Opposition to Calgarys citywide rezoning change enters courtroom – Calgary [Video]

A group of Calgarians are trying to get a court to reverse a decision by Calgary city council to change the default residential zoning city-wide — a move approved earlier this year.

The request for a judicial review into blanket rezoning has 288 applicants, with dozens packing a Calgary courtroom Monday morning.

“This isn’t about development per se,” said Robert Lehodey, a retired lawyer who is leading the legal challenge. “It’s about taking your right away without the full consideration by council and study of the infrastructure and impacts on community.”

Lawyers for the group opposed to the zoning changes argued for a stay of proceedings to temporarily stop the city from issuing development permits under the new zoning rules until a judicial review is complete.

According to Lehodey, pausing those development permits is necessary due to the “irreparable harm that will be caused to people who live next door to these developments.”

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