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

Sandra Hanmer

City/Township Council · Waterloo Ward 1

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All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes
This 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
  1. Use development phasing tied to infrastructure capacity
  2. Prioritize infill and intensification where infrastructure
  3. Require detailed cost and risk analysis before approving
  4. Limit outward growth unless full lifecycle infrastructure
  5. 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
  • 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)
  • Require area-specific planning studies before permitting additional density
B. Managing neighbourhood opposition
  • Ensuring that there are clearly communicated opportunities for public engagement throughout the planning process.
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

I support providing higher density residential buildings near transit stops that include ground-floor commercial space.

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

Our infrastructure deficit needs to be addressed in a timely and fiscally responsible manner. We need to consider how we get to "state of good repair" and create thoughtful expansion at the same time. In order for sustainable expansion to occur, existing infrastructure needs to be solid and in a state of good repair. I would support an approach that encompasses both elements - infrastructure in a state of good repair and sustainable expansion.

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

I would want to better understand the tools are available to municipalities to use and how they would result in encouraging a landowner to develop the property.