Summary#

Calgary Council passed Bylaw 75D2026 at third reading on June 23, 2026. It changes the land use district for 1516 – 29 Avenue SW in South Calgary, Ward 8, from Multi-Residential – Contextual Low Profile to Commercial – Corridor 1. The City’s stated goal is to support growth of a nearby commercial and mixed-use area.

• The new district allows a range of commercial and retail uses on the 0.06-hectare site.
• It allows the possibility of future commercial or mixed-use buildings up to 12 metres high, about three to four storeys.
• The change does not itself approve a particular building or business. Two development permit applications for the site are under review.

What it means for you#

• The property owner: Certus Developments applied for the change. The new district allows more commercial uses than the former residential district, but the specific proposed renovations and uses still require development permit decisions.
• Nearby residents and businesses: The land use change does not itself decide the site’s building design, parking or off-site impacts; City staff say those details are being reviewed through the development permit applications.
• The public: Council passed the change 14–0. One person spoke at the public hearing.

Money#

City staff anticipate no financial impact from the land use change.

• No cost estimate or additional funding details are provided.

What is unclear#

• The development permit applications remain under review, so the final design, parking arrangements and approved uses are not settled in these materials.
• The materials do not say whether or when the nearby back alley will be paved or improved.
• The exact future development of the site is not approved by this land use change.

Case for#

• City staff say the change supports incremental growth of a commercial and mixed-use area near 14 Street SW and fits the applicable city and local area plans.
• City staff say a wider range of commercial uses could serve the surrounding community and make use of existing land, infrastructure and services.

Case against#

• The Marda Loop Communities Association raised concerns about traffic and parking demand from existing businesses near 14 Street SW and 29 Avenue SW. It did not state whether it supported or opposed this application.
• A person who submitted a public comment, marked “Neither” in favour nor opposed, described recurring water pooling and poor access in the alley behind the site and asked the City to prioritize paving and drainage improvements. The materials do not say those works are part of this decision.