Sam Hiemstra
City/Township Council · Wilmot Ward 4
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
- Require detailed cost and risk analysis before approving
- Prioritize infill and intensification where infrastructure
- Use development phasing tied to infrastructure capacity
- 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 4 per part
A. Planning & zoning tools
No response B. Managing neighbourhood opposition
- Use public engagement to inform design, not to veto density
- 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
- Use development charges or conditions to fund needed upgrades
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
Land banking is not productive for growth and I am interested in researching more on the tools available to hinder its persistence.