Affordable Housing in Beechwood
This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s):
Welcome to the 555 Beechwood EngageWR page. The Region is starting to plan for an innovative housing project in this community that will provide affordable homes to individuals and families. Visit this page for updates, information, and virtual opportunities to provide feedback on the project as it moves forward. You can also subscribe to this page and will then receive updates by email.
There is a growing need for affordable housing across our region. In Waterloo, more than 11,000 families with low incomes may find it difficult to obtain safe, adequate, and affordable housing. Of these families, two-thirds spend 30% or more of their household income on shelter, which means they have limited means to meet their other basic needs.
We have an opportunity to make a difference! 555 Beechwood is the first parcel of surplus land owned by the Region of Waterloo being planned for affordable housing. Creating affordable homes is a priority identified by the community and formalized in the 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, the Region of Waterloo Strategic Plan, and the City of Waterloo Strategic Plan.
Our intention is that this project will fit within the current official plan and zoning permissions for 555 Beechwood. The property is designated as Mixed-use Medium Density Residential in the City’s Official Plan. The maximum that the current zoning allows for is a building height 20 metres or six storeys.
As of August 2020 , we plan to seek proposals from the private and non-profit housing sectors for a welcoming and innovative mixed-residential development. To help make this project a success, the Region and the builder will engage the Beechwood community in the design process. We will look to you for feedback on things like green space, green building features and design features and will keep you informed through key steps in the development.
Thanks for your interest, and we look forward to engaging with you in this exciting new development!
This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s):
Welcome to the 555 Beechwood EngageWR page. The Region is starting to plan for an innovative housing project in this community that will provide affordable homes to individuals and families. Visit this page for updates, information, and virtual opportunities to provide feedback on the project as it moves forward. You can also subscribe to this page and will then receive updates by email.
There is a growing need for affordable housing across our region. In Waterloo, more than 11,000 families with low incomes may find it difficult to obtain safe, adequate, and affordable housing. Of these families, two-thirds spend 30% or more of their household income on shelter, which means they have limited means to meet their other basic needs.
We have an opportunity to make a difference! 555 Beechwood is the first parcel of surplus land owned by the Region of Waterloo being planned for affordable housing. Creating affordable homes is a priority identified by the community and formalized in the 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, the Region of Waterloo Strategic Plan, and the City of Waterloo Strategic Plan.
Our intention is that this project will fit within the current official plan and zoning permissions for 555 Beechwood. The property is designated as Mixed-use Medium Density Residential in the City’s Official Plan. The maximum that the current zoning allows for is a building height 20 metres or six storeys.
As of August 2020 , we plan to seek proposals from the private and non-profit housing sectors for a welcoming and innovative mixed-residential development. To help make this project a success, the Region and the builder will engage the Beechwood community in the design process. We will look to you for feedback on things like green space, green building features and design features and will keep you informed through key steps in the development.
Thanks for your interest, and we look forward to engaging with you in this exciting new development!
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Excavation work on site
Share Excavation work on site on Facebook Share Excavation work on site on Twitter Share Excavation work on site on Linkedin Email Excavation work on site linkOn Monday, October 30, contractors will be on site to complete work to find the position of underground water pipes. They will arrive at the site by 7:30 a.m. to being work at 8:00 a.m.
This is a follow up to the work that was done on September 20. We expect that the work will be complete within the day.
Questions? Email us at beechwood@regionofwaterloo.ca or call us at 519-575-4400 x3442 and leave a message.
The Beechwood Project team
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Committee of Adjustment Application – Correction to Information Notice sent to Neighbouring Property Owners
Share Committee of Adjustment Application – Correction to Information Notice sent to Neighbouring Property Owners on Facebook Share Committee of Adjustment Application – Correction to Information Notice sent to Neighbouring Property Owners on Twitter Share Committee of Adjustment Application – Correction to Information Notice sent to Neighbouring Property Owners on Linkedin Email Committee of Adjustment Application – Correction to Information Notice sent to Neighbouring Property Owners linkAn information notice from the City of Waterloo for the Committee of Adjustment application recently circulated to neighbours of 555 Beechwood describes the new development as a nine storey building.
This is incorrect. The application before Committee of Adjustment is for a six storey building.
The City of Waterloo has corrected the notice and is recirculating it to neighbours. A sign will be posted on the property in the next few days that correctly identifies the new development as six storeys.
If you have any questions, email us at beechwood@regionofwaterloo.ca or call us at 519 575-4400 x3442.
Thank you,
The Beechwood Project Team
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Committee of Adjustment Application
Share Committee of Adjustment Application on Facebook Share Committee of Adjustment Application on Twitter Share Committee of Adjustment Application on Linkedin Email Committee of Adjustment Application linkSouthside Group, the developer of the 555 Beechwood Drive property, has applied for a minor variance to lower the height of the first-floor ceiling. This request is to accommodate the sloping landscape of the site and comply with the overall building height limit.
The City of Waterloo’s Committee of Adjustment will meet on August 15 to make the decision. For the agenda and more information, please see the City of Waterloo Council and Committee Meetings webpage. The agenda should be posted this week.
If you have any questions or concerns please email us at Beechwood@regionofwaterloo.ca or call us at 519-575-4400 x3442 and leave a message.
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Consultants will be on site
Share Consultants will be on site on Facebook Share Consultants will be on site on Twitter Share Consultants will be on site on Linkedin Email Consultants will be on site linkNow that the Agreement of Purchase and Sale has been signed, work is continuing on the site plan. Over the next few weeks, various consultants will be on site for many reasons. For example, engineers will be determining the exact location of the underground water infrastructure. Others will be verifying parts of the geotechnical report. All of this work needs to be done to finalize the site plan for the property.
If you have any questions or concerns please email us at Beechwood@regionofwaterloo.ca or call us at 519-575-4400 x3442 and leave a message.
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Moving Forward
Share Moving Forward on Facebook Share Moving Forward on Twitter Share Moving Forward on Linkedin Email Moving Forward linkThe Region of Waterloo and Southside Management signed the Agreement of Purchase and Sale for 555 Beechwood in Waterloo. The transfer of land will take place after Southside’s design and site plan has been approved by the City of Waterloo.
Southside will have all planning approvals in place within six months. Construction on the property will begin shortly after. The architect and City of Waterloo staff will review the site plan based on comments from other City departments and other agencies. Community input from the survey and Engage Waterloo Region website, as well as the two community meetings in August 2021 will also be considered.
We will continue to send updates through the Beechwood EngageWR webpage.
If you have any questions, please send them to Beechwood@regionofwaterloo.ca or leave a message at 519-575-4400 extension 3442.
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Response to Community Engagement feedback
Share Response to Community Engagement feedback on Facebook Share Response to Community Engagement feedback on Twitter Share Response to Community Engagement feedback on Linkedin Email Response to Community Engagement feedback linkLate last summer the developer for the 555 Beechwood site, Southside Group, held two virtual community engagement sessions. Following these, a survey was posted on Engage to allow for more feedback on the design of the site. During these winter months Southside Group has been working with their architectural and engineering consultants on a site plan application to have the plan for 555 Beechwood approved by City of Waterloo staff. Southside Group and their consultants have considered all of the comments and survey responses received and have provided their responses. If you have any questions – please feel free to contact us through the Beechwood phone line (519-575-4400 x3442) or the Beechwood email (Beechwood@regionofwaterloo.ca). We will pass on your questions to Southside. Project completion is now anticipated for early 2024.
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Survey Still Open
Share Survey Still Open on Facebook Share Survey Still Open on Twitter Share Survey Still Open on Linkedin Email Survey Still Open linkThe survey for providing input into the design of 555 Beechwood Drive will remain open until this Friday, September 17. You still have time to submit any last minute feedback you may have.
The notes from the Beechwood Community Outreach Meetings held in August have been posted in the Documents to Download section of the webpage.
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Community Outreach Meeting Presentation Video and Survey
Share Community Outreach Meeting Presentation Video and Survey on Facebook Share Community Outreach Meeting Presentation Video and Survey on Twitter Share Community Outreach Meeting Presentation Video and Survey on Linkedin Email Community Outreach Meeting Presentation Video and Survey linkThe developer team for 555 Beechwood Drive held two community outreach meetings on August 19th and received helpful feedback on their proposed design.
To hear the information shared at the meeting, you can watch the video of their presentation.
There's still time to provide your feedback on the design. To provide your input, you can complete the survey.
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Site work and parking request meeting
Share Site work and parking request meeting on Facebook Share Site work and parking request meeting on Twitter Share Site work and parking request meeting on Linkedin Email Site work and parking request meeting linkMTE consultants have been and will continue to be on site to do some geotechnical investigations to assess the impact that the soil and rocks below the surface might have on a construction project. This is required for any development.
On June 28th the City of Waterloo Council will consider a request from the Region of Waterloo to reduce parking requirements for the affordable units at 555 Beechwood. The Agenda is on the City of Waterloo’s webpage.
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Upcoming Neighbourhood Meetings
Share Upcoming Neighbourhood Meetings on Facebook Share Upcoming Neighbourhood Meetings on Twitter Share Upcoming Neighbourhood Meetings on Linkedin Email Upcoming Neighbourhood Meetings linkThe development of 555 Beechwood continues and we would like to invite you to hear about the work that has taken place so far to design these new homes in your community. We are hosting two virtual neighbourhood meetings where Nicholson Sheffield (the architect) and Southside Construction Ltd. (the developer) will showcase their draft designs for the property. During these meetings, there will be an opportunity for you to provide feedback on building design and site features.
The meetings will be held on the following date and times:
Thursday, August 19, 2:30pm (afternoon session)
Thursday, August 19, 6:00pm (evening session)
If you would like to attend one of the virtual neighborhood meetings, please email: info@nicholsonsheffield.ca
In your email include include the following:
- your name
- your postal code
- your email address
- the session you wish to attend - afternoon or evening
After receiving your email, Nicholson Sheffield will send you a Zoom link to the meeting.
We are arranging to record the meeting and will post that on Engage for those who may not be able to attend the virtual meetings. We are also creating a survey to allow those who cannot attend the meeting to provide their feedback. The link to the survey will be sent out through Engage in August.
If you have questions about the meeting, do not have a computer, or need other accommodation to attend the meeting(s) please connect through the following email or phone number:
Beechwood@regionofwaterloo.ca
519-575-4400 x3442
Leave a message and someone will call you back.
We look forward to hearing your feedback and questions!
Timeline
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Initial communication with community June 17, 2020
Affordable Housing in Beechwood has finished this stage -
Town Hall Meetings June 25 and 26, 2020
Affordable Housing in Beechwood has finished this stage -
Report to Regional Council July 15, 2020
Affordable Housing in Beechwood has finished this stage -
Design Guidelines and Communication Strategy August 11 and 20, 2020
Affordable Housing in Beechwood has finished this stage -
Release of Request for Proposals August 24, 2020
Affordable Housing in Beechwood has finished this stage -
Request for Proposals closes October 14, 2020
Affordable Housing in Beechwood has finished this stage -
Developer team recommended to Regional Council for final approval on March 24, 2021
Affordable Housing in Beechwood has finished this stage -
City of Waterloo Council Meeting - June 28, 2021
Affordable Housing in Beechwood has finished this stageCity of Waterloo Council will consider a request from the Region of Waterloo to negotiate an agreement regarding reduced parking requirements for 555 Beechwood.
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Neighbourhood Meetings on August 19th
Affordable Housing in Beechwood has finished this stageAttend the virtual sessions, listen to the recording of the sessions, or participate in a survey to give your feedback on building design and site features
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Survey closes Monday October 18th
Affordable Housing in Beechwood is currently at this stage
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FAQs
- 1. I received a flyer about this from a neighbour and I live close to the proposed development. Why were the flyers not more widely distributed?
- 2. The flyer seems to indicate that this housing is coming and so we have no say in the development process. How can the plan have been established without having engaged the community?
- 3. When and how was the Residential Mixed-Use Zone 20 (RMU20) applied to this property?
- 4. We were told that this land would never be developed. How can this be happening?
- 5. I believe that this affordable housing development will negatively affect my property values and the aesthetic of the neighbourhood. Is this correct?
- 6. Will this community become less safe?
- 7. Are there rules limiting the amount of affordable housing in a community?
- 8. The traffic on Beechwood Dr. is already a problem – people drive too fast, don’t stop, and use the road as a thoroughfare. I am worried this development will make it worse.
- 9. There is not enough greenspace in our neighbourhood and building on this piece of land will make it worse. Why are you taking away our greenspace?
- 10. Why is this development not along the LRT? Inclusionary zoning mandates affordable housing only around transit stations. This is not around a major transit station.
- 11. What other sites were considered and how was the selection made?
- 12. Who will own the land and manage the property?
- 13. How do I get on the list to be able to live in this housing? I have been on the waiting list for 5 years. I am a senior with mobility issues.
- 14. Why is there a construction trailer on site?
- 15. How much land does the Region have that could be used for projects like this? And is there other land in this area that could be used in this way?
- 16. How does this project contribute to our target to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions if we are increasing vehicle exhaust and removing trees?
- 17. This project (as well as the one at 508 Beechwood) will bring many more people into the neighbourhood. Do we have the infrastructure needed to support this density?
Documents for download
- Request for Proposals (1.87 MB) (pdf)
- Regional Council report with Design Guidelines.pdf (464 KB) (pdf)
- Summary_of_Design_Suggestions_-_555_Beechwood.pdf (425 KB) (pdf)
- Town Hall Presentation June 25 and 26.pdf (416 KB) (pdf)
- Region of Waterloo 10 year Housing and Homelessness Plan
- City of Waterloo Strategic Plan
- Beechwood flyer.pdf (517 KB) (pdf)
- P2020-14_Region_of_Waterloo_Surplus_Land_For_Affordable_Housing.DOCX (4.03 MB) (DOCX)
- Notes_from_Beechwood_Community_Outreach_meetings_-_April_29th.pdf (143 KB) (pdf)
- Response to Community Engagement and Survey Comments.pdf (874 KB) (pdf)
Who's Listening
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Phone 519-575-4400 x3442 Email Beechwood@regionofwaterloo.ca -
Phone 519-575-4400 x3442 Email Beechwood@regionofwaterloo.ca