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A proposed redevelopment in Marda Loop prompted a debate on city council this week about whether there’s\u00a0 a \u201cwar on the car\u201d being waged in Calgary.<\/p>\n
But coming on the heels of a pair of pedestrian deaths, Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt called the claim \u201cirresponsible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The debate stems from a proposed land use change that city council discussed on Tuesday for a six-storey redevelopment on 34th Avenue S.W. in the city\u2019s Marda Loop community. The development would include 44 housing units as well as commercial space, but its applicant asked the city to relax its minimum parking requirements down to 12 stalls, arguing more than half of households in the area own one or zero cars.<\/p>\n
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Dan McLean argued in city hall last week that there’s a “war” on cars currently in Calgary, criticizing new developments that don’t have enough parking space. (Brendan Coulter\/CBC)<\/p>\n
Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean voted against the development and connected it to a larger \u201cattack\u201d on cars that he said he sees in Calgary.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a car-centric city and province, and so to neglect that is irresponsible,\u201d said McLean.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be different if we lived in Paris or New York. But we\u2019ve got a lot of room to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n
McLean argued people are fighting to get around in denser communities, and that the competition for parking spots in some parts of Calgary is leading to more road rage.<\/p>\n
![\"Ward](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771769470_353_default.jpg\")
Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt pushed back on a claim in council last week that there’s a “war on cars” in Calgary. (Brendan Coulter\/CBC)<\/p>\n
But Schmidt, who represents Marda Loop residents, argued the development presents a more affordable option for potential residents that own less than two vehicles.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we have certain developments that have less parking, there is a market for it. I myself would be in that market owning one vehicle with kids,\u201d Schmidt said in council on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy framing it as a war, we are moving the conversation to a negative place where it assumes how people live. It\u2019s not our job to assume how people live, it\u2019s our job to give them the opportunity to live how they want to live.\u201d<\/p>\n
Council debate follows pair of pedestrian deaths<\/p>\n
The debate came days after a pair of pedestrian deaths in Calgary last weekend. A man in his 70s died after being struck by a tractor trailer, while in a marked crosswalk, on Monday morning<\/a>. A day earlier, a toddler died<\/a>, while being pushed in a stroller by two adults, after being struck by a Jeep Cherokee turning into an intersection at a marked crosswalk.<\/p>\n WATCH | A new development in Marda Loop stirred up debate in city hall: Is there a ‘war on the car’ in Calgary? Parking spots prompt city hall debate<\/p>\n A proposed redevelopment in Marda Loop is stirring up debate at city hall on the future of parking in Calgary. With fewer spots than units planned for the building, Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean suggests there’s a ‘war on the car’ in the city. <\/p>\n Later in the week, Schmidt posted to social media that blaming a lack of parking for increased road rage and claiming there\u2019s a \u201cwar on cars,\u201d days after two Calgarians were killed while walking in marked crosswalks, is \u201cirresponsible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCalgary saw a record 15 pedestrians killed in 2025. This is a failure of leadership. We must do better,” said Schmidt.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771769470_911_default.jpg\")
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A new development in Marda Loop stirred up debate on city council last week after it proposed new residential units with few parking spaces. (Brendan Coulter\/CBC)<\/p>\n