A motion to repeal Calgary’s controversial blanket rezoning bylaw is heading to the city’s Executive Committee, marking one of the most significant early policy tests for Mayor Jeromy Farkas. The bylaw, introduced in 2024, automatically rezoned many low-density residential areas to allow a wider range of housing types without requiring individual public hearings. Supporters saw it as a way to boost housing supply, while critics argued it undermined neighbourhood character and bypassed resident input.
The repeal motion, backed by the mayor and several councillors, argues that blanket rezoning has not meaningfully improved affordability and has instead created concerns around parking shortages, infrastructure strain, tree-canopy loss, and reduced public oversight. If approved, the repeal would restore earlier zoning rules and reinstate the requirement for site-specific hearings, while offering transitional allowances for applications already underway.
With many members of the newly elected council campaigning on reforming or scrapping blanket rezoning, the motion represents a key opportunity to fulfill campaign promises. However, repealing the policy will require careful planning to avoid disrupting development pipelines and to ensure that any new system addresses the city’s ongoing housing needs.
