Politiek · Data-centre zoningCalgary data centre pause: November 3 review set, council approval still neededGeschreven 29 oktober 2026 om 09:32 UTCKijkenTranscript0:07Four councillors and Calgary's mayor want to freeze new resonance for large data0:10centers.0:11Their proposal puts water, electricity, and the cost of servicing industrial0:15campuses at the center of land, use decisions.0:17Council hasn't approved a pause.0:19The unresolved issue is which projects could proceed while the city writes its0:22rules.0:23Ward II Councillor Jennifer Wenis sponsored the motion.0:26Councillors Raj Daliwal, Andrew Ewell, and John Pantazopoulos Co.0:29signed it along with Mayor Jeremy Farkas.0:31That gives the proposal five named supporters.0:34Council still has to decide whether to adopt it.0:37The proposed pause targets new rezoning applications for large-scale data centers.0:41Rezoning changes what a property can be used for.0:44Pantazopoulos describes a twelve-month pause on new land use changes, giving the0:49city time to examine infrastructure demands before committing more land.0:52Council would still have to settle its scope.0:54Calgary's land use bylaw doesn't specifically define data centers.0:58Proposals still go through its existing requirements.1:01The motion seeks a dedicated framework that would distinguish smaller facilities1:04from the much larger campuses serving artificial intelligence and cloud computing.1:08The motion describes small and medium-sized centers as having energy, water, and1:12land needs comparable to other commercial and industrial businesses.1:16It describes hyperscale centers as resource-intensive campuses with effects1:20extending into the surrounding region.1:21Those categories would help shape the rules.1:24They don't tell residents how much a particular project would consume.1:27The requested study would examine environmental and economic effects, regional water1:31servicing, and municipal water infrastructure.1:33Supporters also want answers about electricity demand, stormwater and wastewater,1:37and how those demands would fit alongside Calgary's growth.1:39Winness says a pause would let the city research those demands and create an1:43equitable playing field.1:44Supporters also see opportunities for jobs, investment, and a larger tax base.1:49Their argument is that businesses and residents need clear rules before the city1:52makes long term land use commitments.1:55The Executive Committee's technical review is scheduled for November third.1:58The motion seeks a report on potential bylaw amendments in March2027.2:02Then an impacts report in the fourth quarter of two thousand and twenty-seven.2:06Council would have to approve those directions to administration.2:09March would be a reporting milestone, with potential changes for council to2:13consider.2:13Writing a new district into law would take a further decision.2:17Nearby Rocky View County has already used a temporary freeze to develop its rules,2:21while Alberta's government is pursuing a strategy to attract data, center2:25investment.2:26Stantec and property management company Walton Global already have an application2:29under review on Calgary's northeastern edge.2:32The undeveloped parcel lies east of50,2 Street Northeast and north of Redstone.2:36Its location puts the citywide policy debate close to existing residents.2:39The applicants want permission for large industrial buildings and power generation2:43for a data center, along with natural areas and stormwater retention ponds.2:47Their application seeks to change land currently reserved for future urban2:50development to a district, allowing the proposed industrial uses.2:54The current designation is special purpose future urban development.2:57The requested designation is direct control industrial general.3:01These are permissions the applicants are seeking.3:03Even if council approved the land, use change.3:05The project would still need a development permit.3:07The Taliwall represents Ward Five.3:10Where the site is located, he says residents have asked what environmental3:13assessments and technical studies will examine noise and heat.3:16The project's water and electricity demands are also still unclear.3:19Walton Global hadn't commented by October20 8 .3:22Tithaliwall says residents were surprised by the application and wanted more time to3:26respond.3:27At the October27 Council meeting, he described a notice board giving October20 th as3:32the feedback deadline in a location residents didn't routinely visit.3:36City administration says residents can continue sending comments to the file3:39manager, even though the initial comment period has closed.3:42That leaves a route for people who thought they had missed their chance.3:45Those comments go into an application process that includes circulation, review and3:49analysis before staff make a recommendation.3:52Deborah Hamilton, Calgary's General Manager of Planning and Development Services,3:56says the studies required depend on the application.3:58Transportation impact assessments are a regular requirement.4:01For this proposal, she says the city has specifically requested an environmental4:05site assessment.4:06The city is still reviewing the application and gathering the information it needs4:10for a recommendation.4:11Residents are asking about the project's effects before a decision on its land use.4:15The proposed citywide pause adds another decision for council about how that review4:19should proceed.4:20The November3 review is the next scheduled step.4:23The pause still needs council approval, and the Northeast application remains under4:27review.4:28Whether that existing application could continue during a pause depends on rules the4:32city has yet to settle.4:33Pantazopoulos says clearer rules could give businesses a predictable path and help4:37residents understand what development would require.4:40He sees room for economic growth, but says the city also has to protect the services4:44people depend on.4:45Pantazopoulos says data centers could bring jobs and an expanded tax base.4:50He also puts a condition on that opportunity.4:52In his words, Calgarians also want fresh water, sewers that work, and a system and a4:57city that works for them.Lees het artikelTijdlijn van het verhaalHeyDex
