SANDSTONE CITY
SUITE SUPPORT
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SECONDARY SUITES A6
DONNA BALZER A11
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HOW SUITE IT ISN’T Council votes 8 – 7 against secondary suite reform
KELSEY HIPKIN, Reporter/Photographer
KELSEY HIPKIN
reporter/photographer
‘‘I
f this fails today, we’re done … I’m done, frankly.” So was the sentiment of Mayor Naheed Nenshi earlier this week prior to council voting 8-7 against a reform plan for secondary suites in the city. The mayor, expressing frustration at the tedious talks, followed up by saying if secondary suites showed up in council again, he’d leave the room until it came time to vote.
Ward 7 Coun. Druh Farrell, meanwhile, likened the entire process to “giving birth to a chair.” What proponents did get from council’s raucous debate is another report on possible next steps, which will be ready by next spring. Among the options will be to allow suites next to major transit stops, limit suites to four central wards, a licensing system for suite owners and a citywide plebiscite on the issue. The framework initially presented to council by senior special projects officer Cliff de Jong would have established a discretionary development permit process for suites where they
SINGLE FAMILY
are currently not allowed, as well as furthered public consultation with Calgarians to fully develop regulations moving forward. If it had been endorsed, the framework looked to protect the safety of tenants, ensure neighbourhood consultation was part of the development review, increase diversity of housing choices, establish requirements for secondary and backyard suites and provide a consistent approach to regulation. It would also have meant people applying for suites could do so through administration instead of having to appear before council, with a licensing
2027 1769
EVENT LISTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6
1462
MORTGAGE RATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6
CREB® STAFF
974
1181
1398
1477
1553
1736
1699 1197
1230
1336
1209
1354
1517
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1638
1766 1611 1480
Save the “Big H”
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745 st
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Lee Edwards 403-540-0540
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COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A5
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Coun. Peter Demong passed 12-3 for the aforementioned licence program to cover all dwellings. The City is currently on pace to approve 150 suites this year.
NEWS BRIEFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3
*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity.
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Preceding the Dec. 15 council vote on secondary suites, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi addressed the business community on the importance of showing their support for affordable housing in the city.
COMPOSITE CONTENTS HOUSE PRICE INDEX FALLS IN CALGARY
MLS® NUMBER OF UNITS SOLD* NOV ‘12 – NOV ‘14
1006
program, similar to having a business in your home would take effect. “If we’re going to have some sort of regime to license secondary suites, it shouldn’t be exclusive to R1 and R1C zones,” said Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot, who made an appearance at a Calgary Chamber of Commerce event Dec. 12 in support of suites only to argue that Calgary had “240 years’ worth” of serviced land supply for secondary suites. Currently, more than 53 per cent of homes in the city are zoned RC1 or R1, meaning secondary suites are not allowed. An amendment by Ward 14
algary home prices remained relatively unchanged in November compared to October, decreasing for the first time this year by 0.2 per cent according to Teranet’s National Composite House Price Index.
MARKET A3
MORTGAGE RATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 COMMERCIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 OPEN HOUSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B11 @crebnow
Set in the heart of some of the most scenic countryside in Alberta
/crebnow
crebnow.com
$1,499,000
This beautiful log home takes full advantage of its setting, with a verandah spanning the front of the home, a deck spanning the back, and a prow off the great room with two and a half storey windows leading up to the centre vault, and looking out to the meadow that opens up on this side. There are also 2 private balconies off the upper level, as well as an upper loft that takes advantage of the prow windows. With over 5500 sq. ft. on 3 levels, the rooms are spacious - even all of the 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. Hardwood floors cover the main living areas. The kitchen features a large centre island, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. The bright walkout level with in-floor heating has a large recreation area, as well as 2 bedrooms and a flex area that has been roughed-in as a summer kitchen. This home offers privacy, space, a great floor plan, and spectacular views. MLS®C3643897
CANYON CREEK
lee@braggcreekrealestate.com