Secondary suites plebiscite could cost up to $2M

The issue of secondary suites might be placed before citizensafter coming before Calgary city council numerous times in the past few years,

• Secondary suites bylaw for Calgary's central wards passes 1st reading

Some councillors are pushing for a plebiscite on suites, asking Calgarians whether or not they favour rezoning to allow suites across the city.

City staff told council on Wednesday that the cost of such a processcould be close to $400,000 if tied to the 2017 election, or approximately $2 million if conducted as a standalone initiative.

Staffalso warned it would be a challenge to craft a clear ballot question on this complicated issue.

Direct democracy

"I have no illusionson the fact that trying to come up with the right question is going to be extremely difficult," said Coun.Andre Chabot, adding education would be critical prior to a vote.

"I think members of council are concerned about what the electorate think, even if there is a cost associated with it, because at the end of the day, this is a very contentious issue and it's come back so many times now that I think council wants to hear, through this process, as far as what the public thinks we should do."

While the results of the plebiscite would be non-binding, Coun. Ward Sutherland doesn't see it that way.

"As far as I'm concerned it's democracy and I find itbinding. I can't speak for the other councillors," hesaid.

Council voted 5-2 to keep the idea alive. It is alsowaiting on the results of a report into ending secondary-suite zoning restrictions in wards 7,8,9 and 11.