On April 22, Calgarians will gather at City Hall for a public hearing on the proposed citywide rezoning.
An outcome of the City of Calgary’s Home is Here housing strategy is rezoning for housing, which allows for more medium-density and high-density housing to be built in single-home neighbourhoods.
Controversy over the rezoning arose when it was announced. To educate residents, the City hosted a series of public information sessions throughout February and March. Most attendees at the information sessions were upset with the proposed rezoning.
In response to those frustrations voiced by Calgarians, council members voted in March on a proposal to hold a plebiscite after six councillors endorsed the motion. The vote denied the motion and April’s public hearing will continue as planned.
For those unable to attend the hearing on April 22, written letters can be submitted to the City Council by the deadline of noon on April 15.
One outcome of a larger plan
The rezoning for housing is just one outcome of the Home is Here housing strategy, which aims to create more affordable housing in Calgary.
However, the housing strategy and its outcomes are not easily digestible for average Calgarians. In an effort to break down the information included in the Home is Here strategy, three fourth-year journalism students undertook a multimedia project to dissect the strategy and its effects on homeowners, renters and the unhoused.
Is Home Here? explores the larger picture of how Calgarians can expect the city to change in response to the City of Calgary’s housing strategy – including what rezoning means for local neighbourhoods.
