A public hearing for a controversial development in Springbank Hill will be held Tuesday at city council. A 35-unit luxury villa-style townhouse complex, called Augusta Villas, is proposed for a vacant piece of land at 30 Elveden Dr. S.W. Since the proposed land use change signs went up, residents have been raising concerns related to density, height, pedestrian safety and overall aesthetics. More than 900 residents have signed an online petition opposing the project, and about 100 written submissions have been filed with the city. The project was initially proposed in spring 2025 as a 56-unit townhouse complex, but due to resident pushback, was revised. If approved, it would feature six single-detached bungalow homes, 12 semi-detached homes, 17 elevated townhomes, with double car garages for all residences and additional visitor parking. Despite changes, residents say the project still fails to address density and compatibility. “This is not a meaningful compromise,” said Sara Austin, a Springbank Hill resident in an email to CTV News. “The developer has made modest amendments, but the fundamental problem remains: the density is far beyond what fits this street, the area structure plan and the expectations of the community.” This decision at city council could serve as an early test for the new mayor and council, as it comes one month before the debate on whether to repeal blanket rezoning. In December 2025, councillors voted 13-2 to initiate the repeal. On March 23, a final public hearing will give Calgarians one last chance to weigh in before a final decision is made. “Calgarians were clear in the last election: growth must be thoughtful, contextual, and community-driven,” said Austin. “Approving a townhouse development on a rural residential road just weeks before revisiting blanket rezoning sends exactly the wrong message.”
