RC-G's public hearing in Calgary concluded on Monday. What's next? – Calgary

Calgary City Council held its final panel hearing on the redistricting bill Monday night in a historic public hearing, ending 12 days of presentations.

The council voted 8-7 in favor of the 10th Ward proposal. Andre Chabot said the council will return Thursday to hear the results of the public hearing at City Hall.

However, debate and administrative questions are not expected to begin until Monday, May 13.

Gondek previously told Global News that he believed the debate could last two to three days.

“Anytime we go into something that has a lot of interest from the community and the council, it's hard to predict where the conversation will go,” he said.

The proposed bylaw is one of about 80 proposals in the City of Calgary's housing strategy that would change the primary residential zoning district to RC-G instead of RC-1 or RC-2 zones.

Currently, most residential areas are zoned to allow only single-family homes by default.

RC-G zoning allows for single-family homes and duplexes, triplexes and townhouses. Construction of apartment buildings is not permitted in RC-G areas.

By changing the primary residential zoning district to RC-G, the city will make it easier to build a variety of homes, increasing housing options for all Calgarians and improving housing affordability in the city.

According to the City of Calgary's website, the rezoning will also increase transit options, such as active and public transportation systems.

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The website also said the rezoning would help lower property taxes because the cost of maintaining utilities and roads would be shared among the public.

Opponents of the law argued that by adding duplexes, triplexes and townhouses, the council would introduce too much density into neighborhoods zoned RC-1, changing their character.

Others said they weren't sure if rezoning would affect housing prices, saying developers and landlords would charge higher rents for new construction.

Many of those who opposed the law said they were being disenfranchised and would not listen to the city council. However, the city said public hearings for building permits will continue even if the law is passed.

Many organizations that support and provide resources for vulnerable Calgarians have urged council to pass the bill, saying it could speed up the process of developing non-market housing. Representatives also said many low-income residents could not attend the public hearing because they could not afford to leave their jobs.

Representatives from the Drop-In Centre, YWCA Calgary and Momentum Calgary asked council to vote in favor of the bill.

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