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Published May 4, 2024 • Last updated 2 hours ago • Reading time 2 minutes
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Public hearings on the rezoning proposal continue for a second week at City Hall.Photo by Gavin Young/Postmedia Network
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Saying something over and over again doesn't make it true.
With zoning review public hearings threatening to stretch into three weeks, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find new information from what's being presented. Moreover, most of what is repeated is not true.
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Each presenter will have 5 minutes to argue for or against the presentation. Other than overt racism and references to beheadings, the mayor was fairly lenient in letting people speak their mind. I think it's worth clearing up some of the misconceptions I've heard.
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This is a fact.
While suburbs smooth out fragile ecosystems at the edges of cities, zoning keeps housing within the built environment. Experts agree that rezoning is one of the greenest planning decisions we can make.
Despite the state's responsibility, the city is spending millions of dollars on affordable housing. Zoning helps make affordable housing more successful by adding missing intermediate supply.
The Housing Affordability Task Force was convened well before the Trudeau government's Housing Acceleration Fund was launched.
Even if land prices rose slightly (which is questionable), each of the four new homes built on that land would be cheaper than a single-family home or duplex.
Based on the city and its own estimates, rezoning would result in at most three out of every 100 lots in any given community being converted to row homes over the next 10 years. This isn't a big change or anything.
Increased supply to the market increases rental vacancy rates, leading to lower rents. Take Austin, Texas, as a recent example. Organizations like the Drop-In Center are supporting zoning changes because this could reduce homelessness.
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Rezoning is one of the many things we must do to address the housing shortage. This is one of 98 actions listed in Calgary's housing strategy.
in spite of What some members of Congress are claiming, This hearing does not end all hearings. Public hearings on land use will also not end.
And finally, I can't believe I have to say this, but allowing individuals more freedom in what they build on their property is not a form of Marxism.
Days ago, at the start of this marathon, the administration gave a presentation on the rezoning case. In their presentation, they directly address many of the false claims made during this time. I highly recommend giving it a listen.
This hearing will continue for some time, but you can participate until the end even if you have not yet spoken.
But whether you agree or disagree, stick to the facts.
Willem Krumpenhauer is the co-founder of More Neighbors Calgary.
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