Varsity community residents have come together to create a restrictive covenant to preserve the single-family residential character and maintain the look and feel of our neighborhood. This agreement between landowners will restrict the use of their land for the benefit of all participating residents.
A new volunteer subcommittee of the Varsity Civic Affairs Committee has been established called the Varsity Restrictive Covenant Subcommittee (VRCS) to handle the required paperwork, manage finances, and establish and manage a legal defence fund.
In May 2024, City Council decided to implement blanket rezoning, meaning 8 to 12 dwelling units can be built on a 50-foot lot with 60% lot coverage anywhere within the City of Calgary. This policy has the potential to negatively affect individual properties and streetscapes in Varsity where residents have expressed a desire to preserve and protect this single-family residential area.
A pilot project is underway to apply restrictive covenants on Valparaiso Place, Varsity Estates Link, and Varsity Estates Grove. We are currently organizing to implement RCs on Vienna Drive, Viceroy Drive, Vanstone Crescent, Vanstone Road, Valencia Road, Valencia Place, Varsity Estates Road, Varsity Estates Rise, Varsity Estate Bays, Varsity Village West, and Varsity Village East. Based on interest and the availability of volunteers, other streets will be added to the initiative.
A restrictive covenant is a contract registered on a land title for a property that restricts its future use or redevelopment. It is attached to the property’s title and passed on to subsequent property owners.
A restrictive covenant is a “burden” on the land. This means that it restricts what the landowner can do on the property. In this case, it would prevent landowners from subdividing their lands or building anything other than a single-family home.
A restrictive covenant also makes a property more desirable for an individual or family to purchase. It increases certainty for purchasers who want to live on a low-density residential street and want assurances that future developments will follow the same low density development pattern.
The cost is $750.00 for each property. Initially all of these funds will simply cover the cost of legal fees and disbursements related to drafting and registering the restrictive covenant. The greater the number of homeowners who participate, the lower the cost becomes, as more households share the expenses. Eventually, if the income exceeds expenses, the remainder of the funds will be contributed to a legal defence fund. These fees are non-refundable and will be held in trust with the law firm of Carbert Waite LLP to cover legal expenses for this project. Carbert Waite LLP will then transfer any unused funds to the group established to administer the legal defence fund.
Help preserve the unique residential character of specific areas in Varsity and restrict the type of development and density on our local streets.
The greater the number of people who sign a restrictive covenant, the more effective the restrictive covenant becomes.
Conveniently send your Varsity Restrictive Covenant fees by e-transfer directly to the appointed lawyer. These fees will go towards preparation of legal documents and legal defence fund.
Book your Varsity Restrictive Covenant land title signing appointment with a lawyer at the Varsity Community Centre. Dates and times available in September. Click below to schedule your appointment.
NOTE: You will be required to submit your e-transfer confirmation / reference number when book your appointment.