Major secondary suites reform nixed

City council decided late Monday not to make any major changes to the way secondary suites are regulated in Calgary.

Aldermen rejected several proposals that would have loosened the rules across the city, including one that would have allowed suites to be built in areas close to LRT stations and post-secondary schools.

Instead council passed a motion making it easier for homeowners to add basement suites in parts of the city that are already zoned for it.

"I deliberately said, as did some of my colleagues, 'let's go for the touchdown.' Our council today decided they'd rather go for the first down," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi, who campaigned on the issue of legalizing the affordable-housing units and was pushing his colleagues to support sweeping changes to the current rules.

Council agreed to ask city administrators for a report on the issue by December.

Ald. Gord Lowe say Calgarians should be consulted before any major changes are made.

"If you want massive push-back, do this. And I for one am not interested in a push-back. I think if we approach this properly, there's an opportunity," Lowe said.