City approves school-use on industrial site

Summary#

Calgary Council passed Bylaw 29P2026 and Bylaw 94D2026 at third reading on July 21, 2026. They amend the Saddle Ridge Area Structure Plan and replace the land-use rules for 3699 – 63 Avenue NE, allowing school and school-related uses alongside existing industrial and office uses. Council also directed City staff to apply to Alberta to change the airport noise regulation; that change has not been approved. The stated goal is to allow the existing building to be reused for education and related uses.

  • The changes apply only to the 4.50-hectare site in Saddle Ridge Industrial, Ward 5—not other lands south of 80 Avenue NE.
  • The replacement Direct Control district allows School – Private, School Authority – School, and School Authority Purpose – Minor and Major uses, while retaining industrial business uses.
  • The site is in an airport noise area where provincial rules currently prohibit schools. A provincial change and a development permit are still needed before a school can proceed.

What it means for you#

  • Landowner or prospective school operator: The site’s land-use rules now allow the listed school uses, but this does not approve a specific project. No development permit application had been submitted, and Alberta’s approval is still required.
  • Nearby residents and businesses: The decision does not itself open a school or require residents or businesses to take action. Traffic, access, parking and site design will be considered at the development-permit stage.
  • City staff: They must apply to Alberta for the airport-regulation change.

Money#

City staff reported no anticipated financial impact, but did not provide a cost estimate.

  • Staff say some transportation upgrades may be needed. Final requirements and who is responsible for them will be determined at the development-permit stage; some recommendations need further analysis.

What is unclear#

  • Whether Alberta will approve the requested change to the airport noise regulation, or when it might decide.
  • What a future development permit would require, including which road, signal, sidewalk or pathway upgrades would be required and who would pay.
  • Whether a school will be proposed, and what its size or operations would be.

Case for#

  • City staff say the change could allow an existing office building to be reused for education near residential communities, transit and existing services.
  • Staff say the proposal could add educational options without applying the policy change to other nearby industrial lands.

Case against#

  • The decision does not remove the provincial barrier: airport rules still prohibit school use unless Alberta approves a change.
  • City staff identify possible transportation upgrades, but final requirements and responsibilities remain unsettled until a permit application.
  • Councillor Wyness voted against the Council motion. The minutes do not give a reason.

Votes

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.15 (Policy and Land Use Amendment in Saddle Ridge Industrial (Ward 5) at 3699 – 63 Avenue NE, LOC2025-0250, CPC2026-0573): That with respect to Report CPC2026-0573, the following be adopted: That Council: - Give three readings to Proposed Bylaw 29P2026 for the amendment to the Saddle Ridge Area Structure Plan (Attachment 2); - Give three readings to Proposed Bylaw 94D2026 for the redesignation of 4.50 hectares ± (11.11 acres ±) located at 3699 – 63 Avenue NE (Plan 0511592, Block 7, Lot 1) from Direct Control (DC) Dist…

For (93%)
Against (7%)

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.15 (Policy and Land Use Amendment in Saddle Ridge Industrial (Ward 5) at 3699 – 63 Avenue NE, LOC2025-0250, CPC2026-0573): That Bylaw 29P2026 be introduced and read a first time.

For (100%)

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.15 (Policy and Land Use Amendment in Saddle Ridge Industrial (Ward 5) at 3699 – 63 Avenue NE, LOC2025-0250, CPC2026-0573): That Bylaw 29P2026 be read a second time.

For (100%)

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.15 (Policy and Land Use Amendment in Saddle Ridge Industrial (Ward 5) at 3699 – 63 Avenue NE, LOC2025-0250, CPC2026-0573): That Bylaw 29P2026 be read a third time.

For (100%)

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.15 (Policy and Land Use Amendment in Saddle Ridge Industrial (Ward 5) at 3699 – 63 Avenue NE, LOC2025-0250, CPC2026-0573): That Bylaw 94D2026 be introduced and read a first time.

For (100%)

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.15 (Policy and Land Use Amendment in Saddle Ridge Industrial (Ward 5) at 3699 – 63 Avenue NE, LOC2025-0250, CPC2026-0573): That Bylaw 94D2026 be read a second time.

For (100%)

Public Hearing Meeting of Council, item 7.2.15 (Policy and Land Use Amendment in Saddle Ridge Industrial (Ward 5) at 3699 – 63 Avenue NE, LOC2025-0250, CPC2026-0573): That Bylaw 94D2026 be read a third time.

For (100%)