Residents of SW Calgary community head to court with city over controversial development vote

Residents of a southwest Calgary neighbourhood will be in court again on Monday to ask a judge to defer a public hearing on a controversial development in their area.

Calgarians living in Springbank Hill say they are taking legal action against the City of Calgary, frustrated by the “refusal to respect their democratic right to representation.”

At issue is the proposed Augusta Villas development at 30 Elveden Drive SW, which would see the construction of 42 luxury villa-style townhomes.

B&A Studios Inc., which is working with the private developer that owns the land, says the project plan has been downgraded from the originally proposed 56 units.

The project would also not allow for basement suites or secondary units, which B&A says will make the community quieter and less dense.

Residents have long called for the project timeline to slow down, given Ward 6 has been without a councillor since late 2024, following the resignation of Richard Pootmans.

Coun. Sonya Sharp, Coun. Courtney Walcott, and Coun. Kourtney Penner was assigned to monitor the area and be available to Ward 6 residents in the absence of Pootmans.

Community members say this situation has left them without a voice in a decision that will have permanent impacts on their community.

Their ask was for an administrative delay to November, at which time the ward would have a councillor post-municipal election.

“There is no irreparable harm to the city or the developer, but the Springbank Hill community stands to suffer long-term consequences to traffic, infrastructure, safety of local school children, flooding, and erosion if the vote proceeds now,” resident Sara Austin said.

She adds that this fight isn’t just about one development; it’s about holding elected officials accountable and ensuring residents have fair representation.

“The system is broken when citizens must go to court to protect their basic democratic rights,” said resident Arianna Carlotti.

The development is scheduled for a council vote on Sept. 9.

Residents had tried to stall that ballot with a petition, letters to city hall, and requests for meetings to no avail — the vote will still go ahead on Tuesday.

That is, unless the judge rules in the group’s favour. There was an interim hearing at court on Friday, and the matter will be heard by a judge on Monday afternoon.

In a town hall held earlier this week, Sharp, who is also running for mayor, said she is prepared to bring forward a motion for a postponement on September 9.

It would need eight votes to pass.