Latest news with #SonyaSharp
Calgary Herald
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Some Calgary councillors want to 'rein in city hall overreach'
A cohort of Calgary city councillors say they want to clamp down on city hall's tendency to fund programs and services that fall outside of the municipality's jurisdiction. Article content Councillors representing the Communities First political party — a caucus that includes Sonya Sharp, Andre Chabot, Dan McLean and Terry Wong — are bringing a notice of motion to Tuesday's executive committee meeting that asks the city to develop a comprehensive chart of government responsibilities for key policy and service areas, and to clearly show which functions are municipal, provincial, federal or a shared responsibility. Article content Article content Article content Calgary's mayor criticized the proposal, which calls for the chart to be published on the city's website and social media channels by July 4, as 'electioneering.' Article content Article content Sharp said the notice of motion stems from council decisions she argued shouldn't have been made. She cited last year's single-use items bylaw — which council voted to scrap two weeks after it was implemented, following public backlash — and a councillor's proposal to advocate allowing non-citizens with permanent residency status to vote in Calgary's municipal elections. Article content 'Reports like the bag bylaw, cancelling fireworks, non-(citizen) voting . . . all that is distraction from focusing on the things that matter to Calgarians,' she said. Article content Sharp said she's wanted to bring this motion forward since council's approval of the 2025 budget last November, which resulted in an average 5.5 per cent property tax hike for households. She argued that part of the reason property taxes keep going up is because city hall spends $135 million a year on tax-funded services that fall outside its jurisdiction, as outlined in the Municipal Government Act. Article content Article content Article content 'This notice of motion isn't saying we're going to go and cut any of that funding,' she said. 'What we're saying in general is, when administration brings a report back to council, it needs to identify if we're playing the lead role. Is it a core city service? Are we advocating to the province, or are we supporting the province in advocating to the federal government?' Article content The motion would also require all council and committee reports to include a 'clear jurisdictional label' indicating whether the item is a core municipal responsibility, a shared responsibility with other orders of government or if it falls outside the city's responsibility. Article content Chabot, who often points out during council debates when something is or isn't under municipal purview, said the motion would put those conversations in 'black and white.'
Calgary Herald
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Councillors' notice of motion aims to 'rein in city hall overreach'
A cohort of Calgary city councillors say they want to clamp down on city hall's tendency to fund programs and services that fall outside of the municipality's jurisdiction. Article content Councillors representing the Communities First political party — a caucus that includes Sonya Sharp, Andre Chabot, Dan McLean and Terry Wong — are bringing a notice of motion to Tuesday's executive committee meeting that asks the city to develop a comprehensive chart of government responsibilities for key policy and service areas, and to clearly show which functions are municipal, provincial, federal, or a shared responsibility. Article content Article content Article content Calgary's mayor criticized the proposal, which calls for the chart to be published on the city's website and social media channels by July 4, as 'electioneering.' Article content Article content Sharp said the notice of motion stems from council decisions she argued shouldn't have been made. As examples, she cited last year's single-use items bylaw — which council voted to scrap two weeks after it was implemented, following public backlash — and a councillor's proposal to advocate allowing non-citizens with permanent residency status to vote in Calgary's municipal elections. Article content 'Reports like the bag bylaw, cancelling fireworks, non-(citizen) voting . . . all that is distraction from focusing on the things that matter to Calgarians,' she said. Article content Sharp said she's wanted to bring this motion forward since council's approval of the 2025 budget last November, which resulted in an average 5.5 per cent property tax hike for households. She argued that part of the reason why property taxes keep going up is because city hall spends $135 million a year on tax-funded services that fall outside its jurisdiction, as outlined in the Municipal Government Act. Article content Article content Article content 'This notice of motion isn't saying we're going to go and cut any of that funding,' she said. 'What we're saying in general is, when administration brings a report back to council, it needs to identify if we're playing the lead role. Is it a core city service? Are we advocating to the province, or are we supporting the province in advocating to the federal government?' Article content The motion would also require all council and committee reports to include a 'clear jurisdictional label' indicating whether the item is a core municipal responsibility, a shared responsibility with other orders of government, or if it falls outside the city's responsibility. Article content Chabot, who often points out during council debates when something is or isn't under municipal purview, said the motion would put those conversations in 'black and white.'
CBC
05-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Calgary council to vote on streamlining process to approve some new communities
City council will discuss fast-tracking the process to approve growth applications for new communities in Calgary that don't require new capital investments from the city. Council currently only approves new communities once per year, during fall budget adjustments. But the Infrastructure and Planning Committee voted on Wednesday to bring a proposal before council that would allow the city to approve growth applications for new communities any time of year, as long as the community doesn't require new capital investments for costs like utilities or emergency services. Given the growth Calgary has experienced in the last few years that has put a strain on its housing supply, Mayor Jyoti Gondek argued it's important for the city to expedite its process to consider growth applications outside of council's annual budget cycle. "The reality is we are a growing city, we are a city that's attractive to people. We need to provide housing to those folks," said Gondek. "There are times you have to look at making decisions that are outside of the budget cycle in the best interest of the people you serve. And when we are trying to deliver on housing, sometimes those ideas need to come forward ahead of the budget cycle." For some new communities, no capital investment is needed because it may be covered by developers, or existing infrastructure from other nearby communities may be available. For eligible growth applications, only operating costs would be required. Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp supported the move, and said council should see an annual report showing the total impact of this change on the city, that shows how much money the city paid up front through operating costs, compared to the revenue generated through property taxes for new households. If the proposal is approved, administration is also recommending that council reconsider and move forward on six growth applications that were previously directed to be considered this November. The growth applications that would be immediately considered are two in the Glacier Ridge community, South Belvedere Village, Stoneyview, Haskayne Damkar Highfield, and the east portion of Esker Valley and the Woodlands. Sharp said that if these applications are approved, developers can apply for necessary permits without a need for more phases and design. "These applications are shovel-ready. And so, we talk about removing red tape, this is an opportunity to remove red tape," said Sharp. With the six new community applications that would immediately be up for approval by council, administration is also suggesting that council approve a tax-supported budget increase of $140,000 for Calgary Transit beginning next year to provide transportation to these areas. The risks council faces in making this change is the decision to fund communities before budget discussions could limit the city's flexibility to fund other priorities in its November budget, and could encourage other out-of-budget requests in other areas. BILD Calgary CEO Brian Hahn said he supports the move, because under the current system, developers risk losing an entire construction season before they can move forward with new communities. "If those things could move forward today, then they would be rolling in terms of being in construction this year and have a chance to have houses on them next year," Hahn said.
Global News
05-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Calgary may speed up building new neighbourhoods if it doesn't require upfront costs
A city committee endorsed a move to fast-track approvals for new communities on Calgary's outskirts, but only if they don't require capital investments from the city. Currently, developers submit applications throughout the year to build new subdivisions, but a final decision from city council only comes once a year, during budget deliberations in November. According to city administration, this is because applications are reviewed to determine the capital costs required to enable construction, which could include roads, utilities and water, as well as emergency services like fire stations. However, city administration says some of the applications for new neighbourhoods only require operating investments for the city services and not new capital costs, as they leverage previously installed infrastructure. On Wednesday, the city's Infrastructure and Planning committee unanimously endorsed a proposal that would speed up approvals for new subdivisions, provided they only require operating costs. Story continues below advertisement 'We talk about removing red tape, and this is an opportunity to remove red tape,' said Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp, who chairs the committee. As part of the proposal, administration is also recommending city council approve six new subdivisions. View image in full screen The six new subdivisions the City of Calgary is recommending get fast-tracked as they only require operating funding. Courtesy: City of Calgary Operating costs, which are supported by property taxes, for the neighbourhoods are $140,000 per year to expand Calgary Transit service to the areas. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy But the city's report on the proposal warns council's approval of a new community commits the city to future long-term operating and capital investments 'as a community develops and services are provided to future residents.' Story continues below advertisement City administration estimates at full buildout, the six new subdivisions will require $3 million in tax-supported funding annually for city services. The communities will also eventually require $609 million of capital investment, with $189 million supported by taxes, $109 million coming from off-site levies and development fees, and $311 million coming from utilities to be repaid by user fees. 'When you look at full buildout you have to look at the return on investment and how much those houses and that area will bring money back into the city as revenue generation,' Sharp said when asked about the potential future costs. The move is getting support from the development industry with representatives from BILD Calgary Region noting the current process can create delays. 'It better aligns approvals with infrastructure readiness, reduces uncertainty for investors, and supports a more responsive approach to Calgary's growing housing needs,' Deborah Cooper with BILD Calgary told committee. 'That small shift helps manage costs and risk more effectively and supports a more reliable housing supply.' However, it follows a slew of spending commitments from city council outside of budget talks, including $20 million in surplus Enmax dividends for city facility upgrades, and $15 million to retrofit Calgary Transit buses with improved shields to protect operators. 'There are times that you have to look at making decisions that are outside of the budget cycle in the best interest of the people you serve,' Mayor Jyoti Gondek said. Story continues below advertisement 'When we are trying to deliver on housing, sometimes those ideas need to come forward ahead of a budget cycle.' The six new communities as well as proposed change to the approvals process will now go to city council as a whole for a final decision later this month.
Global News
31-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Council draws ire of Calgary developers after ‘housekeeping' land-use changes defeated
Two groups of developers are calling out Calgary city council after proposed 'housekeeping' changes to the city's land-use bylaw were defeated, and a move to reconsider the vote was also shot down. Global News has obtained two letters sent to city council on Thursday: one from the Calgary Inner City Builders Association (CICBA), and the other from a group of 18 high-rise developers. In its letter, CICBA noted its members are 'exceedingly disappointed and frustrated' with council's decision. 'The introduction of politics to administrative, housekeeping amendments is a dangerous exercise,' the letter read. 'It reduces our ability to deliver much-needed housing units and it erodes housing affordability across the city.' Earlier this month, city council was presented with 12 amendments to the city's land-use bylaw, which outlines the rules and regulations for development of land in Calgary within each zoning district. Story continues below advertisement The updates included updated language around rear setbacks, parcel coverage and garage rules, as well as the removal of requirements for mobility storage lockers, and the removal for rezoning and public hearing for child-care services in an existing building. The proposal also included a language change around the period for appeals, aligning it with the provincial rules. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy According to the city, the amendments 'streamline process, reduce timelines and costs for applicants, and focus on enabling housing and services for families,' and were done in consultation with the building industry. However, the changes were defeated in a tie vote with councillors Sean Chu, Sonya Sharp, Dan McLean, Jennifer Wyness, Andre Chabot, and Terry Wong voting against. 'My frustration is we have a bunch of people who talk about finding efficiencies, saving money, and creating partnerships with industry, and creating more affordable housing, but at every single turn they vote against that,' said Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Penner. Earlier this week, council then debated a motion to reconsider the vote on the land-use bylaw amendments, which required a two-thirds majority. However, that reconsideration vote was also defeated with councillors Sharp, McLean, Wyness, Chabot, and Wong voting against. 'It was pointed out to me by several members of council that had they been able to break apart the various housekeeping changes, they felt it would've been a better decision so we prepared that,' Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek told Global News. Story continues below advertisement 'Instead (of) letting that happen, enough members of council just turned it all down again.' In the other letter to councillors, the highrise developers noted they 'do not understand' why council would 'not at least support reconsideration through voting separately on each of the individual amendments,' asking councillors to once again reconsider. 'These types of amendments represent necessary and impactful incremental improvements to our shared planning and development system,' the letter read. 'These types of amendments result in reduced red tape and costs which can increase the supply and affordability of housing.' In an interview with Global News, McLean, who represents Ward 13, said he agreed with what he read in the letter, and does support some of the housekeeping amendments, but defended his decision to vote against the reconsideration. 'I think if we broke them apart one by one they would've all passed, and I didn't want them to all pass,' he said. 'Bring them back separate if you want them to pass.' Wong, the councillor for Ward 7, told Global News in a statement that he felt five of the updates were policy matters bundled into an omnibus vote, not housekeeping. 'I voted against the reconsideration as there was no official mechanism to 'straw vote' which amendments would be supported or rejected; thus I was not confident that an amended omnibus package could be achieved,' his statement read. Story continues below advertisement Wong said he is engaged in discussions to approve some of the 'less contentious amendments' during a council meeting in June.
