Updating the City of Waterloo Official Plan
About the project
We are updating our Official Plan throughout 2024. Follow this project page to stay informed of public engagement opportunities and updates. The City of Waterloo’s Official Plan is an important document that guides land use decision-making for the city. It represents council's vision for growth and change within the city, guided by the public interest.
The Official Plan was approved in 2012, but under provincial requirements, the plan must be reviewed every 10 years. A review of the city’s Official Plan will ensure the plan meets updated provincial planning requirements and is an opportunity to address local issues, needs and ensure the plan is consistent with any other policy documents that may have changed since the initial approval of the plan.
Getting involved
Feel free to ask questions using the Questions section. Sign up to get regular updates using the Follow Project feature, or provide comments and share your ideas using the Comments section on this this page.
About the project
We are updating our Official Plan throughout 2024. Follow this project page to stay informed of public engagement opportunities and updates. The City of Waterloo’s Official Plan is an important document that guides land use decision-making for the city. It represents council's vision for growth and change within the city, guided by the public interest.
The Official Plan was approved in 2012, but under provincial requirements, the plan must be reviewed every 10 years. A review of the city’s Official Plan will ensure the plan meets updated provincial planning requirements and is an opportunity to address local issues, needs and ensure the plan is consistent with any other policy documents that may have changed since the initial approval of the plan.
Getting involved
Feel free to ask questions using the Questions section. Sign up to get regular updates using the Follow Project feature, or provide comments and share your ideas using the Comments section on this this page.
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Notice: Public Open House and Public Meeting
Share Notice: Public Open House and Public Meeting on Facebook Share Notice: Public Open House and Public Meeting on Twitter Share Notice: Public Open House and Public Meeting on Linkedin Email Notice: Public Open House and Public Meeting linkThe City will be hosting a public open house and a public meeting on the Official Plan Review. Please see the Public Notice for more details and information.
OPEN HOUSE
An opportunity to review and discuss the proposed updated Official Plan with representatives of the Municipality.
Date: Thursday September 12th, 2024
Times: Afternoon Session, 2:00-4:00 pm
Evening Session, 5:00-8:00 pm
Location: Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex (WMRC) - Community Pavilion. 101 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo
PUBLIC MEETING
To hear and consider community comments regarding the Official Plan Review.
Date: Monday September 23, 2024
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, Waterloo City Centre, 100 Regina Street South, Waterloo
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Official Plan Review Library Pop-up Sessions!
Share Official Plan Review Library Pop-up Sessions! on Facebook Share Official Plan Review Library Pop-up Sessions! on Twitter Share Official Plan Review Library Pop-up Sessions! on Linkedin Email Official Plan Review Library Pop-up Sessions! linkThe City is undertaking a required review of the Official Plan, which is the plan that helps shape and direct land use and growth in the city over the next 20-30 years. City staff will be at a few pop-up sessions at our local libraries to share what is being proposed in the draft Official Plan and answer your land use and growth related questions. Come by to see what is in the draft Official Plan and how you can get involved. City staff will be available at the following dates and times:
Location
Date
Time
John M. Harper Branch
August 7
5-7 pm
East Side Branch
Augus 14
5-7 pm
Main Branch – Weekly Night Market
August 15
7-10pm
John M. Harper Branch
August 17
2-4
McCormic Branch
August 20
2-4 pm
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Draft Updated Official Plan - June 2024
Share Draft Updated Official Plan - June 2024 on Facebook Share Draft Updated Official Plan - June 2024 on Twitter Share Draft Updated Official Plan - June 2024 on Linkedin Email Draft Updated Official Plan - June 2024 linkThe City of Waterloo is undertaking a required review of the Official Plan. This first draft of the updated Official Plan is intended to refine existing policies and mapping to reflect current best practices in urban planning, and to update for consistency with legislation and Provincial and Regional policies and plans. The draft updates to the Official Plan also address local considerations and input received to-date from community consultation.
A phased approach to the Official Plan review is being used. This first phase includes updates to policies relating to the city structure, land use policies, and implementation. Several Official Plan maps, called “Schedules”, have been updated as well. The remaining chapters of the Official Plan will be reviewed and updated in later phases of the Official Plan Review process.
What is an Official Plan
The Official Plan provides city-wide direction on growth management, land use planning, and development related matters over the course of a 30-year timeframe. The goal is to provide direction through land use and planning policy to achieve the City’s intended vison for growth and community, while limiting overly specific and technical details, which are better left to technical planning tools, such as zoning by-laws.
The Official Plan review identifies several priority focus areas that form the basis of the review. Many of the priority areas of focus were identified through early stages of the Official Plan Review consultation. Priorities include:
- facilitating housing and refining urban form*;
- streamlining and clarifying policies; and,
- encouraging compact complete communities
City staff will be inviting residents, property owners, business owners, developers, various interest groups, committees, agencies, and associations to participate in the consultation process. A public Open House on the draft Official Plan will be scheduled in late summer/early fall.
* "Urban Form" refers to how different parts of the city including Nodes, Station Areas, corridors that connect them, and neighbourhood areas all fit and work together.
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Commercial and Employment Policy Study Review: Summary Report
Share Commercial and Employment Policy Study Review: Summary Report on Facebook Share Commercial and Employment Policy Study Review: Summary Report on Twitter Share Commercial and Employment Policy Study Review: Summary Report on Linkedin Email Commercial and Employment Policy Study Review: Summary Report linkAs part of the review of the Waterloo Official Plan, urbanMetrics along with Gladki Planning associates, has prepared a summary report for the Commercial and Employment Policy Study (CEPS) on behalf of the City. You can find the report here.
The report provides an overview of commercial and employment market trends, an inventory analysis, best practices and policy recommendations. The directions from the report will help inform updated commercial and employment policies and framework for the Official Plan.
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Shopping patterns survey
Share Shopping patterns survey on Facebook Share Shopping patterns survey on Twitter Share Shopping patterns survey on Linkedin Email Shopping patterns survey linkThe shopping patters survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated. The survey responses will help us make informed decisions that will strengthen the shape and character of our commercial areas, including shops, services and restaurants.
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Understanding planning in Waterloo
Share Understanding planning in Waterloo on Facebook Share Understanding planning in Waterloo on Twitter Share Understanding planning in Waterloo on Linkedin Email Understanding planning in Waterloo linkFrom November 9-December 1, the City of Waterloo will host the 3rd annual Neighbourhood Summit through a series of virtual sessions. The summit will bring together neighbours from across the city to build capacity, share information and network.
On November 25th from 7:00-8:30 p.m., the Official Plan Review team will host an “Understanding Planning in Waterloo” workshop. This workshop will share high-level information about urban planning in Waterloo and provide details on how neighbours can get involved/stay informed.
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Beechwood Park Cultural Heritage Landscape Review
Share Beechwood Park Cultural Heritage Landscape Review on Facebook Share Beechwood Park Cultural Heritage Landscape Review on Twitter Share Beechwood Park Cultural Heritage Landscape Review on Linkedin Email Beechwood Park Cultural Heritage Landscape Review linkWe are looking for your input on whether the Beechwood Park neighbourhood should be included on the City of Waterloo's inventory of significant cultural heritage landscapes. We want to determine whether further study and review of this neighbourhood should be done as part of the City’s Official Plan review and update. Cultural heritage landscapes are heritage areas that have been identified by the community as important. Designation as a cultural heritage landscape serves as a starting point for future planning initiatives and actions (subject to community consultation and council approval) to ensure that significant heritage features are celebrated, enhanced and conserved as the city grows and develops. Visit the Beechwood Park project page to review the information on cultural heritage landscapes and then let us know what you think.
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Public Open House - June 17 2021
Share Public Open House - June 17 2021 on Facebook Share Public Open House - June 17 2021 on Twitter Share Public Open House - June 17 2021 on Linkedin Email Public Open House - June 17 2021 linkAt the Official Plan Review Open House (held June 17, 2021) staff shared information on what the Official Plan is, why it is being reviewed, the study process, and how interested people can help identify priorities for the review.
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Official Plan Issue Briefs
Share Official Plan Issue Briefs on Facebook Share Official Plan Issue Briefs on Twitter Share Official Plan Issue Briefs on Linkedin Email Official Plan Issue Briefs linkThe City of Waterloo Official Plan is a large, complicated document. To help focus on specific areas during the review, the project team has identified eight issues that are important considerations in the review process. We've summarized each of these issues on its own project page, including an overview of the issue, and a list of the existing conditions, strategic directions, and policy considerations for that issue. Further details on those conditions and considerations are available in the issue brief PDF documents, linked from the specific project pages and available in our Document library. Important Waterloo facts and trends which we also need to consider as we review the Official Plan are included in our Key Facts and Trends Infographic or our Key Facts and Trends Report.
Official Plan Review Issue Briefs
- City Growth, Structure and Form A particular hierarchy and urban structure are the main building blocks of the city.
- Economic Development and Innovation Promoting economic development by planning for the conditions to make the city an attractive place in which to live and invest.
- Environment and Climate Change Forward thinking environment and climate change policies are required for the continued adaptation and transformational change needed to address this issue.
- Housing Affordability and Equity Addressing the need for a diversity of housing types, tenures (financial arrangements for living, such as tenant or owner-occupied) and costs throughout the city.
- Neighbourhoods, Communities and Culture Arts, culture and heritage play a critical role in the vibrancy and vitality of Waterloo, and cultural activities and sites contribute to the well-being of society and individuals.
- Planning Processes and Public Consultation Our engagement policies and methods need to meet the requirements and accessibility needs of the legislation and our community.
- Transportation and Mobility Proper infrastructure accommodating various transportation modes and amenities is one of the best ways to allow better connections between people and the places they need to go.
- Vision and Strategic Plan Principles, goals and objectives established by the community, which describe and coordinate how land in the city should be used and developed.
If you have Questions or Comments while reviewing these materials, our project team would love to hear from you. -
City Growth Structure and Form
Share City Growth Structure and Form on Facebook Share City Growth Structure and Form on Twitter Share City Growth Structure and Form on Linkedin Email City Growth Structure and Form linkWaterloo is a growing city with a young and well-educated population. The city’s high quality of life makes it an attractive place for people to live, work and learn. Our growth needs to be managed to ensure that Waterloo continues to be an attractive, functional and inclusive community, and that our community infrastructure is used efficiently. Management of growth and the opportunities it presents is a key function of the Official Plan.
Waterloo’s Official Plan outlines a particular hierarchy and urban structure, which are the main building blocks of the city. These structural components include:
- Uptown Waterloo (also known as the Urban Growth Centre): the urban centre of the city, identified by the province as the focus area for growth as well as the civic and cultural centre of the city.
- Major and Minor Nodes: generally located at intersection of major roads, these are mixed-use areas that allow for higher density development and may include commercial uses including grocery stores.
- Major and Minor Corridors: these areas are generally located along major roads and transit routes in the city and connect nodes. Corridors also allow for higher density and mixed use development.
More recently, the city added land use policies for Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) for the areas around the ION LRT stops. The detailed land use policies for these areas identify where and what type of development is permitted, and include important land use considerations such urban design, compatible uses, and heights and densities.
More detail is available in the City Growth Structure and Form issue brief, including:
Existing Conditions/Initiatives
- Fewer greenfields
- Major transit station areas
- Update to the Urban Design Manual
- Focus on employment areas
Strategic Directions- Continue to plan for projected residential and employment growth
- Review and refine land use policies for remaining greenfield areas
- Refine city structure to align with city, regional and provincial requirements
Policy Considerations- Planning for growth in strategic growth areas
- Consider the policies and land use designations to enable services and facilities needed to support growth
- Refine employment area framework to reflect boundary and policy changes
- Refine commercial land use framework to ensure an appropriate mix and location of commercial land uses
- Refine residential, commercial and employment land use designation policies reflect changing demographics and market trends
- Strengthen urban design policies into the Official Plan in accordance with the Urban Design Manual
FAQs
- What is an Official Plan?
- What does an Official Plan do?
- What is an Official Plan Review?
- Why undertake a review now?
- How will the review be undertaken?
- Why is the City of Waterloo growing?
- Where is the city growing?
- How is growth being managed?
- How can I find information on development applications?
Upcoming Events
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September 12 2024
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September 23 2024
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August 07 → August 20 2024
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June 24 2024
Document Library
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Open House and Public Meeting Notice_Sept 2024.pdf (125 KB) (pdf)
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Combined OP and Maps_June 2024.pdf (29.8 MB) (pdf)
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(2022-09-20) Waterloo Commercial and Employment Area Review_AODA_FINAL.pdf (7.05 MB) (pdf)
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Issue Briefs
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City Growth, Structure and Form (466 KB) (pdf)
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Economic Development and Innovation (354 KB) (pdf)
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Environment and Climate Change (366 KB) (pdf)
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Housing Affordability and Equity (383 KB) (pdf)
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Neighbourhoods, Communities and Culture (324 KB) (pdf)
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Planning Processes and Public Consultation (307 KB) (pdf)
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Transportation and Mobility (302 KB) (pdf)
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Vision and Strategic Plan (378 KB) (pdf)
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Key Facts and Trends Infographic (992 KB) (pdf)
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Council Report - Key Facts and Trends - June 2021.pdf (1.33 MB) (pdf)
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Council report - Official Plan Terms of Reference - Dec 2020.pdf (231 KB) (pdf)
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2016 Census Profiles - City of Waterloo.pdf (14.2 MB) (pdf)
Videos
Who's Listening
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RM
Phone 519-747-8518 Email ric.martins@waterloo.ca