City Hall delays vote for 30-storey Chinatown tower after residents protest

The City of Calgary put off a vote to build a high-rise building in Chinatown after a protest Monday morning.

The Chinatown Community Stakeholders’ Committee (CCSC) gathered outside City Hall, waving signs opposing the planned development they say will negatively affect China’s cultural heritage. The group is asking councillors to engage with the community and take their views into consideration when deciding on the Chinatown tower. 

“City Council is looking to pass two bylaws that will have extremely adverse affects on the Chinatown community. The bylaws will allow unrestricted development in Chinatown, taking away the need for consultation of the community which could mean the end of Chinatown,” reads the CCSC website.

“Bylaw development in the community is welcome, but nearly unrestricted development that doesn’t meet the needs or wants of the community is a threat to the heritage and history of Chinatown.”

The proposal for a building that would be twice the allowed maximum height in Chinatown will be discussed again in April. Until then, the building applicant can engage in public consultations.

“Two months would give the opportunity for the applicant to start building some trust within the community and to find a way to move forward together,” said Coun. Druh Farrell at Monday’s meeting.

“I don’t anticipate the land use will be complete by April but at least council at that point can hear whether or not the consultation has been meaningful to that point.”