All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes

Dorothy McCabe

City/Township Council · Waterloo

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All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes

Growth & Planning

How should councils weigh the long-term cost of maintaining existing infrastructure when making decisions about outward growth and expansion?ranked from highest to lowest importance
  1. Prioritize infill and intensification where infrastructure
  2. Limit outward growth unless full lifecycle infrastructure
  3. Require detailed cost and risk analysis before approving
  4. Use development phasing tied to infrastructure capacity
How should councils balance provincial and regional mandates for increased housing density with neighbourhood opposition and local infrastructure constraints?select up to 3 per part
A. Planning & zoning tools
  • Waterloo has done all of this already except for bullet 5.
B. Managing neighbourhood opposition
  • Staff recommendations regarding development plans must be carefully considered prior to making decisions. They provide expertise which Council must consider.
C. Infrastructure & servicing
  • Planning can't proceed without the necessary infrastructure. Municipalities ability to charge and use DCs has been significantly restricted by the provincial government's new DC Reduction Act program.

Describe one concrete zoning, planning, or development decision you would support (or oppose) that reflects how you would balance these priorities.candidate's own words

My track record on housing approvals speaks for itself. Waterloo has a progressive planning regime.

Please describe one concrete example of a growth or infrastructure decision you would support or oppose using this approach.candidate's own words

I spoke strongly for maintaining the countryside line. Waterloo continue to prioritize infill developments.

What can the municipality/region do, if anything, about land which sits vacant for years because it is being used as an investment (land banking)?candidate's own words

The provincial government has created 'use it or lose' it options for planning approvals which are not being developed. This is a new option which can be utilized.