Public hearing focuses on exempting rowhouse development permits in new Calgary communities

Developers want the city to consider a change to a bylaw to make it easier to build rowhomes in new communities.

A public hearing at Calgary city council will focus on exempting rowhouse development permits in new communities.

In May 2024, council narrowly voted in favour of moving forward with the change to allow for more density in residential areas.

Over 100 hours, 736 people spoke to council during the public hearing on the issue, with nearly 70 per cent of those who spoke against blanket rezoning.

When this was approved, administration was directed to bring forward amendments to the Land Use Bylaw that would speed up the approval process for rowhouses in new communities by removing the requirement for a development permit.

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Currently, rowhouse developments in new communities still require a permit but single and semi-detached homes do not.

To be exempt from a development permit, a rowhouse must meet the following criteria:

• align to all rules in the bylaw;
• be a permitted use in the developing area;
• maximum of one dwelling unit per parcel and parcel is not a bare land unit;
• where there is a rear lane, all parking must be accessed from the lane;
• be subject to an active development agreement; and
• have each lot drain direction to the street and lane or provide a swale and overland drainage easement.

BILD Calgary, Mattamy Homes, Rohit Homes and Baywest Homes are just some of the companies in favour of this change.

In a letter to city council, BILD Calgary says, “Removing the requirement for a developing permit will eliminate a significant barrier to constructing rowhomes in new, developing communities.”

“The time and cost associated with the development permit process has been prohibitive, often discouraging developers and builders from pursuing this housing form.”

These proposed amendments align with the City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy, approved in 2023, specifically supporting the outcome of amending and streamlining planning policy and process to allow for diverse housing.