Achi news desk-
Three days into Calgary’s public hearing on a proposed rezoning and nearly 200 speakers later, some councilors say there’s a clear pattern in what they’re hearing from people who are presenting.
“Typically younger Calgarians under 50 come out in support (of proposed general rezoning) and we’re seeing a lot of older Calgarians, homeowners over 50, speaking out,” said Jasmine Mian, ward councilor 3. .
“I think it’s because they’ve had very different life experiences with the housing market. And usually younger people want to see change and demand that we take action,” he said.
Panels of young people, including several representing post-secondary students, came to City Hall on Wednesday to voice their support for reconnecting with R-CG.
“Young people are denied agency over housing choices and subsequently the direction of our lives,” said Hanna Crisostomo, a University of Calgary student and representative with the Urban Calgary Student Association.
Crisostomo presented the council with a letter signed by 146 students who supported universal rezoning.
“The decision to embrace change will mean the difference between building a resilient city for the future, or continuing down the path where one in five Calgarians cannot afford their housing,” he said.
MOST AGAINST
Still, the vast majority of feedback the city has received on the rezoning issue has been opposition. Speaker after speaker lined up Wednesday to call on the council to vote down blanket rezoning, citing concerns about the impact it could have on community character and parking.
“Older people tend to want to move to quieter communities – single-family residential, perhaps with fewer neighbours,” said Cllr. Andre Chabot.
“But if you’re younger and raising a young family, you want to be in higher density,” he added.
It will still be days before the council begins its debate and presents amendments over proposed changes. Councilors say they will need to try to find a balance as he tries to implement his housing strategy.
Statistics from the city administration estimate that one in five Calgarians struggle with housing affordability and the upgrade, if passed, could add about 1,500 homes a year by streamlining the process.
“I look at what we are doing to ensure that housing is in good supply for everyone in our city, not only at the moment, but well into the future,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
