Summary#

Calgary City Council approved an appointment to the Calgary Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) for 2027. The appointment takes effect January 1, 2027; the candidate’s name is in a confidential attachment. City staff say the appointment is intended to support the Board’s leadership and avoid disruption.

• Council appointed the candidate named in Confidential Attachment 2 as SDAB Chair for 2027.
• Council directed the City Clerk’s Office to make the appointment public after notifying the appointee, no later than the end of October 23, 2026.
• Council voted 15–0 to approve the appointment. No members voted against.
• Council directed that Confidential Attachments 1 and 2 remain confidential.

What it means for you#

• People who use the SDAB: The decision appoints its Chair, but the materials do not describe any change to appeal rights or procedures.
• SDAB members: City staff report that members took part in the Board’s process for recommending a Chair. Under the Board’s policy, at least 80% of members must cast ballots, and an incumbent must receive support from at least 50% plus one of those who vote. If the incumbent does not continue or lacks enough support, the Board may recommend other members.
• Public: The appointee’s name is to be released by the stated deadline after notification. The confidential attachments contain background and candidate information.

Money#

City staff report no anticipated financial impact.

• The materials provide no cost estimate or breakdown.

What is unclear#

• The candidate’s name and qualifications are not in the supplied material.
• The confidential attachments mean the Board’s recommendation and Council’s candidate assessment are not available here.
• The materials set a public-release deadline but do not confirm whether the appointment was released by that deadline.

Case for#

• City staff say the SDAB decides subdivision and development matters that affect Calgary’s growth, and that its Chair provides leadership.
• City staff say appointing a Chair before the current Chair’s term ends on December 31 would help minimize disruption to the Board’s work.
• The appointment follows the annual appointment requirement in the cited City bylaw.

Case against#

• A concern is that the public cannot assess the candidate’s qualifications or the reasons for the choice before the appointment is announced, because the candidate information is confidential.
• The materials do not explain whether the selected candidate is the incumbent or another Board member, or how the Board’s recommendation affected Council’s decision.