Updating the City of Waterloo Official Plan

Waterloo 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

Waterloo is a growing city. Our strong and diverse economy and local facilities and services provide residents with a high quality of life, making Waterloo an attractive place for people to live, work, play and learn. Waterloo has a young and growing population with a knowledge-based economy. The overall goal of economic development is to improve the economic well being, quality of life and vitality of the community.

Economic development is intended to build on the strengths of the community through various programs, polices and strategies to ensure a healthy and vibrant economy with opportunities for growth and sustainability. In addition to the initiatives of the City of Waterloo Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2024, the city’s Official Plan plays a role in promoting economic development by planning for the conditions to make the city an attractive place in which to live and invest.

More detail is available in the Economic Development and Innovation issue brief, including:

Existing Conditions/Initiatives

• Economic development initiatives (such as the small business centre, community improvement plan, business directory, and arts and cultural development
• Employment areas
• Planning for a strong and sustainable economy
• Waterloo as a creative and sustainable city
• Knowledge and technology
• Strong and vibrant uptown

Strategic Directions and Policy Considerations

• Support a diverse range of employment and commercial opportunities
• Enhance support for arts heritage and culture, by strengthening public realm policies and accommodating a wide range arts and cultural land uses
• Strengthen ties to academic and start-up communities

The natural environment and climate change resilience play a critical role in the health and wellbeing of our community. Natural areas like woodlands, wetlands, and creek corridors contribute to environmental health by replenishing groundwater, regulating flood waters, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and offering critical habitat for wildlife. These areas also provide cultural and economic opportunities for recreation, nature appreciation, tourism, research, and education.

The Official Plan review provides an opportunity for the city to strengthen and update our environment and climate change policies to reflect Provincial and Regional policy changes, new local master plans, advances in climate research and modelling, and best practices. Forward thinking policies are required for the continued adaptation and transformational change needed to address this issue.

More detail is available in the Environment and Climate Change issue brief, including:

Existing Conditions/Initiatives

• Our region is projected to become "warmer, wetter and wilder"
• Achieving an 80% reduction in our emissions by 2050 will require transformational change
• Waterloo is preparing for a changing climate
• Waterloo’s natural heritage system supports local biodiversity and can help us reduce our vulnerability to climate change

Strategic Directions

• Integrate mitigation and adaptation considerations into all long term policy and development and infrastructure planning
• Support low impact, energy efficient, and climate resilient development
• Facilitate adoption of appropriate community energy systems
• Plan for compact, mixed use, and walkable communities
• Support public transit, active transportation, and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure
• Identify and protect significant natural areas and their ecological functions

Policy Considerations

• Align with Provincial and Regional policy directions
• Align policies with city master plans and strategies
• Review policies pertaining to the built environment
• Implement goals and actions of the corporate and community-focused climate change plans and the Community Energy Investment Strategy.
• Update the natural heritage system mapping with the best available data sources
• Identify additional actions that are needed to achieve broader natural heritage objectives
• Review and clarify floodplain policies
• Review holding provision policies that guide implementation of floodplain policies
• Review and update source water protection policies and mapping

One of the ways in which the City of Waterloo is planning for population growth (we are expected to reach 160,183 permanent residents and students by 2041) is by increasing our housing density in certain designated areas. While planning for more living units in a smaller space, we also need to consider people of all levels of income, abilities, and at different life stages. In planning for complete communities, we help ensure a variety of housing types and tenures (financial arrangements for living, such as tenant or owner-occupied) at different price points, all close to transit, employment and amenities.

The Official Plan review will evaluate existing policies and explore new policies for the development of complete communities and ensure the provision of a diversity of housing types, tenures and costs throughout the city.

More detail is available in the Housing Affordability and Equity issue brief, including:

Existing Conditions/Initiatives

• Intensification in strategic growth areas is an opportunity to create more complete communities
• Increasing housing density
• Housing affordability is declining
• Housing is needed for all life stages
• New provincial and regional policies

Strategic Directions

• Planning for a sufficient supply of all housing types
• Planning for a sufficient supply of affordable housing
• Supporting existing and emerging complete communities

Policy Considerations

• Review residential land use policies
• Clarify and simplify urban design policies
• Review and confirm appropriate measurement of residential density
• Define and support the development of a full range of housing forms on the housing continuum
• Strengthen the planning and regulatory incentives to encourage the creation of new affordable housing
• Strengthen policy framework to limit demolition and conversion of affordable housing
• Support existing and emerging complete communities

Arts, culture and heritage play a critical role in the vibrancy and vitality of Waterloo. Cultural activities and sites contribute to the well-being of society and individuals: they bring communities together, improve our health and happiness, and contribute to a diverse and tolerant society. Culture also contributes to Waterloo’s economic growth and development by attracting people and businesses to the city and encouraging those already here to stay. Creative industries also contribute to a Waterloo’s overall economic prosperity.

A network of streets, public trails and parkettes connect and support our community spaces and often serve as social and cultural spaces as well. As the city continues to grow and intensify, these private and public spaces will also need to grow and adapt to accommodate more people and a wider variety of uses.

More detail is available in the Neighbourhoods, Communities and Culture issue brief, including:

Existing Conditions/Initiatives

• Supporting Waterloo’s intensifying areas
• Neighbourhood Community Hubs
• Waterloo’s arts, culture and heritage sectors

Strategic Directions

• Plan for a sufficient number and equitable distribution of high quality public spaces and facilities to support all city neighbourhoods
• Plan for a well-designed and interconnected privately-owned public space network
• Enable existing, expanding and new creative industries and cultural activities
• Support a convenient, safe and accessible multi-modal transportation network that links residents to cultural spaces and community facilities
• Ensure policies reflect relevant changes to Provincial policy and legislation

Policy Considerations

• Strengthen policies related to the public realm, including urban design and distribution of parks and open space
• Ensure full range of arts and culture land uses are accommodated where possible in land use policies
• Celebrate and elevate the role City of Waterloo Museum and collections
• Update, clarify and strengthen heritage and archaeological resource conservation policies

The process cities follow to make policy and planning decisions has a big impact on public trust. Decisions made at the municipal level often have a direct impact on daily life, and there is a growing interest, expectation and ability to participate in local decision making processes. We recognize that engaging with the public gives us a greater range of perspectives on an issue, which can lead to better decisions and improve our community’s understanding of why those decisions were made. Open and transparent processes can show that community input and feedback, as well as available data and technical expertise, are all taken into account.

The Official Plan review is an opportunity to review our engagement policies and methods make sure they meet the requirements and accessibility needs of the legislation and our community. The city can also consider how to increase the opportunities for meaningful engagement, and help overcome some of the barriers that prevent people from participating.

More detail is available in the Planning Processes and Public Consultation issue brief, including:

Existing Conditions/Initiatives

• Public engagement is a cornerstone of local planning and decision making
• Engagement with key people, including those from underrepresented groups, can lead to more equitable and inclusive decision making
• There is an opportunity to expand on and update the way the city engages with the public
• Implementation beyond engagement

Strategic Directions

• Encourage participation in land use planning processes by all sectors of the population, including people of different ethnic backgrounds, languages, cultures, ages and abilities
• Enhance awareness and understanding of planning issues and decisions
• Continue to provide sufficient opportunity for involvement by those affected by planning decisions
• Ensure implementation tools and processes are updated

Policy Considerations

• Clarify and simplify policies
• Update engagement approaches
• Identify where possible, the means, method and timing of public meetings, notices and other forms of engagement in advance of planning decisions
• Consider a searchable and centralized location for planning applications
• Modify policy to provide for alternative notice requirements
• Review appropriateness of existing amendment formats
• Clarify and update the types of studies that could be requested
• Update municipal incentive policies related to Height and Density Bonusing.
• Review Development Charges and Parkland Dedication policies
• Integrate efficiencies/changes to planning process

Moving around the city is something most people do on a daily basis. Some trips are with a specific purpose, such as going to work, school or shopping. Other trips are taken for recreation and leisure, such as walking or biking along a community trail. Whatever the motivation, how we move around is closely related to land use. How we get around in Waterloo impacts our quality of life. The day-to-day experience of moving around is not always positive because of concerns like road safety, air quality or traffic congestion. Waterloo, like most urban municipalities, is still heavily reliant on only one mode of transportation: the private automobile.

The Official Plan aims to promote and prioritize more sustainable modes of transportation, while still planning for automobile-based travel. Ensuring that proper infrastructure is in place to accommodate various transportation modes and amenities is one of the best ways to allow better connections between people and the places they need to go.

More detail is available in the Transportation and Mobility issue brief, including:.

Existing Conditions/Initiatives

• Updated Transportation Master Plan
• Major Transit Station Areas
• Trails and open spaces, road network policies, transportation and mobility approach
  
  

Strategic Directions

• Continue to facilitate a complete streets approach
• Encourage transportation choices that support the achievement of the city’s climate change objectives and emissions targets
• Plan for emerging transportation technologies
  
  

Policy Considerations

• Update Official Plan Policy as outlined in the Transportation Master Plan
• Encourage improvements to cycling and pedestrian infrastructure and experiences
• Support the 20-minute city concept
• Plan for emerging transportation technologies
• Potential to clarify and streamline existing policies related to transportation

The role of an Official Plan is to guide growth and change related to land use over the next 20 to 30 years. The Official Plan contains principles, goals and objectives established by the community, which describe and coordinate how land in the city should be used and developed. The Official Plan is used to plan for both short-term and long-term growth and development while taking into consideration important social, environmental, economic, and cultural issues, goals and values.

Official Plans have legal status and derive their authority from the Ontario Planning Act. All municipal public works and by‑laws must conform to the Official Plan.

More detail is available in the Vision and Strategic Plan issue brief, including:

Existing Conditions/Initiatives

• Official Plan: Community Vision Statement
• City of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan 2019-2022

Strategic Directions

• Incorporate an equity lens to policy considerations
• Apply a sustainability and climate change lens to land use policy and decisions
• Plan for safe and sustainable transportation for all modes of transportation
• Support and maintain healthy and resilient neighbourhoods
• Plan for efficient use, maintenance and strategic expansion of facilities and assets to meet current and forecasted population
• Foster a robust and diversified economy

Policy Considerations

• Equity and inclusion
• Sustainability and climate change
• Safe and sustainable transportation
• Healthy and resilient neighbourhoods
• Infrastructure and growth management
• Economic development

NOTICE OF A SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING

CITY OF WATERLOO OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW

Take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Waterloo will hold an electronic Special Public Meeting, pursuant to Section 26 of the Planning Act, on December 7, 2020 at a time to be determined. The purpose of the meeting is to initiate the ten-year review of the City of Waterloo Official Plan (OP). The Planning Act of Ontario requires that new Official Plans must be revised ten years after coming onto effect in order to ensure that they conform with provincial plans, have regard for matters of provincial interest and are consistent with provincial policy statements. The City OP ten-year review will also consider the local context to assess whether revisions to address local issues, opportunities, plans and trends may be warranted.

To facilitate discussion at the Special Public Meeting, a staff report (IPPW2020-060) has been prepared, outlining a proposed Terms of Reference for the Official Plan Review as well as providing a preliminary issues list that may inform potential revisions to the OP.

This meeting shall constitute the Special Public Meeting required under Section 26 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, as amended. It is anticipated that at the conclusion of the public meeting, Council will decide whether to approve the Terms of Reference.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

The purpose of the public meeting is to share information and to hear and consider public and stakeholder comments regarding the Official Plan as part of City Council’s decision making process. The public is invited to watch and/or listen to the remote meeting on youtube.com/citywaterloo/live and may participate by submitting written comments in advance of the public meeting and/or arranging to speak to the subject. Council shall have regard to any written submissions about what revisions may be required to the OP and shall give any person who attends the special public meeting an opportunity to be heard on that subject. Names, addresses and comments may be made public.

TO SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS

You can submit written comments, no later than 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 to ensure your comments are included in the City Council Agenda, in the following ways:

Via email to clerkinfo@waterloo.ca

By dropping off a hardcopy at Waterloo City Hall, addressed to the office of the City Clerk, 3rd floor, 100 Regina St S, Waterloo, ON

By placing a hardcopy in the after hours mail slot beside the side door entrance on William St E

All written submission should clearly state “Special Public Meeting, December 7, Official Plan Review” at the top of the letter/correspondence.

TO SPEAK AT THE MEETING

If you wish to speak to the subject, please contact the Legislative Services Division no later than 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2020 by any of the following ways:

By phone at 519-747-8705

By email to clerkinfo@waterloo.ca

When we receive your registration, we will send you a confirmation message and instructions for participating in the remote public meeting. Instructions will also be provided during the meeting to ensure that those watching the remote public meeting will be given the opportunity to speak.

For further information regarding the above matter or to receive a copy of planning report IPPW2020-060, please contact the City of Waterloo Planning Division, 2nd Floor, Waterloo City Centre, Waterloo, Ontario, by contacting Michelle Lee at 519-747-6068 or michelle.lee@waterloo.ca