A proposed affordable housing project in southwest Calgary is facing fierce community pushback, with Erlton residents raising serious questions about traffic congestion and neighbourhood character at a contentious City Council hearing this week.
Developer Onward Homes unveiled plans to build a 45-unit below-market residential building on a former Enmax substation property bordered by Mission Road S.W. and Erlton Terrace S.W. While the project represents an effort to address Calgary's affordable housing shortage, long-time neighbourhood residents say the development is incompatible with the area's existing infrastructure.
"We've Lived Here in Peace and Quiet"
Erlton Terrace resident Dianne Parkinson-McCabe, who has called the neighbourhood home for 23 years, expressed her frustration bluntly. "I'm really upset about the size of it. We're just not sure how traffic is going to work," she told council during Tuesday's public hearing.
Her concerns are widely shared across the community. The city received approximately 200 written submissions regarding the proposal—the vast majority opposing it. Residents consistently cited the same issue: Erlton Terrace is a narrow street with no turnaround, making it poorly suited for the vehicle volume a 45-unit building would generate.
"The street is pretty narrow, no turnaround and that kind of building would generate a lot of traffic," said longtime resident Dominique Leclerc. "We only oppose the scale of this thing, that's all."
Scaled Back, But Still Too Large
Onward Homes initially proposed a more ambitious 61-unit, six-storey development but revised the plan downward in response to community feedback. The current proposal stands at 45 units with a maximum height of four storeys. Yet residents argue even this reduced version exceeds what the neighbourhood can safely accommodate.
Resident Gilles Corpat summed up the prevailing sentiment: "There should be some building going on that piece of land, but most of us were opposing the size of the project, which is way too big since Mission Road and Erlton Terrace don't have the infrastructure to accommodate such a large project, even if it has been reduced from 61 to 45 units."
Interestingly, residents aren't universally opposed to development—they simply want a project proportionate to the area's capacity.
City Council Pumps the Brakes
City Council voted Tuesday to postpone a final decision on the land-use redesignation, requiring the developer to first secure a site development permit. This move effectively gives both sides more time to negotiate.
The delay reflects a broader tension in Calgary's housing strategy. The land is currently zoned for low-height, low-density multi-residential use. To proceed, Onward Homes needs council approval to redesignate the site for higher-density development.
Density vs. Neighbourhoods: Finding the Balance
Mayor Jeromy Farkas framed the issue in citywide terms, noting that Calgary repealed blanket rezoning in April. "What we build along these major nodes and corridors, particularly around major thoroughfares, has to be more intense, has to be more dense to be able to make up for the housing that we're not getting from blanket rezoning," he said.
Ward 8 Councillor Nathaniel Schmidt struck a more conciliatory note, expressing hope that negotiation could yield a win-win outcome. "I'm hoping through all the work that's been done, all of the communication between the parties, that we have something that can be put forward that provides a mutual benefit," Schmidt said.
The Erlton debate encapsulates one of Calgary's defining housing challenges: how to build needed affordable units without overwhelming existing neighbourhoods. As the city continues to grapple with housing affordability and availability, residents and developers will need to find middle ground—or risk years of delays that benefit no one.
For those following local real estate and community development issues, Calgary Forums offers an active community space where residents can discuss neighbourhood planning and local issues.
Information in this article is based on reporting from CBC Calgary.