Summary#

Calgary City Council passed Bylaw 55D2026 at third reading on May 12, 2026. It changes the land-use district for 5325 – 1A Street SW in Manchester, Ward 9, from Industrial Redevelopment to Commercial – Corridor 2, with a floor-area ratio of 3.5 and a maximum height of 18 metres. The stated goal is to allow a wider range of commercial uses, including the applicant’s intended small place of worship.

• The change applies to about 0.06 hectares (0.14 acres) at that address.
• The new district allows a range of commercial uses, including a “Place of Worship – Small.”
• Council approved the bylaw 14 to 0. No councillors voted against.

What it means for you#

• The landowner and future developers: The property can now be considered for uses allowed in the new district. A floor-area ratio of 3.5 means the total floor area may be up to 3.5 times the lot area; the maximum building height is 18 metres.
• People nearby: The land-use change does not approve a specific building or construction plan. A development permit is still needed, and City staff say building design, traffic safety and on-site parking will be assessed at that stage.
• The public: The change does not transfer ownership of the land or itself establish a place of worship.

Money#

City staff report no anticipated financial impact from the land-use amendment; no cost estimate is provided.

• The materials do not give a cost for any future development or its review.

What is unclear#

• No development permit application has been submitted, so the future building, its uses and its parking arrangements are not known.
• The materials do not give a timeline for a development permit application or construction.
• The full list of uses allowed in the new district is not included in the supplied material.

Case for#

• City staff say the new district aligns with the Municipal Development Plan and Chinook Communities Local Area Plan, which support commercial uses and community facilities in the area.
• Staff say the change would allow more commercial uses near transit and make use of existing infrastructure.
• Public submissions from Amaan Hameed and Gilberto Ancheta supported the amendment.

Case against#

• One public letter opposed the amendment, raising concerns about parking availability and traffic congestion.
• The amendment allows a range of commercial uses, not only the small place of worship the applicant intends. What will ultimately be built and how it will affect the area remain unknown until a development proposal is reviewed.