Kitchener — Ward 10

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
5. Proceed with outward growth to address housing supply

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

We should be expanding as-of-right zoning for gentle density including triplexes, fourplexes, and garden suites across all residential neighborhoods in Ward 10. Eliminating lengthy, case-by-case political rezoning battles lowers construction costs for local builders and speeds up the delivery of attainable workforce housing. However, density must be paired with infrastructure accountability. I will encourgae council and the region why we should ensure as-of-right approvals are linked to localized utility capacity checks so that water mains, stormwater systems, and neighborhood tree canopies are upgraded alongside new housing development.

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

We should support prioritizing infrastructure reinvestment and infill development along established transit and active transportation corridors, such as the Iron Horse Trail and major arterial roads in Ward 10, over outward greenfield expansion on the city’s perimeter. Developing within established areas maximizes the return on existing municipal infrastructure investments, supports local small businesses, and avoids creating long-term, unfunded road and pipe maintenance liabilities that end up inflating property taxes for working-class residents.

Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on growth?candidate's own words

Responsible growth is not about stopping progress; it is about ensuring that growth genuinely serves our community and pays for its own long-term costs. When evaluating municipal growth through property assessment and financial planning, the goal is always to build consensus across all wards and between government tiers. We can build a stronger Kitchener through three shared commitments: Protecting our regional agricultural greenbelt and aquifer recharge areas while focusing on gentle, walkable density inside our existing neighbourhoods. Ensuring major capital works, like the Mannheim water treatment upgrades and regional electrical grid, are preserved for residential housing and community needs rather than drained by resource-heavy industrial operations like hyperscale AI data centers. Recognizing that Kitchener sits within the Haldimand Tract by developing land stewardship and economic development policies in genuine partnership with local Indigenous organizations. When we bring Council together to plan with fiscal discipline, environmental respect, and collaborative dialogue, we build a Kitchener that remains attainable, resilient, and welcoming for everyone.

Other priority not listed abovecandidate's own words

Requiring complete 50-year lifecycle asset management and full replacement cost modeling before Council considers any settlement boundary 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

To stop land speculation from starving our city of housing, Kitchener must adopt a proactive strategy modeled on Ulm, Germany’s land banking system alongside Ontario’s municipal taxation tools. First, I support leveraging the Municipal Act to establish a Vacant Land Tax Subclass, imposing higher property tax rates on vacant urban lots held purely for financial speculation to incentivize development or sale. Second, the City must enforce strict "use-it-or-lose-it" clause provisions in all municipal Development Agreements, setting mandatory construction start deadlines so developers cannot sit on approved permits while waiting for market prices to inflate. Finally, where land sits chronically neglected, the municipality should explore strategic land acquisition to dedicate those parcels to non-profit, cooperative, and workforce housing development.

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
5. Proceed with outward growth to address housing supply

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-of-right permissions for missing-middle and mid-rise housing in all neighbourhoods (except designated Heritage Conservation Districts).

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

Design neighbourhoods with enough density for efficient transit, utilities, roads, and district energy.

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

Explore a land value tax

1. Prioritize infill and intensification where infrastructure
2. Use development phasing tied to infrastructure capacity
3. Limit outward growth unless full lifecycle infrastructure
4. Require detailed cost and risk analysis before approving
5. Proceed with outward growth to address housing supply

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 supported Kitchener's decision to permit up to four residential units on eligible lots across the city. I also supported its new Official Plan. That creates more housing choices through incremental density within existing neighbourhoods.

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

I have supported substantial growth around major transit areas. Growing Together East alone created planning capacity for more than 35,000 homes around the Block Line, Fairway and future Sportsworld transit areas. My approach is not that every neighbourhood needs exactly the same form or scale of development. I support more housing and greater housing choice, while also considering infrastructure capacity, neighbourhood context, green space and the services required to support growth.

Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on growth?candidate's own words

Kitchener needs more housing, but successful growth also requires water capacity, transportation, parks, community facilities and other infrastructure. I support adding housing in established neighbourhoods and significantly more density around transit while planning the infrastructure and public spaces that allow those neighbourhoods to remain good places to live, where people are proud to live.

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

Municipalities should use the legal tools available to encourage development-ready land to move toward construction rather than remaining vacant indefinitely. I would consider tools such as servicing agreements with clear timelines, phased approvals and expiry provisions where legally available. Before introducing a new tax or charge, I would want evidence that it would actually accelerate development, clear provincial authority to implement it, and an assessment of unintended consequences.