As part of our ongoing work to enable housing to reach the market more quickly, the City of Waterloo is developing a tool to streamline development approvals in the Uptown Primary Node and Erb Street Corridor. This tool is called a Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) and is a land use planning tool which combines Zoning By-law Amendments, Minor Variances and Site Plan applications into one single application and approval process, enabling housing to reach the market more quickly.

Draft Community Planning Permit By-law and Urban Design Guidelines Released

A draft of the Community Planning Permit (CPP) By-law and Urban Design Guidelines were released on December 6 2024 for review and commenting. The intent is to carry forward the City’s existing Zoning By-law 2018-050 regulations as the foundation of the CPP By-law, with updates as appropriate, and to enable CPPS permissions as afforded by the Planning Act. Some key elements include:

  • more streamlined process combining zoning, minor variance and site plan into one application and approval;
  • replacement of “zones” with “precincts”;
  • more flexibility by introducing:
    • discretionary Uses that define how land can be used if certain conditions and criteria are met;
    • exemptions;
    • Conditions of Approval;
    • ability for staff to approve more types of development applications that vary development standards, where the variation is deemed to be minor in nature (Class 2 applications);
  • enhanced process controls (e.g. complete application and pre-consultation meeting abilities, ability to address site plan-level details);
  • greater certainty and transparency for the community, landowners and developers on contemplated planning outcomes;
  • ability to secure community benefits;
  • ability to support local priorities (e.g. housing diversity, affordable housing, transit-supportive development, urban design, etc.); and
  • urban design guidelines that complement the development regulations.

View the drafts below.

Public input is critical to the success of this initiative, as once the CPP By-law is implemented the opportunities to provide input on new development projects will change based on the type and level of complexity of the proposed development. Please refer to the draft By-law for more information.

Release of Public Engagement Summary

The comments received on the first draft of the Community Planning Permit By-law and Urban Design Guidelines have been complied into a Public Engagement Summary document. In terms of project next steps, the consultants are working on a second draft of the Community Planning Permit By-law and Urban Design Guidelines.

A CPPS and a CPP By-law rely on upfront consultation while these tools are being developed. There will be many opportunities throughout the project process to engage. Project updates will be posted on this page, and you can also request to be placed on the project email list by emailing Tanja.Curic@waterloo.ca

Key actions:

  • Develop a Community Planning Permit System (CPPS).
  • Establish Urban Design Guidelines.
  • Propose an Official Plan Amendment for community and Council consideration.
  • Propose a Community Planning Permit by-law for community and Council consideration.
  • Train staff, communicate new by-law and implement.

Net new units: 50

Implementation timeline: December 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026

Project Location (click map for interactive features)

Background

In 2022, the City had a CPPS Background Study undertaken, which produced the following deliverables that have informed this project (PDFs):

• Community Planning Permit System Study Report

• Community Planning Permit System Education Booklet

• Draft Waterloo Official Plan Policies

*Return to City of Waterloo Housing Accelerator Fund page.

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