Calgary council to vote on streamlining process to approve some new communities

City council will discuss fast-tracking the process to approve growth applications for new communities in Calgary that don't require new capital investments from the city.

Council currently only approves new communities once per year, during fall budget adjustments. But the Infrastructure and Planning Committee voted on Wednesday to bring a proposal before council that would allow the city to approve growth applications for new communities any time of year, as long as the community doesn't require new capital investments for costs like utilities or emergency services.

Given the growth Calgary has experienced in the last few years that has put a strain on its housing supply, Mayor Jyoti Gondek argued it's important for the city to expedite its process to consider growth applications outside of council's annual budget cycle.

"The reality is we are a growing city, we are a city that's attractive to people. We need to provide housing to those folks," said Gondek.

"There are times you have to look at making decisions that are outside of the budget cycle in the best interest of the people you serve. And when we are trying to deliver on housing, sometimes those ideas need to come forward ahead of the budget cycle."

For some new communities, no capital investment is needed because it may be covered by developers, or existing infrastructure from other nearby communities may be available. For eligible growth applications, only operating costs would be required.

Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp supported the move, and said council should see an annual report showing the total impact of this change on the city, that shows how much money the city paid up front through operating costs, compared to the revenue generated through property taxes for new households.

If the proposal is approved, administration is also recommending that council reconsider and move forward on six growth applications that were previously directed to be considered this November.

The growth applications that would be immediately considered are two in the Glacier Ridge community, South Belvedere Village, Stoneyview, Haskayne Damkar Highfield, and the east portion of Esker Valley and the Woodlands.

Sharp said that if these applications are approved, developers can apply for necessary permits without a need for more phases and design.

"These applications are shovel-ready. And so, we talk about removing red tape, this is an opportunity to remove red tape," said Sharp.

With the six new community applications that would immediately be up for approval by council, administration is also suggesting that council approve a tax-supported budget increase of $140,000 for Calgary Transit beginning next year to provide transportation to these areas.

The risks council faces in making this change is the decision to fund communities before budget discussions could limit the city's flexibility to fund other priorities in its November budget, and could encourage other out-of-budget requests in other areas.

BILD Calgary CEO Brian Hahn said he supports the move, because under the current system, developers risk losing an entire construction season before they can move forward with new communities.

"If those things could move forward today, then they would be rolling in terms of being in construction this year and have a chance to have houses on them next year," Hahn said.