Communities First, a new political party in Calgary, is aiming to repeal the citywide rezoning policy by making it a central issue in the upcoming municipal election. The party, which includes current councillors Sonya Sharp, Andre Chabot, Dan McLean, and Terry Wong, plans to implement major reforms to the city’s planning department if they win a majority of seats in the election. Many Calgarians have expressed opposition to the rezoning policy, which was implemented after a contentious public hearing.
The rezoning policy, known as R-CG, allows for higher-density housing types on a single property, such as row houses and duplexes, without requiring a zoning change or a public hearing. While the policy aims to promote smart development and provide more housing options, critics argue that it removes residents from the decision-making process and pits communities against each other. Since the implementation of citywide rezoning, there has been a significant increase in development permits for rowhouses and townhouses, as well as low-density housing developments within established communities.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek has refrained from commenting on the proposal to repeal citywide rezoning, stating that her focus is on ensuring a variety of housing options for Calgarians. Other mayoral candidates, such as Jeff Davison and Jeromy Farkas, have expressed their opposition to the rezoning policy, with Farkas calling it a “failure of leadership.” However, Brian Thiessen, running for mayor under The Calgary Party, has criticized Communities First for trying to turn the issue into a ballot box question, suggesting a more collaborative approach through community engagement to address policy improvements.
Associate professor Lori Williams of Mount Royal University noted that politicians often try to define a primary question for voters to consider in an election to gain a political advantage. However, with months to go until the municipal election and various issues to address, it is unclear what the main issue will be for voters. If Communities First wins a majority of seats in the election, they would have the opportunity to repeal the rezoning policy with a simple majority vote, which they were unable to achieve within council.
The debate over the citywide rezoning policy in Calgary highlights the tension between promoting smart development and preserving community involvement in decision-making processes. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how this issue will resonate with voters and if Communities First will be successful in their efforts to repeal the policy. Ultimately, the upcoming municipal election will be an important opportunity for Calgarians to have their say on the direction of the city’s planning policies and development strategies.
