Calgary community turns to restrictive covenants with blanket rezoning in effect

Residents of Lake Bonavista, a community in Calgary, are taking action to prevent the construction of multi-family developments following the city's blanket rezoning policy. This policy allows for various housing types in all residential areas, prompting concerns among homeowners about the potential disruption to their community's character. To counter this, residents have initiated a restrictive covenant initiative, which involves legally binding agreements that can prevent certain types of construction. Over 200 residents attended a recent meeting to discuss the initiative, with hopes that at least 60% of the community will participate to effectively block developers from creating larger multi-family projects. The initiative has already seen about 15-20% of households agreeing to register the covenants, which cost $500 each. Legal experts note that while restrictive covenants are not new to Calgary, their use is increasing in response to the new zoning laws. Critics, however, express concerns that such covenants may hinder the development of inclusive communities and affordable housing. The City of Calgary does not enforce these covenants, leaving their validity and enforcement to the homeowners involved.

- Lake Bonavista residents are implementing restrictive covenants to prevent multi-family developments.

- The initiative follows Calgary's blanket rezoning policy, which allows diverse housing types in residential areas.

- Approximately 15-20% of households have agreed to register the covenants, with a goal of 60% participation.

- Legal experts warn that restrictive covenants may limit housing supply and inclusivity.

- The City of Calgary does not enforce restrictive covenants, treating them as private agreements.