Calgary city council approves Bowness affordable housing development after push back from residents

Calgary city council approved a new affordable housing complex in Bowness Wednesday.

The go-ahead for the project on Bowness Road comes after many nearby residents stood in opposition to the project, because it would mean the loss of a beloved playground.

A petition with 1,200 signatures was also submitted.

The vote carried 9 to 5 in support of the Trellis Society project, which would create 50 new housing units for low income families.

Coun. Courtney Walcott was one of the councillors who voted in favour.

“If you do oppose this, even if it is for the altruistic beliefs of protecting the park and not believing that there’s a fair trade off in the revitalization of other green spaces — it is opposing affordable housing because it is this right here that is going to make the next Trellis project more expensive, it is this right here that’s going to make sure these homes don’t get built,” he said.

Coun. Gian Carlo Carra also voted in support of the project, saying a new — and better — playground is possible for the area.

“I’m sorry to the community who are upset about this, but I also think you’re going to get a better playground or playgrounds out of this — work with your local councillor, work with the applicant, and the city to make that happen and welcome the new neighbours because they will be very happy to be Bownesians,” he said.

Coun. Sharp, Chu, Wong, Chaboy, and Maclean voted against.

“The process, I feel has actually failed the applicant and this actually serves of something we shouldn’t be doing — the time, the cost, the energy — from both the applicant and this community,” Sharp said.