'Enough work hasn't yet been done': 42 community association representatives meet with Gondek over rezoning

Dozens of Community Association representatives sat down with Mayor Jyoti Gondek Saturday morning to express their concern about proposed zoning changes.

Dozens of Community Association representatives sat down with Mayor Jyoti Gondek Saturday morning to express their concern about proposed zoning changes.

If passed, Calgary's base zoning district would be changed to R-CG, a classification that allows for row homes and duplexes to be built in residential zones.

Jon Himmens, President of the Lakeview Association, described the mood in the meeting with the mayor as “serious.”

“Our community associations are concerned about blanket rezoning and the impact it's going to have on the community,” said Himmens. “It's taking away controls that are in place, and we're concerned that it could lead to uncontrolled building.”

“We're concerned that builders will come to our great city and not be respectful of our history of areas and what we're trying to achieve," he continued. "We want to protect green spaces, roads, infrastructure, we just feel that enough work hasn't yet been done for the city to pass any blanket rezoning changes.”

Himmens said 53 community associations penned a letter to the mayor and council earlier this week, voicing concerns over the proposed rezoning bylaw. 

Gondek reached out shortly after to organize the Saturday meeting, which started at 11 a.m. and lasted 90 minutes.