Rami Said
Regional Council · Region of Waterloo
Back to candidatesGrowth & 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
- Prioritize infill and intensification where infrastructure
- Use development phasing tied to infrastructure capacity
- Require detailed cost and risk analysis before approving
- Limit outward growth unless full lifecycle infrastructure
- Proceed with outward growth to address housing supply
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
- Focus incremental density near transit, schools, and commercial areas
- Allow small-scale housing forms city-wide as-of-right (e.g. up to four units per lot)
- Eliminate parking minimum requirements
B. Managing neighbourhood opposition
- Use public engagement to inform design, not to veto density
- Phase or adjust density in response to neighbourhood concerns about design or servicing capacity
- Require demonstrated city-wide benefits to justify local impacts
C. Infrastructure & servicing
- Approve density where infrastructure capacity already exists
- Pair density approvals with targeted infrastructure upgrades
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
Expand focus on low rise mixed use buildings and conversions of existing underused spaces into mixed use buildings.
Please describe one concrete example of a growth or infrastructure decision you would support or oppose using this approach.candidate's own words
Ensuring we maintain our farmland and focus on infill development.