When the province stepped in to force Edmonton to change its rules surrounding high-density zoning this week, it didn’t leave Calgary out of its decision.<\/p>\n
Premier Danielle Smith outlined how her government is influencing municipal zoning rules on Thursday, by forcing Edmonton<\/a> to repeal its zoning bylaw and revert to rules that were in place before 2024.<\/p>\n The province is also telling Calgary to maintain its current approach to housing after city council voted to repeal blanket rezoning<\/a> earlier this year, following weeks of public hearings. The decision complicates council’s ability to craft a replacement policy<\/a> to support more density in Calgary after years of a booming population.<\/p>\n Blanket rezoning was introduced in 2024, and it allowed for multi-unit housing types, such as rowhouses or fourplexes, on lots previously zoned for just single-family homes.<\/p>\n Now, the Alberta government is establishing provincewide expectations calling for infill development to be “appropriately scaled” and supported by adequate utilities and water infrastructure. It’s also calling on Calgary to identify properties that reverted to lower-density zoning after rezoning was repealed.<\/p>\n It’s asking Calgary and Edmonton to review their land-use bylaws and develop a “more balanced” approach to high-density infill development, which is work Calgary is already scheduled to complete by next year.<\/p>\n Ward 4 Coun. DJ Kelly said the province’s direction raises the question of what “appropriate scale” means. He argued it’s a decision best made by local governments, not the province, as zoning rules have traditionally been under city council’s jurisdiction.<\/p>\n “I hear the provincial government talk about ‘Ottawa needs to stay in their lane, cities need to stay in their lane.’ This is them getting into our business quite a bit,” said Kelly.<\/p>\n Council has not proposed another citywide zoning policy since blanket rezoning was repealed.<\/p>\n Blanket rezoning was a wedge issue in last fall’s municipal election campaign, with many candidates pledging to repeal the policy and return to the previous regime. Council followed through on that work within the first six months of its term.<\/p>\n Provincial influence in local decisions<\/p>\n Alberta’s Municipal Government Act allows the province to direct municipalities to amend their bylaws. Smith argued blanket rezoning changes blindsided residents, leading to Thursday’s announcement.<\/p>\n “By and large, we like to leave municipalities to make their own decisions, and by and large we haven’t had to use this power,” said Smith.<\/p>\n “But when municipalities have taken actions that are undermining people’s property value, when you see the kind of reaction we’ve seen from residents, then we have to step in.”<\/p>\n Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt, who campaigned last fall against repealing rezoning, questioned why the province was suddenly taking more interest in local zoning bylaws, and what process it used to arrive at its decision. He said council wasn’t consulted enough on the decision.<\/p>\n He argued the decision feels more political than policy-driven, and compared it to other decisions where the province has introduced a policy affecting municipalities without providing enough direction about the process and goals behind it, such as removing photo radar<\/a>, restrictions on library materials<\/a> and an upcoming decision around removing bike lanes<\/a>.<\/p>\n “What confidence do we have in any of the works that we do at this point?” said Schmidt.<\/p>\n “If we spend months and years working on a new Calgary Plan, a new municipal development plan, a new zoning bylaw, if we come up with a finished product and they don’t like it, then are they just going to reverse that time and money that has gone into that process again?”<\/p>\n Federal funding complicated<\/p>\n Ward 2 Coun. Jennifer Wyness said the province shouldn’t be involved in municipal zoning rules, and noted the city has already started working on what the province is calling for.<\/p>\n “It is a bit complicated when the province starts coming in, but we’re a step ahead,” said Wyness.<\/p>\n But she added she’s concerned what the province’s decision means for federal funding.<\/p>\n