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Urban Development and Proposals Discussion

Is this office building undergoing a residential conversion? I noticed that it was completely wrapped up in scaffolding and tarps last time I was through the area
1300 8 St SW
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I like this concept of a rezoning renovation instead of a full repeal. As much as I love skyscrapers, I definitely don't want Calgary to end up like Toronto and I think a full repeal of rezoning points us in that direction.

 
On Dec. 15, Calgary city council will debate a notice of motion to repeal blanket rezoning. In an election in which it was allegedly the defining issue, voter turnout was the lowest in more than a decade. If Calgarians were fired up about rezoning, it wasn’t enough to get them to the ballot box.

Rezoning polled well down the priority list of Calgarians, with an almost 50-50 split between supporters and opponents.
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What topped the polls were concerns about lowering taxes and affordability. While the effectiveness of blanket rezoning has been hotly debated, what isn’t up for debate is how Calgary’s former zoning rules drove urban sprawl and pushed up rents and house prices. If Calgarians want lower taxes and affordability, a full rezoning repeal delivers the complete opposite outcome.

Really great points here. Repealers vastly overstate their so-called mandate. Among councillors it's basically 7-7, but a couple of those wins were by pretty slim margins.

Very reasonable proposed solutions. A general scale back to 4 dwellings mid-block is fine. There can still remain the option to apply for land-use amendment if it really makes sense for a location (though that will be less likely to happen, which is also fine).
 
Does anyone know the technicalities of how a councillor could bring a competing/complimentary motion (at this point probably a motion arising I think) for scaling back RC-G? I think as chair the mayor has some ability to manage the order of the agenda and order of voting on motions...I think maybe councillors can bring a motion to pull items or adjust the order of the agenda near the start of the meeting when they vote to adopt the agenda (typically just a formality)?

What we need out of Dec. 15 is for council to direct admin to:
- bring a report on how repealing will work to be debated/voted on in March (this is already in motion)
- bring a report on implications of scaled back RCG to be debated/voted on in March

And then the sensible order would be to vote on scaling back first, and then full repeal. But I worry Jeromy will argue that scaling back is moot if they vote to repeal so that vote should be first (but really he just won't want to put himself and others to repeal from a more reasonable point)

If it's current RCG = 8 plex + no parking restrictions vs. full repeal then we're almost certainly doomed.

If it's RCG = 4 plex + some parking restrictions + etc vs full repeal then there is a chance.


The other technical question I have is if common expert sense prevails and we get the latter, would that preclude this council from bringing a motion to repeal again later in this same term? It just makes way more sense to try a scaled back version for a year or two before throwing the baby out with the bath water, but I think that will fall on deaf ears for at least 6 of the councillors and probably the mayor.
 
Has the city found a new location for the dirt bike track?
They have another season to use it. They will not be breaking ground until early '27 at the earliest. In the article it said they're working constructively with the City on next steps.

As for the bus barn, could mean occupancy by late '28 or early '29 (I don't know how long it takes build a bus barn)? Meaning the land in Victoria Park could be available at some point around 2030. I can't believe we're at the point where I am realistically typing the year 2030and having it be within a reasonable timeline.
 

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