Calgary city council votes to start repeal of blanket rezoning

Calgary city council has voted to kickstart the process of repealing the city’s blanket rezoning policy, approving the notice of motion in a 13–2 vote Monday, with councillors Schmidt and Atkinson opposed.

The decision does not change zoning rules right away, but it formally launches the repeal process.

“I’ve been advocating for a straight repeal from the beginning, because that’s what Calgarians want. They asked us for a full repeal at the doors at community centers across the city,” said Coun. Dan McLean.

Repealing the policy requires changes to the city’s land-use bylaw, which means the issue must go to a public hearing before council can make a final decision.

The hearing is expected to take place in March.

The rezoning policy was approved in 2024 as part of the city’s housing strategy to allow for denser housing. But, the policy quickly became controversial.

“We have an awful lot in Ward 4, of these houses being built, especially mid block and on lane list loss. It just doesn’t work,” said Coun. DJ Kelly. “I was happy to vote in favor of repealing the blanket rezoning today, but you have to replace it with something — something has to come next

Critics argued it worsens traffic and parking, strains infrastructure, and changes the character of established neighbourhoods.

The issue remains a flashpoint at city hall and became a major theme in October’s municipal election. Several councillors — along with Mayor Farkas — campaigned on a promise to repeal the policy.

“It’s very clear for the vast majority of Calgarians that they didn’t feel listened to through the process, and blanket rezoning hadn’t delivered the amount of housing in the appropriate locations and at the price points to actually deal with the housing affordability crisis that is being faced here in the city, as well as coast to coast,” Farkas said.

But, opponents of repeal say rolling back the policy won’t fix existing problems.

Coun. Myke Atkinson, whose ward includes downtown and several high-density communities, argues repeal won’t improve housing affordability or ease neighbourhood concerns. 

“We actually need to get in and fix the rules around RCG to make sure that they are meeting the objectives of building more housing, both in the inner city and beyond, while also respecting the needs of the established neighbors and neighborhoods that they’re coming into,” he explained.