Summary#

The Infrastructure and Planning Committee voted to recommend that Council approve the Belvedere Anthem Growth Application, GA2026-010, in Community A of the Belvedere Area Structure Plan, Ward 9. Council has not yet made the decision. City staff say the goal is to enable growth, including 1,110 homes.

• The recommendation would have City staff include about $0.23 million in operating funding in the 2028 budget adjustments.
• It would direct staff to consider any future capital and operating investments for this application when prioritizing future budgets. That is not a commitment to fund those investments.
• City staff say Phase 1 of the MAX Purple bus rapid transit extension is needed in the 2027–2030 budget period. If it is not funded, development in this and previously approved areas could be delayed.
• The growth area would rely on previously approved infrastructure, including planned sanitary and stormwater work. Further development approvals would still be needed.

What it means for you#

• Calgarians: If Council approves the recommendation and growth proceeds, the application would enable 1,110 homes in Belvedere. It does not itself approve individual home projects or guarantee when homes will be built.
• City taxpayers: The recommendation directs staff to include operating funding in the 2028 budget adjustments. Future capital and operating needs would be considered through later budget priorities.
• Nearby residents and future residents: City staff say the area is near East Hills Shopping Centre and the 17 Avenue SE transit corridor, but farther than 3 kilometres from the nearest existing school and farther than 5 kilometres from the nearest recreation facility and library.
• Council: The Infrastructure and Planning Committee’s 7–2 vote was a recommendation to Council, not final approval. Councillors Atkinson and Schmidt voted against it.

Money#

City staff estimate operating funding of about $0.23 million in the 2028 budget adjustments, rising to about $0.35 million by final buildout.

• City staff estimate $415.40 million in future capital investment for ongoing growth in the Belvedere Area Structure Plan, including—but not only—this application.
• At full buildout, staff estimate $2.6 million in annual revenue and $35.7 million in levies.
• Staff say no new near-term capital funding is required for this application because it can use previously approved investments. They identify Phase 1 of the MAX Purple BRT as needed in the 2027–2030 budget period.
• The materials give no cost estimate for that BRT phase alone.

What is unclear#

• Whether Council will approve the committee’s recommendation.
• Whether the 2028 operating funding or Phase 1 of the MAX Purple BRT will be funded in the relevant budget.
• When the planned sanitary and stormwater infrastructure will be delivered; delays could affect development.
• The identity of the application’s applicant and the details of the later land-use and outline-plan approvals are not provided here.
• One member of the public spoke, but the minutes provided do not record what they said.

Case for#

• City staff say the application is beside areas already approved and actively developing, and would add 1,110 homes in an area with access to East Hills Shopping Centre and the 17 Avenue SE transit corridor.
• Staff say the area can initially use previously approved infrastructure, with no new near-term capital investment required for this application.
• Staff estimate property tax and franchise-fee revenue within the growth area would cover its incremental operating costs by 2028.
• Staff say the future MAX Purple BRT would offer more travel choices and support lower-emissions travel.

Case against#

• City staff identify $415.40 million in future capital investment for ongoing Belvedere growth, including this application, and say new communities create long-term maintenance and lifecycle costs as well.
• Staff say Calgary already has seven to nine years of serviced land supply, above the Municipal Development Plan target of three to five years. The application would add one year of land supply in the East Sector.
• Staff identify risks if sanitary or stormwater work is delayed, or if Phase 1 of the MAX Purple BRT is not funded; development could be delayed.
• Councillors Atkinson and Schmidt voted against the recommendation. The materials do not state their reasons.