Opinion: As rezoning hearing drags on, misinformation abounds

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Saying something over and over again doesn’t make it true.

As the public hearing for the rezoning threatens to stretch into a third week, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find new information in what is presented. What’s more, much of what is repeated is simply not true.

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Each presenter has five minutes to present their arguments for or against. Aside from overt racism or references to beheadings, the mayor has been quite lenient in allowing people to have their say. I think it’s worth clearing up some of the misconceptions I’ve heard so far.

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Here are the facts.

While suburbs flatten fragile ecosystems at our city limits, rezoning keeps homes within our built environment. Experts agree that rezoning is one of the greenest planning decisions we can make.

Despite being a provincial responsibility, the The city spends millions on affordable housing.. Rezoning helps make affordable housing more successful by adding the missing middle supply.

He Housing Affordability Task Force was convened long before the Trudeau government’s Housing Acceleration Fund began.

Even if the value of the land increases slightly (and this is questionable), four new houses on that land will each be cheaper than a single or duplex.

According to independent and city estimates, the rezoning will result in at most three out of every 100 plots in any given community will be converted to townhouses in the next 10 years. This is not a radical change or anything at all.

Adding supply to the market increases rental vacancy rates, and this leads to lower rents. Fair look at austin, texas, for a recent example. This, in turn, can reduce homelessness and is why the rezoning is supported by organizations like the Drop-In Center.

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Rezoning is one of many things we must do to address the housing shortage. It is one of 98 stocks listed in Calgary’s housing strategy.

Although what some councilors have been claiming, this hearing will not end all public hearings. It also won’t put an end to public hearings on land use.

And finally – and I can’t believe I have to say this – allowing individuals more freedom in what they build on their property is not a form of Marxism.

Many days ago, at the beginning of this marathon, the administration gave a presentation on the rezoning case. In that presentation, they directly address many of the false claims that have been made in the intervening hours. I suggest you listen to it.

This hearing will continue for a while yet, and if you haven’t spoken yet you can sign up until the end.

But whether you’re for or against, stick to the facts.

Willem Klumpenhouwer is co-founder of More Neighbors Calgary.

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