City approves housing-focused land-use bylaw changes

Summary#

Calgary City Council passed Bylaw 98D2026 at third reading on September 15, 2026. It changes the Direct Control land use rules for 0.73 hectares at 220 Dieppe Drive SW in Currie Barracks, Ward 8, to allow mixed-use development; the City staff report says the goal is to support housing choices and the area’s approved development plan.

  • The site’s rules are replaced with a new Direct Control district.
  • The new rules allow some building projections into setback areas, remove certain rules about the height of floors closest to the ground, and set a maximum building height of eight storeys.
  • The report says permitted uses, density, parking and other requirements do not change.
  • A separate application for a 235-unit building is under review; this land use decision does not approve that building.

What it means for you#

  • People living nearby: The land use rules now allow the changes described above. City staff say the district includes a step-back rule intended to respond to nearby development. The report does not give the rule’s detailed measurements.
  • The landowner and developer: The new rules allow more flexibility for building design on the site. A development permit is still needed for the proposed building.
  • Other Calgarians: The decision does not itself approve 235 homes or set a construction date.

Money#

City staff report no anticipated financial impact.

  • The materials give no cost estimate for the landowner or developer.

What is unclear#

  • The detailed text of the new district’s rules is not included in the supplied material.
  • The development permit application for the 235-unit building remains under review; its outcome and timing are unknown.
  • The minutes say Councillor Kelly seconded the main motion but also list Kelly as voting against it.

Case for#

  • City staff say the site is near services, amenities and transit, and that the change supports housing choices and makes use of existing infrastructure.
  • The Rutland Park Community Association conditionally supported allowing below-grade projections into setbacks and removing some building-design rules. It opposed changes to uses, height, density or parking; staff say those were not changed.
  • City staff say the maximum height was reduced and a step-back rule added in response to planning concerns.

Case against#

  • Three public letters opposed the change, raising concerns about building height, scale and massing, and shadow impacts.
  • The main motion carried 13–2; Councillors Ward and Kelly are recorded as voting against. The minutes do not give their reasons.

Votes

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.2 (Land Use Amendment in Currie Barracks (Ward 8) at 220 Dieppe Drive SW, LOC2026-0043, CPC2026-0600): That with respect to Report CPC2026-0600, the following be adopted: That Council give three readings to Proposed Bylaw 98D2026 for the redesignation of 0.73 hectares ± (1.8 acres ±) located at 220 Dieppe Drive SW (Plan 2311868, Block 12, Lot 1) from Direct Control (DC) District to Direct Control (DC) District to accommodate mixed use development, with guidelines (Attachment 2).

For (87%)
Against (13%)

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.2 (Land Use Amendment in Currie Barracks (Ward 8) at 220 Dieppe Drive SW, LOC2026-0043, CPC2026-0600): That Bylaw 98D2026 be introduced and read a first time.

For (100%)

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.2 (Land Use Amendment in Currie Barracks (Ward 8) at 220 Dieppe Drive SW, LOC2026-0043, CPC2026-0600): That Bylaw 98D2026 be read a second time.

For (100%)

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.2 (Land Use Amendment in Currie Barracks (Ward 8) at 220 Dieppe Drive SW, LOC2026-0043, CPC2026-0600): That Bylaw 98D2026 be read a third time.

For (100%)