Aldermen powerless to stop windowless bedrooms

Windowless bedrooms are often a “product of choice” for shift workers, early-to-bed homeowners and those concerned about their privacy, city officials heard Wednesday.

But aldermen weren’t swayed by a presentation from officials representing Canadian home builders.

“It would be the Edward Cullens of the world looking for this,” quipped Ald. John Mar, referring to the Twilight character.

The practice in new condos has come under scrutiny due to safety concerns, societal issues and quality of life. Members of the Canadian Home Builders Association were at City Hall on Wednesday to discuss the issue, in the wake of a new city report.

“This is really about consumer choice,” said Don Dessario of the national association. “It’s not about shoe-horning individuals into a lifestyle they’re uncomfortable with.”

Ald. Gord Lowe, who sits on the Calgary Planning Commission, said he heard “several excuses and few reasons” from the builders’ group.

“Market choice is something that is definitely there, but it’s also something that you tend to create,” Lowe said.

Ald. Druh Farrell added she would “love to see studies showing a market preference,” but was told such reports aren’t kept.

Marketers say the lower-cost units sell well, and regulating windows would increase the unit’s footprint and price tag.

While some councillors didn’t like it, they conceded windowless bedrooms are a “buyer beware” issue, due to provincial rules.

In 2006, safety codes authorized windowless bedrooms in residential buildings four storeys or higher, as long as they’re protected by sprinklers,

Aldermen admitted they were unable to overrule provincial codes.

“We’ve got a quagmire here,” Lowe said. “But I don’t see that there’s a city solution for this.”