Summary#

Council approved the land-use decision for 11 and 19 Erin Woods Drive SE in Ward 9 on July 21, 2026. It passed third reading of two bylaws: one amending the East Calgary International Avenue Communities Local Area Plan, and one changing the site’s land-use districts. City staff say the goal is to allow street-oriented mixed-use development, including affordable housing.

• The 0.13-hectare site was redesignated from R-CG and M-CGd30 to MU-1f2.5h20.
• The new district allows a maximum building height of 20 metres, or up to five storeys, according to the staff report.
• The vote was unanimous: 15 to 0.

What it means for you#

• People seeking housing: The land-use change allows a mixed-use development, and the applicant’s stated plan is a five-storey, 24-unit housing project for the Indigenous community. That project is not yet approved.
• Nearby residents: The land-use rules for the site have changed. The development permit for a proposed multi-residential project is still under review; the decision does not approve the building itself.
• City taxpayers: City staff reported no anticipated financial impact from the application.

Money#

City staff reported no anticipated financial impact; the materials give no cost estimate.

• The materials do not state the project’s cost or how it would be funded.

What is unclear#

• The supplied materials do not explain the specific policy or map changes made to the Local Area Plan.
• The affordable-housing terms are not stated, including how affordability would be defined or how many units would be affordable.
• The development permit is still under review. Its final design and how concerns about parking, waste, traffic and pedestrian safety will be addressed are not yet known.

Case for#

• City staff say the change fits the area plans and allows a street-oriented development that can consider the surrounding context. They say detailed design will be reviewed at the development-permit stage.
• City staff say the project could add affordable housing and make more efficient use of land and existing infrastructure. The applicant’s proposal is for 24 units.
• The City received 33 support letters, including support for the height and number of units, affordable housing, and the organization’s continued presence in the community. The Erin Woods Community Association also supported the application.

Case against#

• The City received 28 opposition letters. They raised concerns about waste and recycling space, building height and density, and the concentration of affordable housing in Erin Woods.
• Opponents also raised concerns about pedestrian safety near a playground zone, parking, traffic and loss of on-street parking. The materials do not show how these concerns will be resolved in the final design.