The Transit Oriented Development Strategy (IP2024-1225) is a confidential planning document, outlining the City of Calgary’s strategy to encourage transit-oriented development across several underutilized LRT stations. Though specifics are unknown, it commits $20 million dollars in new capital funding to implement public realm and infrastructure improvements in selected areas.
The strategy was introduced to the Infrastructure and Planning Committee on November 6, 2024 for consideration ahead of 2024 Mid-cycle Adjustments. It failed to receive Committee recommendation with 5 councillors voting for, and 5 voting against.[1]
This decision was immediately criticized by housing and transit advocates on social media, who characterized it as an “anti-housing decision”.[2]
On November 21, Councillors Dan McLean and Andre Chabot moved an amendment to remove the strategy’s funding from the 2024 municipal budget, including the $2.5 million in planning costs associated with TOD.
The motion failed 4-11 with Councillors McLean, Chabot, Wyness, and Chu voting to scrap the capital funding — Councillors Sharp and Wong reversing their position after learning that the planning and funding could aid the sale of privately-owned sites as well.