Calgary city council voted Tuesday to delay the rollout of the Calgary Plan, the city's long-term growth management blueprint, for further public consultation. The decision came during a day-long strategic meeting, with councillors directing administration to return in January with a 'what we heard' report before the final phase of engagement.
Council Opts for Caution
Council voted 13-2 to postpone the plan, with Couns. Rob Ward and Landon Johnston dissenting. Mayor Jeromy Farkas emphasized the importance of getting it right, stating, 'This is a decision that's going to outlast likely all of us on today's council. We don't want to repeat the same mistakes that the previous council did through blanket rezoning.' He added, 'In this case, it's a matter of measuring twice and cutting once.'
Background of the Calgary Plan
The Calgary Plan, in development since 2023, is intended to become the city's highest-level planning document, guiding land use and transportation policies for the next 25 years. The 96-page blueprint would replace and consolidate the existing Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and the Calgary Transportation Plan. Originally slated for rollout in 2025, the previous council postponed it to this year, with then-mayor Jyoti Gondek citing the need for more time to digest its implications.
Public Engagement and Content
Kathy Davies Murphy, the city's director of regional planning, told council that the document has undergone three iterations since 2023, with feedback from over 47,900 Calgarians and more than 180 organizations, facilitated through 175 events and five phases of engagement. The plan aims to enable diverse housing options, improve transportation connectivity, and enhance access to nature, parks, and recreation amenities to maintain Calgary's livability.
While administration sought to bring a finalized version by December this year, councillors opted to slow the timeline to ensure thorough public input. The delay reflects a cautious approach to avoid repeating past planning controversies.
