Calgary Council Approves Rezoning of Former CBC Site Amid Controversy

Calgary City Council has unanimously approved the rezoning of the former CBC building site, a decision that has sparked significant community concern due to the presence of creosote, a toxic substance known to be harmful to both humans and the environment. The vote took place on Wednesday, paving the way for a new six-storey development on Westmount Boulevard N.W.

The site has a history of environmental issues stemming from its previous use by the Canada Creosote Company, which operated there until the 1960s. Creosote, a chemical used to treat wood, has contaminated the soil and, according to experts, has migrated beneath the Bow River. Professor Cathy Ryan from the University of Calgary noted, “It has, according to what the city has found, migrated to the other side of the river.”

Despite an environmental assessment deemed acceptable by the province, many residents of the Hillhurst community remain skeptical about the safety of the proposed construction. Public hearings revealed strong opposition from neighborhood advocates. Jim Stirling, a community advocate and engineer, expressed disappointment with the council’s decision, stating, “When you look at the process, it’s pretty clear the public were cut out of the interaction.”

The implications of rezoning extend beyond the immediate vicinity. Concerns about the public engagement process have surfaced, with residents questioning the transparency of the interactions between the city, the province, and the community regarding the creosote issue. Terry Wong, the Ward 7 councillor, emphasized the importance of proper engagement: “Engagement is tough, but we’ve got to do it right, and if we do it right, the confidence and trust of our corporation and the citizenship of our governance will be there.”

The developer, Anthem Properties, is responsible for any challenges that arise during the project. Rose-Mary Damiani, senior director for Anthem Properties, assured the community that “monitoring, reporting protocols will endure with the land,” aiming to provide confidence amid ongoing concerns.

Looking ahead, the next phase involves the development permit process, which will delve deeper into the potential community impacts. This stage is expected to allow for public input, although many, including Stirling, doubt that it will lead to significant changes in the proposal.

In related developments, cleanup efforts in the nearby Sunalta area are still in progress, but the provincial government has not announced plans for a comprehensive cleanup of the contaminated site. Meanwhile, the mayor has indicated that there are currently no new development plans under consideration.

Despite the controversies surrounding the site, the environmental assessment conducted in Hillhurst did not identify creosote levels high enough to pose an immediate concern. Nonetheless, the juxtaposition of potential development against community health and environmental safety continues to be a contentious issue for residents and city officials alike.