Send Your Letter NOW to Oppose Blanket Rezoning in Calgary
Be sure to have your say by sending the NO Blanket ReZoning YYC letter to City Council Without Delay.
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HAVE YOUR SAY by sending the NoBlanketReZoningYYC letter to the Mayor and your Councillor in REAL TIME as they sit at the hearing.
Countdown to City of Calgary Public ReZoning Hearing
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First
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Second
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Third
We are independent. We are un-affiliated.
Although this website may be referenced, supported and promoted by others, we are not members of any community group, interest group, political party, business, or not for profit organization.
Purpose
The purpose of this website is to OPPOSE the proposed and imminent Blanket ReZoning of the ENTIRE City of Calgary to R-CG as a DEFAULT re-categorization of Detached Single Family Dwellings which are currently categorized as R-C1 and Duplexes and Semi-detached Dwellings
which are currently categorized as R-C2.
This is what is commonly referred to as “Blanket ReZoning” or “Blanket UpZoning”, and is a VERY significant part of the City of Calgary’s proposed “Housing Strategy”.
Context
Based on 2019 Census data, there were 285,930 Detached Single Family Dwellings of the total 521,257 Total Dwellings in the City of Calgary.
Detached Single Family Dwellings represented 55% of all dwellings in Calgary.
Blanket ReZoning will have a direct or indirect NEGATIVE affect on 55% of ALL DWELLINGS in the City of Calgary.
The City of Calgary – through City Administration and several city Councillors including:
WARD 3 Cllr. Jasmine Mian
WARD 5 Cllr. Raj Dhaliwal
WARD 6 Cllr. Richard Pootmans
WARD 7 Cllr. Terry Wong
WARD 8 Cllr. Courtney Walcott
WARD 9 Cllr. Gian-Carlo Carra
WARD 11 Cllr. Kourtney Penner
WARD 12 Cllr. Evan Spencer
MAYOR Jyoti Gondek
– is ACTIVELY seeking to resolve a housing “crisis” on the basis of imposing Blanket ReZoning on homeowners who have consciously and deliberately, in good faith, purchased homes in specific communities, with specific zoning and specific density mixes that suit their needs and vision for their families.
By filling out our form, your message will automatically be sent to your councillor based on your postal code. To FIND your COUNCILLOR and WARD you may use this link or the map below.
Consequences of Blanket ReZoning
Blanket ReZoning does NOT:
- create affordable housing;
- create housing abundance;
- respect sound planning of established communities, and ELIMINATES the rigorous planning required of all NEW “greenfield” communities when redeveloping and densifying existing communities;
- adopt the efforts or vision of the recently abandoned Local Area Plans in numerous Calgary communities to STEER CONTROLLED AND MANAGED HOUSING DENSIFICATION;
- save infrastructure money as compared to the development of NEW communities as redevelopment requires infrastructure upgrades too; or
- PROVIDE A PLANNED, DELIBERATE, PROPORTIONATE SOLUTION to the housing needs in Calgary.
Blanket ReZoning DOES:
- Encourage and permit UN-PLANNED AND UN-COORDINATED DEVELOPMENT in existing communities that were NOT designed for substantial increases in density beyond their contemplated use and capacity;
- HYPER-CAPACITATE the Electrical Grid, Water Services, Sewer Services, Parking and EMS in existing communities;
- NEGATIVELY AND SUBSTANTIALLY AFFECT property values of long-term community residents on their SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT;
- DENY homeowners in existing communities the right to receive notice of, speak to and contest development proposals in their community – ELIMINATING DUE PROCESS for changes to neighbourhoods and communities;
- CHASE EXISTING HOMEOWNERS from THEIR neighbourhoods and communities as they are FUNDAMENTALLY and IRREVERSIBLY changed from their original character;
- HAVE PROFOUND, IRREVERSIBLE NEGATIVE EFFECTS on those who have consciously, deliberately, and in good faith, purchased homes in specific communities, with specific zoning and density mixes that suit their needs and vision for their families; and
- Place the interests of ‘the few’ ahead of and above ‘the many’ who will pay a dear, unexpected and unnecessary price for Blanket ReZoning.
The "Friendly Limited Densification" Myth
Many on City Council, including most of the Councillors identified above, are suggesting that effects of Blanket ReZoning will not be profound with “excessive” high density installations going in next door to your Detached Single Family Home or Semi-detached Home.
This is simply not the case.
The proposed Blanket ReZoning will qualify, AS OF RIGHT, a “standard” 50×120 foot Calgary lot with a Detached Single Family Dwelling on it for, amongst other things, a 4 PLEX , WITHOUT PUBLIC CONSULTATION regarding change of land use designation – as is presently the case under the existing regulations.
Fun Fact
Along WITH the default, automatic approval of a 4 PLEX under the proposed Blanket ReZoning, there will also be permitted, AS OF RIGHT, a secondary suite for EACH of the units in the 4 PLEX, making for an EASY 8 NEW dwellings where only ONE is permitted under the present regulations.
There are also provisions in the proposed Blanket ReZoning that would permit BACKYARD SUITES/ LANEWAY DWELLINGS/GARDEN SUITES/CARRIAGE HOUSES to be added to redeveloped lots in Calgary – ALL IN ADDITION TO THE EASY 8 NEW dwellings on the lot – which could bring the total of NEW dwellings on a lot to IN EXCESS OF 10.
Fun Fact
The proposed Blanket ReZoning ALSO reduces or eliminates parking availability requirements for new developments – taking them to 0.5 or ZERO parking spaces per NEW dwelling.
The proposed Blanket ReZoning is neither Friendly nor Limited.
Be sure to have your say by sending the NO Blanket ReZoning YYC letter to City Council.
The Blanket Rezoning "Essentiality" Myth
Many on City Council, including most of the Councillors identified above, are suggesting that Blanket ReZoning is essential, urgent, and the ONLY solution to the housing future of Calgary. These individuals purport that the City does not have authority to permit land re-designations to permit densification in existing communities.
Under the proposed NEW Blanket ReZoning, City Council and Administration are seeking powers that they already have under the present regulations – the power to approve densification through redevelopment in existing communities – they just want to ELIMINATE THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION COMPONENT for land use redesignations as is required by the present regulations. This removes an existing resident’s opportunity to have a say in the future of their neighbourhood. This is existing residents’ ability to protect the integrity and character of their neighbourhood.
Under the proposed Blanket ReZoning, City Council and Administration are seeking to DENY homeowners and their neighbours their RIGHT to have their voices heard before City Council to ensure deliberate, coordinated and planned development in their communities.
Fun Fact
Under the present regulations governing redevelopment of existing lots, City Council ALREADY HAS THE AUTHORITY to change land use designations to allow for densification in existing communities – it just requires a transparent public hearing before City Council to review the application and hear the voices of interested parties, neighbours and community members. If the proposed redevelopment application for densification complies with regulations and meets the needs of and vision for the community . . . it WILL be approved. If it doesn’t, it won’t. This creates the necessary deliberate, coordinated and planned development and redevelopment in existing communities.
Under the proposed NEW Blanket ReZoning, City Council and Administration are seeking powers that they already have under the present regulations – the power to approve densification through redevelopment in existing communities – they just want to ELIMINATE THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION COMPONENT for land use redesignations as is required by the present regulations. This removes an existing resident’s opportunity to have a say in the future of their neighbourhood. This DENIES existing residents’ ability to protect the integrity and character of their neighbourhood.
Under the proposed Blanket ReZoning, City Council and Administration are seeking to DENY homeowners and their neighbours their RIGHT to have their voices heard before City Council to ensure deliberate, coordinated and planned development in their communities.
Why would city council seek powers they already have?
TIMING – PLEASE SEND THE “NO BLANKET REZONING YYC” LETTER THROUGH THIS WEBSITE WITHOUT DELAY
The City of Calgary is holding a Public Hearing on Blanket ReZoning beginning Monday, April 22,
2024 to seek comments and input from individuals, community groups, interest and lobby
groups, businesses, and not for profit organizations.
Don’t miss your chance to have your say, take action now.
Limited Public Consultation
The issue of Blanket ReZoning has been the subject of very limited public consultation by the City of Calgary through “Open Houses” and “Town Halls”.
The sum total of these City of Calgary hosted “in-person” Public Open House Sessions has been 27 Hours over 9 days from January 30, 2024 – February 10, 2024, and March 11, 2024 – March 16, 2024. This equates to only 2.94 seconds of consultation per household.
There have also been a very few, very time-limited and capacity-restricted Townhalls hosted by some City Councillors.
The total number of in-person access and engagement hours with City Councillors, planning and Administration totals in the paltry mid double digits of hours.
This issue effects hundreds of thousands of homeowners and residents of Calgary.
Why is each household allotted only 2.94 seconds for consultation?
The City’s official 27 hours expended on “engagement”, simply is not sufficient for the hundreds of thousands of Calgarians who are interested in and affected by the advancing Blanket ReZoning agenda of the City of Calgary.
The City Council members are duty and ethically bound to remain “amenable to persuasion” before voting on this issue.
It does not appear at all that they are upholding these obligations to Calgarians and are clearly not listening to Calgarians on the Blanket ReZoning issue.
It is very clear that many Councillors and the Mayor have their minds made up, and rather than seeking engagement, input and advice from Calgarians, they remain bent on attempting to persuade Calgarians that their advancing housing densification agenda is harmless, thoughtful and the only solution for managing Calgary’s housing growth.
It is simply not the case.
Please take this opportunity to send a clear, written, documented message to your City Council by taking a few moments to complete the attached letter below which will be immediately sent to City Council to let them know in undeniable, unmistakable, undismissible terms that you
OPPOSE BLANKET REZONING in the City of Calgary.
Be sure to have your say by sending the NO Blanket ReZoning YYC letter to City Council without delay.
Fill out this form to automatically send a letter to Mayor Gondek and your city councillor opposing blanket rezoning.
*To FIND your WARD you may use this link.
Letter Preview
Dear Councillor,
I am a resident of Calgary living in WARD _.
I am fully informed on the proposed Housing Strategy by the City of Calgary and fully understand that City Administration and Council are purposively advancing the Blanket ReZoning of Detached Single Family Dwellings.
I understand that there is to be a Public Hearing beginning on Monday, April 22, 2024, to receive comments and submissions from Calgarians, interest groups and not for profit agencies.
I wish to provide you with my thoughts in OPPOSITION to Blanket ReZoning for the following reasons:
The proposed Blanket ReZoning DOES NOT:
- create affordable housing;
- create housing abundance;
- respect sound planning of established communities, and ELIMINATES the rigorous planning required of all NEW “greenfield” communities when redeveloping and densifying existing communities;
- adopt the efforts or vision of the recently abandoned Local Area Plans in numerous Calgary communities to STEER CONTROLLED AND MANAGED HOUSING DENSIFICATION;
- save infrastructure money as compared to the development of NEW communities as redevelopment requires infrastructure upgrades too; or
- PROVIDE A PLANNED, DELIBERATE, PROPORTIONATE SOLUTION to the housing needs in Calgary.
The proposed Blanket ReZoning DOES:
- Encourage and permit UN-PLANNED AND UN-COORDINATED DEVELOPMENT in existing communities that were NOT designed for substantial increases in density beyond their contemplated use and capacity;
- HYPER-CAPACITATE the Electrical Grid, Water Services, Sewer Services, Parking and EMS in existing communities;
- NEGATIVELY AND SUBSTANTIALLY AFFECT property values of long-term community residents on their SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT;
- DENY homeowners in existing communities the right to receive notice of, speak to and contest development proposals in their community – ELIMINATING DUE PROCESS for changes to neighbourhoods and communities;
- CHASE EXISTING HOMEOWNERS from THEIR neighbourhoods and communities as they are FUNDAMENTALLY and IRREVERSIBLY changed from their original character;
- HAVE PROFOUND, IRREVERSIBLE NEGATIVE EFFECTS on those who have consciously, deliberately, and in good faith, purchased homes in specific communities, with specific zoning and density mixes that suit their needs and vision for their families; and
- Place the interests of ‘the few’ ahead of and above ‘the many’ who will pay a dear, unexpected and unnecessary price for Blanket ReZoning.
I also understand that City Council will be holding a VOTE on the approval or defeat of Blanket ReZoning in very short order, likely immediately after the conclusion of the April 2024 Public Hearing.
I note that the vote to advance the Housing Strategy in the prior phase was very hastily conducted on an “URGENT” basis on SATURDAY, September 16, 2023, IMMEDIATELY after the closing of the September 2023 Public Hearing, and WITHOUT further research, review, consideration of or collaboration with those who made submissions to council, or with fellow Councillors or Administration. This Council HASTE was distasteful and unnecessary, and it rendered the “Public Consultation” PERFORMATIVE and MEANINGLESS, and was a disservice to the great many who spoke in OPPOSITION to the proposed Housing Strategy.
I urge you to carefully, unhurriedly and thoughtfully consider the palpable opposition to Blanket ReZoning, and to TRULY REPRESENT the hundreds of thousands of people who will be profoundly compromised should Blanket ReZoning proceed.
If you feel confident and truly believe that the MAJORITY OF CALGARIANS – and the ELECTORS IN YOUR WARD in particular – support Blanket ReZoning, I urge you to DEFER any support for Blanket ReZoning until the next Civic Election on October 20, 2025, AND STAKE YOUR RE-ELECTION ON YOUR SUPPORT FOR BLANKET REZONING.
I implore you to VOTE AGAINST the Blanket ReZoning of the City of Calgary.
For the purposes of validation and verification of the authenticity of this correspondence, or if you wish to DISCUSS my concerns with me, I may be contacted at:
[NAME] [POSTAL CODE] [TELEPHONE] [EMAIL]
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