Courtesy Calgary Herald

The lawmaker said security measures have been stepped up at recent town hall meetings, particularly since talk intensified of a plebiscite on the issue of housing rezoning throughout the city designed to create more accommodation.

That policy was passed by city council last September and a plebiscite on it rejected earlier this week.

At town halls on the subject three weeks ago, only one city corporate security member was present but in recent ones, two or three have been assigned, said Wong.

“Out of an abundance of caution, corporate security said they’d put (more) security at the town halls,” he said.

“They wouldn’t do that unless there was a threat.”

Wong said no threats have been made directly against him.

But he said such hostility isn’t entirely surprising given the contentiousness of the blanket rezoning, which some are convinced will greatly increase housing density and negatively impact their neighbourhood’s character.

“There was a strong outcry from the public over (support for) a plebiscite,” said Wong, who was supportive of the measure.

“We do make decisions that don’t always please everybody … a lot of people are afraid (of rezoning).”

Evans said an open house on rezoning in Ranchlands on Saturday saw tempers flare and one person being escorted out by some of the four security personnel who were present.

The policy is seen as a tool to increase the housing supply to mitigate a housing shortage and affordability crisis that’s plaguing many parts of the country.

Saturday’s tour in Capitol Hill — a type to be repeated in other parts of the city — included a tour of 20 Ave. N.W. and a multiple-unit project that serves as an example of the blanket zoning model, said Wong.

“It’s what a typical housing block looks like and these types of developments are contextually consistent (with the existing neighbourhood),” said Wong.

Even so, he said concerns over the issue are understandable, adding he pushed for an April 22 hearing on rezoning to be delayed until June to allow for more public information.

Another rezoning walking tour is scheduled for April 6, though Evans said she’s been leaning towards cancelling that, too.

“We’re looking at alternative security options,” she said.

“The city is trying to engage but with hate speech directed at city staff, I don’t know if you can have proper dialogue.”