Summary#

Calgary City Council passed two bylaws at third reading on July 21, 2026: one amending the Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan and one changing the land-use rules for 1313 Centre Street SW in Beltline, Ward 8. The stated goal is to allow more density while conserving the George C. Cushing Residence, a municipal historic resource.

• The site’s land use changes from Direct Control (DC) District to a new DC District with guidelines, to allow mixed-use development and increased density tied to restoration of the historic residence.
• The plan amendment makes restoration of a municipal historic resource a way to earn bonus density on this site.
• The owner, 2328821 Alberta Ltd., may seek a development permit, but no permit has been submitted. This decision does not approve a specific building.
• The final readings passed 14 to 0. No members voted against.

What it means for you#

• Owner and future developer: The new land-use rules allow a proposal with more density if the historic residence is restored. The building design, number of homes and on-site parking remain for a later development-permit review.
• Nearby residents: The decision permits a future redevelopment, but does not settle its height, unit count, parking or detailed design.
• General public: The site is at 13 Avenue SW and Centre Street S. The residence is already legally protected as a municipal historic resource.

Money#

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

• The decision does not set a fee, grant or payment.
• Any costs of restoration or future development are not stated in the available material.

What is unclear#

• The supplied material does not give the full text of the amended plan or the new DC guidelines, so their detailed limits cannot be summarized here.
• No development permit has been filed. The future building’s height, design, number of homes and parking are not yet decided.
• One person spoke at the public hearing, but the available minutes do not say what they said.

Case for#

• City staff say the change can enable more housing and commercial space while conserving and reusing the George C. Cushing Residence.
• City staff say the proposal fits the applicable planning policies and could make more efficient use of existing land, infrastructure and services.
• Two public letters supported the proposal: one cited reuse of the historic building; another supported replacing a parking lot with housing.

Case against#

• Three public letters opposed the proposal, raising concerns about traffic and parking, possible building height and shadowing of the historic residence, and reduced sunlight and privacy for nearby apartments.
• A possible trade-off is that the decision enables increased density before the public knows the specific building design, unit count or parking plan; those details are to be reviewed at the development-permit stage.