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Prominent developer wades into city versus industry debate

CALGARY- One of the city’s most prominent builders says a multi-million dollar lawsuit between the founder of Shane Homes and Mayor Nenshi isn’t helping either the city, or the industry.

On Wednesday morning, president and CEO of Brookfield Residential Alan Norris took part in a panel discussion about the best way for the city and developers to come together.

He said he doesn’t want the very public feud between Nenshi and Cal Wenzel to overshadow what he calls a much more important debate.

“The relationship has been very strong. This is [about] two individuals, it has nothing to do with anything,” Norris said. “This is an industry that has worked well with the city because we need both parties to be working together in order to keep this city attractive, and attracting the best and the brightest.”
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He adds the city’s plan to limit which suburbs grow first is driving up the cost of both land and new homes.

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“We are approaching more of a crisis situation in the city for housing supply and affordability.”

However, city officials maintain more densification is needed in the inner city to curb rising infrastructure costs.

“[We need to] build it out in a logical and quick manner, so our exposure to debt gets repaid as quickly as possible,” explains Rollin Stanley, GM of planning, development and assessment for the City of Calgary.

Norris says he would like a transparent deal for both inner city and suburban developers, so everyone is clear about what consumers are paying for when they decide where to live.

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