Will Mayor Farkas Roll Back Blanket Rezoning in Calgary?

Mayor Jeromy Farkas officially stepped into office on October 29, 2025, and Calgarians are keenly watching to see if he’ll deliver on his biggest campaign promise: tackling the contentious blanket rezoning bylaw.

This citywide rezoning, approved by City Council on May 14, 2024, and effective August 6, 2024, aimed to simplify development and increase housing options by allowing higher-density homes like duplexes, row houses, and townhouses in most residential zones. While proponents lauded its potential to boost supply and affordability, it sparked Calgary's longest public hearing ever, drawing over 5,500 written submissions and hundreds of speakers, with nearly 70 percent opposing the change. Residents, especially in older, established neighbourhoods like Bowness, Glenbrook, Mount Pleasant, and Capitol Hill, voiced significant concerns about maintaining community character, privacy, property values, and the strain on existing infrastructure, including parking and storm sewers. Groups like "Calgarians for Thoughtful Growth" even launched legal challenges, arguing the process was unfair and disregarded residents' rights.

Mayor Farkas's pledge to repeal this bylaw could fundamentally reshape how Calgary grows. While city officials claim the rezoning has led to record housing starts and increased diversity in housing types, others remain skeptical about its actual impact on affordability for everyday Calgarians. The outcome will directly affect local homeowners, developers, and businesses, dictating the future of our neighbourhoods. This isn't just about zoning; it's about the very fabric of our city's development. Stay tuned – this decision could redefine Calgary's future.