The sun is beginning to set on Calgary’s citywide rezoning public hearing, as questions of administration were done early Monday evening, and they got to churning through amendments.

The public hearing began its fourth week on May 13, starting with questions and then getting into the land-use sausage making.  

But the first question of the day came from Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot, regarding a legal opinion that was circulated regarding alleged ‘bias’ that one councillor may have on the topic.  He was referring to a letter circulated by Scott Rusty Miller, that alleged to have evidence that Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra was biased and should recuse himself from the citywide rezoning debate.

It suggested that Coun. Carra engaged in activities with a group called More Neighbours Calgary, to train them to speak at the public submission portion of the public hearing.

“There are lots of things where, from my perspective, members of council should consider their position, including owning multiple properties, in the abundance of caution if it can be seen that you stand to gain or lose from a decision,” Chabot said.

Coun. Carra defended his involvement with the group. He said he would provide public hearing advice to anyone in the community.

“I was absolutely invited to speak to a group, More Neighbours Calgary, to give them some insights on how best to present to council,” he said.

“Anybody who asked me to do that I will do. I consider it part of my job.”

He said there were basics that he would provide to any group who asked for anyone looking for public hearing training.

Where are we at now?

To start, there were three failed attempts to stop the citywide rezoning, on vote splits that were either 6-9 or 7-8 against. That’s a harbinger of what’s to come, aside from massaging the main motion with amendments.

Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian opened on the main citywide rezoning motion to make R-CG the base residential zoning in Calgary.

“I think when leaders are at their best, they do two things. They think long-term, and they lead with values,” she said.

She said single-family zoning worked well for the city for the prior 50 years, but Calgary has to look at the next 50 to 100 years. They have to consider how people are living, and want to live, including family size.

“When you think about when Calgary has gotten in trouble before, and its past throughout its history, it’s when we actually lack diversity when we open ourselves up for huge exposure,” Coun. Mian said.

“Our downtown core and overbuilding one type of office space is actually a really good example of that.

“This is a tempered, incremental but necessary next chapter of our city building.”

Then there was a series of amendments or deferrals, with most defeated. That is, until one from Ward 12 Coun. Evan Spencer looked at more robust information and engagement during the development permit process (the Popowich Clause).  One of the biggest issues heard from citizens was that the removal of the land-use public hearing removed their voice from the process.

“That exchange with Miss Popowich was hard. It hurt. It hurts, and to know that in the middle of this evolution of our city, that there are members in our community that are unfortunately and regrettably experiencing some of the worst outcomes in a sort of crescendo and have to live with that,” he said.

Councillors finished up Monday night with a handful of amendments still left to consider before a final vote.