eNEWS . 2025 12 21 . REZONING

|| = || __ MYKE ATKINSON’S THOUGHTS

The following is shared by Myke Atkinson’s Office in response to a request from SAHCA for feedback on the reason for his vote against the motion noted above:

Citywide Rezoning for Housing: What Happened, Where Things Stand, and What Comes Next

Over the past few weeks, many Ward 7 residents have reached out with questions and concerns about citywide rezoning and the future of Calgary’s Land Use Bylaw. We want to share a clear update on what Council decided, where Councillor Atkinson stands, and how residents can be involved moving forward.

What Council Decided

At the December 15 Regular Council meeting, Council passed a Notice of Motion directing Administration to draft an amending bylaw that would restore the base housing zoning of some parcels to what they were before the minimum base housing zone for R-1 and R-C1 lots was upzoned to R-CG land use district in 2024.

This draft bylaw has not been written yet. It will come forward for a Public Hearing of Council in Spring 2026, and public input will play an important role in shaping its final form.

Councillor Atkinson’s Position

During his campaign, Councillor Atkinson was clear that he does not support repealing citywide rezoning for housing — and he voted against the Notice of Motion on December 15.

That position is rooted in fairness across neighbourhoods, good long-term planning and ensuring Calgary can meet growing housing needs without placing the burden on just a few communities in the inner-city.

Simply repealing the current bylaw, without a clear and workable replacement, does not provide a responsible path forward for Calgary’s growth.

Why This Matters for Ward 7

Ward 7 has absorbed more redevelopment than any other ward for over a decade. Long before 2024, R-CG-style redevelopment was already happening here — and it would continue even if the base zoning were rolled back.

If citywide rezoning is repealed:

redevelopment would return to spot rezoning
growth would again be concentrated in the inner city
and Ward 7 residents would continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of change

Citywide rezoning helps spread responsibility for housing growth across the entire city — not just a handful of neighbourhoods.

Calgary Needs More Homes

Calgary’s population is growing at a record pace, while housing costs continue to rise. Limiting where and how housing can be built reduces choice, increases costs and makes it harder for people to stay in the communities they love.

Gentle density — small-scale homes like townhouses, rowhomes, and secondary suites — helps create more options for people at different stages of life, while supporting local businesses, schools, and transit.

At the Same Time: We’ve Heard Your Concerns

Many residents have told us that the current approach to redevelopment isn’t working well. Concerns we hear often include:

Midblock built forms which do not fit the existing context and character of neighbourhoods
Issues with space for parking and bins
Construction impacts, debris, noise, and unsecured vacant homes
A lack of meaningful protections for mature trees and established landscapes
The quality and longevity of new developments and current residents wanting to ensure that new builds last far into the future, so that neighbourhoods won't have to contend with more construction.
Ongoing delays because many projects still require discretionary approvals, despite the intention of the bylaw to reduce red tape, leaving homeowners and developers stuck in limbo for months.

These concerns are valid — and they must be addressed.

What Councillor Atkinson Is Working Toward

Rather than repeal, Councillor Atkinson is focused on improving the Land Use Bylaw so it delivers better outcomes for residents across the city. Areas he is exploring include:

Right-sizing R-CG so it’s compatible with places that don’t have back lanes. If we get this right, more neighbourhoods across Calgary can welcome missing-middle homes, increase tax productivity, and keep shops, parks, and transit viable. A better-designed, right-sized R-CG is key to ensuring that every community can participate in Calgary’s future, instead of placing all the responsibility for growth and change on inner-city communities.
Right-sizing what is allowed within R-CG and ensuring the land use district actually enables the variety of small-scale homes that Calgarians want, while also preventing “squeeze-in” developments that max out every inch of a lot. This includes: reducing the number of units per hectare rules so that the maximum built form of an R-CG lot contains six (6) units instead of the current eight (8), and further tightening rules around the total building envelope so that new homes fit comfortably on their plots, respect existing neighbourhood character, and leaves space for yards, trees, permeable surfaces, sunlight access, and overall livability.
Adjusting setback and massing rules so that maximum allowances don’t consume entire lots. Today’s rules can unintentionally encourage boxy, full lot builds that leave little room for greenery or usable outdoor space. By right-sizing setbacks and massing, we can support high-quality, small-scale density, allowing creativity and diversity in design, while protecting privacy, sunlight, and tree canopy.
Strengthening protections for mature trees and incentivizing developments that preserve or enhance the urban forest.
Improving accountability for keeping construction sites clean, secure, and safe for neighbours.
Reducing bottlenecks in the approval process, a process which costs the city over $20 million annually.

The goal is simple: build more homes, improve quality, and protect neighbourhood character — all at once.

What Happens Next

The current Land Use Bylaw remains in effect and will continue to apply until an amending bylaw is voted on, likely in 2026.
Any projects approved now must meet existing rules, including those for R-CG.
The proposed amending bylaw has not been finalized.
When it comes to Public Hearing, Councillor Atkinson looks forward to hearing directly from residents before making a final decision.

Stay Engaged

Your input matters. This process will shape how Calgary grows — not just in Ward 7, but citywide. We’ll continue to share updates as more information becomes available and will let you know when and how to participate.

As always, thank you for being engaged, thoughtful, and passionate about the future of our communities.

eNEWS . REZONING

2025-12-21 12:12