, and the nearly $15-million cost felt too steep. "I do think that those council members who have some concerns about the quality of the local area plans were right in perhaps wanting to tap the brakes," Farkas said.

But housing advocate Kathryn Davies, co-founder of More Neighbours Calgary, called LAPs "toothless" and said the lack of a replacement policy is "immensely frustrating." She argued most Calgarians would accept more duplexes in their neighbourhoods and warned that without a viable replacement plan, Calgary risks losing investment to cities where development is easier.

Ward 7 Councillor Myke Atkinson, who voted against the repeal, doesn't see LAPs as a proper alternative either — the documents can't automatically rezone land. He said none of the councillors who voted to repeal have presented a viable replacement policy yet.

The city will discuss The Calgary Plan, which includes guidance for building more housing. Later this fall, council can address the replacement strategy during the four-year budget process.