Jeyas Balaskanthan
City/Township Council · Waterloo
Back to candidatesThis candidate finalized their responses after this guide and scoring methodology was published.
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
No responseHow should councils balance provincial and regional mandates for increased housing density with neighbourhood opposition and local infrastructure constraints?select up to 4 per part
A. Planning & zoning tools
- Expand as-of-right zoning to reduce case-by-case political decisions on housing forms
- Eliminate parking minimum requirements
- explore ways to reduce the amount of development that is concentrated near arterial roads and highways and expand missing middle development options across neighbourhoods.
B. Managing neighbourhood opposition
- Use public engagement to inform design, not to veto density
C. Infrastructure & servicing
- Approve density where infrastructure capacity already exists
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
As Mayor, I would support the examination of expanded as-of-right permissions for missing-middle housing within established neighbourhoods. For too long we have pushed higher levels of density onto arterial roads and busy intersections that expose renters and new homeowners to high levels of noise and air pollution. Increasing the missing middle doesn’t mean instant change overnight - it means incrementally growing within our city in a way that balances the needs of those who don’t have adequate housing with existing communities.