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Calgary's RC-G rezoning public hearing wrapped up on Monday. What's
next?
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Calgary City Council heard its last panel at the historic public
hearing about a proposed rezoning bylaw on Monday evening, wrapping up
12 days of presentations.
Council voted 8-7 in favour of a motion by Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot,
which said council will return Thursday to hear a recap of the public
hearing from city administration.
However, debate and questions of administration aren't expected to
start until Monday, May 13.
Gondek previously told Global News she thinks the debate could last
two to three days.
"Anytime we are going into something where there is a lot of interest
from the public and from council, it's hard to predict where the
conversation will go," she said.
The proposed bylaw is one of around 80 recommendations in the City of
Calgary's housing strategy, which would change the base residential
zoning district to RC-G instead of RC-1 or RC-2 zoning.
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Currently, the majority of residential areas are zoned to only allow
single-family homes by default.
RC-G zoning will allow single-family homes and duplexes, triplexes and
rowhouses to be built. Apartment buildings are not allowed to be built
in RC-G neighbourhoods.
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City administration said by changing the base residential zoning
district to RC-G, it will be easier to build a diverse range of homes,
which will increase housing options for all Calgarians and improve
housing affordability in the city.
According to the City of Calgary website, rezoning will also increase
transit options, such as active and public transportation systems.
The website also said rezoning will help keep property taxes down as
costs to maintain utilities and roads are shared among a larger
population.
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Those against the bylaw argued that by adding duplexes, triplexes and
rowhouses, council will introduce too much density to RC-1 zoned
neighbourhoods that will ultimately change their character.
Others said they aren't sure rezoning will actually have an impact on
housing prices, arguing that developers and landlords will charge high
rents for new builds.
Many of those against the bylaw also said they don't feel heard by
city council, claiming their rights are being stripped away. However,
city administration said public hearings for development permits will
still continue even if the bylaw is passed.
Many organizations that support and provide resources to vulnerable
Calgarians urged council to pass the bylaw, saying the bylaw could
potentially speed up the process to develop non-market housing. The
representatives also said many low-income residents were unable to
participate in the public hearing because they couldn't afford to take
time off work.
Representatives from the Drop-In Centre, YWCA Calgary and Momentum
Calgary were among others asking council to vote in favour of the
bylaw.
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