Shane Keating - Ward 12

CREB®Now: What is your vision for Calgary in terms of planning and development in the short and long term?

Keating: Short term, we need to identify low-hanging fruit for development. While growth overlay may make sense in some cases, we should be open minded about allowing development to move forward where there are no additional costs to the City. Medium term, we need to keep investing in complete communities. This means communities with multiple housing types, appropriate levels of density and abundant community amenities.

CREB®Now: What is your opinion on a potential land transfer tax for Calgary and/or all of Alberta?

Keating: I would not support a land transfer tax for Calgary and/or Alberta.

CREB®Now: What are your thoughts on the future of energy-efficient homes and how they could potentially be classified?

Keating: Difficult to answer without a clear definition of energy efficiency. This is certainly something that the City, in co-ordination with the province, should find ways to support.

CREB®Now: How would you approach the issue of affordable housing in Calgary?

Keating: We should be offering more private-sector incentives for investments in affordable housing.

CREB®Now: What are some infrastructure projects/improvements you would like to see in the next 25 years?

Keating: Completion of the Green Line LRT, completion of the ring road and long overdue upgrades for Deerfoot Trail.

CREB®Now: What is your position on the current secondary suite approval process?

Keating: The process is broken. Having all applications come before council is a poor use of time. Council must come together and provide clear direction for an administrative process that protects the rights of homeowners, while allowing secondary suites where they are appropriate. The previous council had polarizing figures on either end of the secondary suite debate that refused to find common ground and change the process – that needs to change.

CREB®Now: What is your preferred location for a new Calgary Flames arena and how would you propose the City develop the surrounding area to best meet the needs of Calgarians?

Keating: Victoria Park. The site has better access to existing utility hook-ups, a stronger transportation capacity and greater potential for redevelopment with existing work going on in East Village.

Tagged: City Council