What a rezoning does
Every property is assigned a land use district (Calgary calls this a land use designation; other municipalities call it a zone). That district sets what uses are allowed, how many units you can build, how tall a building can be and how much of the lot it can cover. If your plans do not fit the current district, the land use bylaw has to be amended. That amendment is a rezoning, also called a land use redesignation.
A rezoning is decided by council after a public hearing, so it is part technical exercise and part persuasion. Planning staff, the ward councillor, neighbours and the community association all have a voice. A strong application anticipates each of them.
How CITYTREND helps
- Assess the site against the municipal development plan, local area plans and current policy to confirm the rezoning is realistic before you spend money on it.
- Recommend the land use district that best fits your project and leaves room for the future.
- Prepare the application, planning rationale and supporting materials.
- Lead conversations with planners, the councillor's office and the community association.
- Coordinate the technical team, such as transportation, servicing and environmental consultants, when studies are required.
- Respond to circulation comments and represent you at the public hearing.
Seven steps to a successful rezoning
- Choose the right property. Start with a clear picture of the finished project. Knowing the end goal lets the team spot problems before they become expensive.
- Learn the community. Every neighbourhood has its own vision for how it should grow. A proposal that fits local aspirations earns local support.
- Identify the issues early. Traffic, parking, shadowing and noise will come up. The sooner they are named, the easier they are to solve.
- Understand the local process. Every municipality runs rezonings differently. A clear work program built around that process keeps the file moving.
- Communicate relentlessly. Talk to the planning department, the councillor, the neighbours and the community association. Do not avoid the hard conversations.
- Build a strong team. Rezoning is multidisciplinary. The right consultants, coordinated well, reduce your risk.
- Be patient. Public processes take time. Good preparation shortens it, but it never disappears.
CITYTREND has completed rezonings in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, and has refined a process that reduces both the risk and the time involved.
Tell us about your project and we will send you a work program and fee estimate at no charge.