Gondek, city council prepare for public hearing on rezoning proposal

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It’s nonetheless 4 weeks away, however Calgary metropolis council’s upcoming public listening to on citywide rezoning continues to weigh on residents’ minds.

That a lot was evident Tuesday on the Fairmont Palliser, the place Mayor Jyoti Gondek gave her state of town deal with to the Rotary Membership of Calgary Downtown.

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After the mayor’s 20-minute speech, the primary two audience-submitted questions associated to town’s contentious rezoning proposal — reflecting Calgarians’ curiosity within the subject because it was first adopted as part of the housing technique council handed final September.

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Gondek was requested why a proposal that might lead to “such vital change” doesn’t warrant a citywide vote, referring to a current failed try by a minority of council to take the problem to a plebiscite, which might have been held along with the subsequent municipal election in October 2025.

“Having council by itself make that call, I believe, is flawed and it goes towards the rules of democracy,” the Rotarian stated, adopted by applause from roughly half the gang.

Gondek stated that when council convenes for the general public listening to on April 22, they’re legally obligated to stay “amenable to persuasion.”

“Till April 22, there isn’t any indication of which method that is going to go,” she stated.

She added that her choice shall be rooted in what members of the general public say, in addition to what administration and housing specialists say.

“Actually, Calgarians’ voices shall be heard — you possibly can relaxation assured on that.”

What’s being proposed?

It’s anticipated to be a days-long public listening to, the place doubtlessly a whole lot of Calgarians will share their ideas on a land-use bylaw modification to alter town’s base zoning district to residential grade-oriented infill.

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Extra generally known as RC-G, the district would enable for medium-density houses with ground-level entrances, comparable to duplexes, fourplexes and row homes, to be constructed on a person plot of land in neighbourhoods at present zoned solely for single-family houses.

Whereas it’s already potential to construct medium-density housing kinds in “established” communities, the method first requires a property proprietor to use for a land-use redesignation (additionally known as a rezoning) to town. If the rezoning is accepted, the property proprietor then applies for a improvement allow.

Critics of blanket rezoning fear that densification would alter the character of Calgary’s established communities. Additionally they declare it might negatively have an effect on property values, trigger extra parking/visitors congestion, and take away a neighbour’s proper to supply suggestions through the land-use redesignation course of.

Proponents argue the zoning change would velocity up the method of redeveloping a property by eliminating the necessity for particular person rezoning functions.

Additionally they say it might enable for extra inexpensive housing all through town, assuaging demand by growing provide to assist carry costs down.

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Gondek appeared to channel that perspective when answering the second viewers member’s query on Tuesday, which requested if she feels property house owners ought to have a say in selections that might have an effect on their property values.

“There’s individuals who will argue that by creating zoning that enables for one, two, three or 4 models on a parcel, you’re creating extra provide,” she replied. “By creating extra provide, you’re easing the affordability points we have now available in the market proper now. That can enable for individuals to remain in our metropolis as an alternative of shifting away.”

She additionally identified that each one newer communities in Calgary — these constructed prior to now 10 years — are already zoned to accommodate a variety of combined housing kinds, together with cottage housing clusters, duplexes, row homes, semi-detached and single-detached houses.

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Mayor hopes public listening to clears up misconceptions

After Tuesday’s occasion, Gondek instructed Postmedia she acknowledges the rezoning proposal has been polarizing.

“I believe it’s as a result of an individual’s biggest asset is their dwelling,” she stated. “We’ve developed a society the place housing isn’t a proper, housing is an asset. For that motive, individuals really feel that their financial savings are tied up of their dwelling and, subsequently, their high quality of life is tied up in there as properly.”

Nevertheless it’s additionally prompted confusion, Gondek added, as some Calgarians suppose it means multi-storey condo buildings will begin to be developed subsequent to their single-family houses.

She stated she hopes the general public listening to may also help clear up these misconceptions.

“We get every thing beneath the solar after we maintain a public listening to and it’s essential to hearken to all of it to get a real feeling of how persons are feeling,” Gondek stated.

“The opposite factor it presents us is the chance to handle issues that might not be rooted in actual fact. That’s to not say somebody is misinformed, however they could have a bit of misinformation that’s colouring their opinion of what that is.

“Working example is when individuals say ‘I don’t need an condo block beside my home.’ That’s not what’s being proposed.”

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