City of Waterloo council summary for Sept. 24, 2018
** The council summary below provides a snapshot of the major items presented at this evening’s council meeting. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.
Re-roofing contract for RIM Park and Albert McCormick Community Centre
Council has approved the re-roofing of RIM Park Sportsplex and Albert McCormick Community Centre for just over $1.1 million. The contract was awarded to Eileen Roofing Inc. following a competitive bidding process.
Condominium conversion application – 49 Columbia Street W.
Council has approved a request to convert 49 Columbia Street West from rental to ownership units. The property is a four-storey apartment building, with 18 five-bedroom units and 18 parking spots.
Uptown Public Realm: draft strategy and Privately-Owned Publicly Accessible Spaces guidelines for consultation
Council has approved a draft Uptown Public Realm Strategy and Draft Privately-Owned Publicly Accessible Spaces (POPS) Guidelines. The strategy and guidelines will now be circulated to interested stakeholders for feedback before they are finalized.
The Draft Uptown Public Realm Strategy is visual, detailed and provides the framework for quick implementation actions and ‘tactical urbanism’ as well as longer term efforts that could occur over an extended period of time. It examines five systems that contribute to Uptown’s public realm, including: (i) parks and open space; (ii) connectivity; (iii) urban form; (iv) heritage; and, (v) public art and culture. For each of these systems, an overview of the existing conditions is provided as well as goals and specific actions for moving forward. In general, the Draft Strategy recognizes that Uptown has a diversity of spaces and opportunities within the public realm, but suggests improvements that will better meet the needs of the public, particularly as uptown intensifies as a focal point for growth within the city and the region. These include redesigning, programming and enhancing existing spaces and streets as well as creating new spaces and connections.
As outlined in the Draft Uptown Public Realm Strategy, a key opportunity moving forward will involve ensuring that as development occurs, there is a clear understanding of the City’s objectives and priorities in relation to POPS. These are spaces that are privately owned and managed, but are accessible to the public, usually through agreements that are negotiated as part of the development application review process.
Green Building Policy for city-owned buildings
Council has endorsed a new Green Building Policy for city-owned buildings which is adopting greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 80 per cent below 2010 levels by 2050. The target is directed at the entire community and in support, the city intends to embark in that direction on its own facilities.
2015-2018 Strategic Plan – final 2018 progress report
Council received an update report on progress made on the 65 strategic plan initiatives in Council’s 2015-2018 strategic plan. It highlights efficiencies realized, innovation initiated and awards offered and received by the City of Waterloo. Our performance dashboard and community yearbook complement this progress update. As this council term comes to a close, the development of a new strategic plan is being initiated. A new plan is expected to be finalized in June 2019.
Informal public meeting
Zoning by-law amendment Z-18-12, 400 Northfield Drive West, The Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Huron
The applicant is proposing to permit the redevelopment of the property with a new church and 84 stacked townhouses. The applicant is requesting the property be rezoned from Institutional-4 to Medium Density Three with site specific rates for parking, interior side yard, setback, landscaped open space and common recreational area. The applicant is also proposing to change the density calculation from units per hectare to bedrooms per hectare. During an informal public hearing, Council is receiving information about the planning review and proposed amendments for information, and asks questions for clarification. No decisions or opinions of council are shared at this stage.
Zoning by-law amendment Z-18-14, 319, 337 and 343 Woolwich Street
The applicant is proposing to rezone the subject lands from Agriculture to Residential and Medium Density Three to allow the development of 10 single detached homes and 22 townhouse units. The applicant has requested that the Medium Density Three zone include site-specific provisions for landscape open space and common recreation area. During an informal public hearing, Council is receiving information about the planning review and proposed amendments for information, and asks questions for clarification. No decisions or opinions of council are shared at this stage.
Media contact:
Janice Works
Communications specialist
519-747-8731
janice.works@waterloo.ca