In the ongoing Calgary municipal election, blanket rezoning has emerged as a contentious issue, with several voters seeking candidates willing to overturn the reforms implemented by the previous council. Among the leading candidates, three out of the five have committed to either repealing or significantly revising the blanket rezoning changes. However, their approaches to this issue vary, leading to differing opinions on the next steps.
The concept of blanket rezoning was initially approved by the City Council in May 2024 after receiving feedback from over 700 individuals, both in favor and against the idea. The goal behind blanket rezoning is to enhance housing diversity in established neighborhoods by allowing townhouses and small multi-family developments to proceed without the need for individual rezoning approvals from the council.
Recently, discussions on housing have taken center stage, with the Calgary Real Estate Board and the Open Concepts Design Collective hosting debates involving the top five mayoral candidates. Notably, candidates like Brian Thiessen, Jeff Davison, Jeromy Farkas, Jyoti Gondek, and Sonya Sharp have outlined their housing plans, each offering distinct perspectives on addressing the housing challenges in the city.
Brian Thiessen, representing The Calgary Party, has proposed sending the blanket rezoning issue to a council committee for revision. He suggests imposing a cap on the number of units allowed on a standard mid-block lot and introducing guaranteed response times for different types of housing projects.
On the other hand, Jeff Davison, an independent candidate endorsed by A Better Calgary Party, advocates for repealing blanket rezoning. He emphasizes the need to explore new land developments for creating entirely new communities rather than relying solely on infill projects in established areas.
Jeromy Farkas, also running independently, raises concerns about housing affordability and the negative impacts of blanket rezoning on community stability. He stresses the importance of strategic infrastructure investments and concentrating new housing developments near essential amenities and public services.
Jyoti Gondek, an independent candidate seeking re-election, supports retaining blanket rezoning, highlighting the policy’s role in offering housing choices and involving the community in development decisions.
Sonya Sharp, running with the Communities First party, strongly opposes blanket rezoning and advocates for its complete repeal. She proposes an amnesty program for property owners wishing to revert to previous zoning regulations, emphasizing the need for efficient planning processes to address housing challenges.
The diverse perspectives among the mayoral candidates reflect the ongoing debates and varying opinions on how best to tackle Calgary’s housing issues and ensure sustainable urban development.