by Jean Blackstock
Rosemont Neighbours,
Since the Restrictive Covenant meeting on February 11 there has been a lot of interest in Restrictive Covenants to try to maintain the spirit and nature of our community such as single-family homes and duplex homes as well as greenspace, trees, and front setbacks. Since the meeting a committee has formed to coordinate activities toward implementing a Restrictive Covenant that Rosemont residents could sign on to. To this end the committee will be going door-to-door to talk with neighbours and there will be a further information session on Monday, April 7 at 7:00 pm at the Rosemont Community Hall.
A Restrictive Covenant is a legal contract bound to a property by being registered on the title. In the past, restrictive covenants were used as development tools before municipal governments were given the power of land use zoning. Several properties in Cambrian Heights and Collingwood already have Restrictive Covenants in place. Restrictive Covenants can be effective at limiting development density. As an example, lands with a Restrictive Covenant that limits development to single detached or semi-detached dwellings will result in less density than those that do not have a Restrictive Covenant. They may enhance property value when lower density development is seen as desirable.
A Restrictive Covenant can restrict development of townhouse and row housing. For example, the Lake Bonavista and Chinook Park Eagle Ridge Kelvin Grove Restrictive Covenant does not allow construction over multiple lots. Developers are not able to acquire adjacent lots and construct a single high-density development if at least one of the lots has a Restrictive Covenant.
Since the adoption of R-CG Blanket Rezoning by City Council in September of 2024 after the longest council meeting in Calgary history, properties were changed in Rosemont from R-C1 and R-C2 to R-CG. This zoning allows for multiple dwellings on a lot. As we have seen in Capitol Hill and Mount Pleasant, one lot can become four townhouses with four basement suites and little if any parking.
Restrictive Covenants are not enforced by the City and must be defended through the legal system. Those who have not signed on to the Restrictive Covenant cannot help to enforce any Restrictive Covenant in Rosemont. Because of this it is important that we all inform ourselves and our neighbours about how we can use this Restrictive Covenant to keep the spirit of the community we bought into. Please consider coming to the meeting on April 7 at 7:00 pm at the Rosemont Community Hall to have your say about how a Rosemont Restrictive Covenant might look and have your questions answered.
If you have questions, call Jean Blackstock at 403 305-9447.
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