Calgary Says 'Hold Up!' to Blanket Upzoning: What the Council Vote Means for Your Neighbourhood
The Scene
The council chambers were buzzing on December 15th, and if you're a Calgarian who's been keeping an eye on your property lines, you'll want to lean in. In a decisive 13-2 vote, City Council moved to hit the brakes on the controversial blanket upzoning policy. This isn't just bureaucratic jargon; it's the first tangible step towards potentially unwinding citywide rezoning changes that started shaking up our neighbourhoods back in 2024. For homeowners wondering about the character of their streets, and for those eyeing future housing developments, this vote signals a significant shift in direction for how our city will grow, or perhaps, not grow, quite so densely.
What's Changing
Remember all the talk about duplexes, fourplexes, and row houses popping up in areas traditionally reserved for single-family homes, all without a land-use redesignation? That's the "blanket upzoning" we're talking about, officially making residential grade-oriented infill (R-CG) the City of Calgary's default residential zoning district as an amendment to our City of Calgary Land Use Bylaw 1P2007. Approved in May 2024 and effective August 6, 2024, it was designed to fast-track housing density. Now, with this council vote, administration has been directed to begin the intricate process of repealing that very bylaw amendment. This means that future developments will likely revert to requiring specific land-use changes, directly impacting the type and pace of infill housing you might see appearing on your street or in your community. It’s a return to a more traditional approval process, giving residents more direct input on hyper-local changes.
The Neighborhood Vibe
Of course, not everyone was on board with hitting the rewind button. Councillors Myke Atkinson from Ward 7 and Nathaniel Schmidt from Ward 8 stood out, casting the two dissenting votes. Councillor Schmidt, a vocal opponent of the repeal, has consistently argued for amending the existing policy rather than scrapping it entirely, believing it's more productive than "starting from scratch." This division highlights the ongoing tug-of-war within our city: the push for increased housing supply versus the desire to maintain established community character. For residents, this means that your ward councillor's stance on this issue directly reflects the future development philosophy for your neighbourhood, making their representation critical in shaping the place you call home.
Looking Ahead
So, what's next for this urban policy rollercoaster? The city is gearing up for a crucial public hearing, anticipated for March 2026. That 90-day public notification period is already ticking, so mark your calendars if you want your voice heard. But here's where it gets really real for every Calgarian: the potential financial fallout. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has reportedly paused future Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) payments, indicating that up to $129 million in federal funding could be jeopardized if Calgary rolls back this policy. This isn't just numbers on a page; this potential funding freeze could mean delays or even cancellations for housing initiatives intended to tackle our city's affordability crunch and housing supply gaps. It's a direct threat to projects that could otherwise put roofs over more Calgarians' heads, making the upcoming public hearing a critical moment for our city's future.
