Calgary councillor calling for plebiscite on blanket rezoning proposal
Posted Mar 7, 2024 9:08 am.
Last Updated Mar 14, 2024 10:19 am.
Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean is calling for a plebiscite on the City of Calgary’s proposal on blanket rezoning, which is aimed at achieving the construction of more housing.
The southwest Calgary councillor says in his post to X that residents have told him up-zoning every single family home in Calgary would change the character and nature of the communities they live in.
“Something this consequential should go to the people,” McLean said outside council chambers Thursday.
Residents tell me that
Up Zoning EVERY single family home in Calgary would change the character and nature of the communities they live in and SHOULD require a MANDATE from Calgarians so I have put forth a Notice of Motion to hold a Plebiscite on the proposed Blanket Re Zoning. pic.twitter.com/YrKgwEWrBH— Dan McLean (@DanWMcLean) March 7, 2024
McLean’s Notice of Motion calls for a vote from residents in conjunction with the next municipal election on Oct. 20, 2025.
“Not one councillor campaigned on a mandate for upzoning the entire city,” he said. “That will effect every single property owner, every taxpayer in the city.”
A public hearing on the blanket rezoning policy is set for April 22. McLean is calling for that hearing to be cancelled.
READ MORE: Calgary says city-wide rezoning will help housing crisis, begins public engagement
He has the support of five other councillors, according to documents — Andrea Chabot, Sonya Sharp, Sean Chu, Peter Demong, and Terry Wong.
The councillor also says plebiscites were held on other issues of public importance, including the 2026 Winter Olympics and the re-introduction of fluoride into the city’s drinking water system.
Back in September, federal Minister of Housing Sean Fraser sent the city a letter warning them that funds for more affordable housing could be at risk if council doesn’t go forward with blanket rezoning.
But, McLean says he’s not buying it.
“I will not be bribed by the Trudeau government to change my zoning laws over money, and this is what I see it as,” he said.
-With files from Tiffany Goodwein and Henna Saeed
