City of Waterloo Council Summary June 17, 2024

** The council summary below provides a snapshot of the major items presented at Monday’s council meeting. The council meeting webcast is available on the City of Waterloo YouTube page. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.

Phase 2 of Eby Farm Playground to add accessible and inclusive play elements

In May 2023 the City of Waterloo opened the first phase of the new Eby Farm Playground in Waterloo Park, the first accessible surface playground in the City. Feedback from the disability community about the new accessible surface playground indicated that while the rubberized surface improves access to the play area, more could be done to provide a truly inclusive play experience. The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) has asked the City of Waterloo to prioritize improvements to the built environment, and provided extensive input on the design of phase 2 of the Eby Farm Playground. Council approved the funding to begin construction on the expansion of the playground this summer.

Accessible play spaces provide opportunities for people with or without disabilities to use available equipment, while allowing parents, caregivers or siblings with disabilities to supervise or take part in the fun. The Eby Farm Playground expansion will include the following accessible elements:

• ramp with embankment slide
• sensory panels
• sensory tunnel
• horse spring rider
• communication board
• elevated sand table with built-in shade
• sand pit with transfer stations 
• path of travel to nearby parking lot
• picnic tables
• umbrella tables

The expanded playground area will be covered with accessible rubber surfacing that will compliment the phase 1 elements to create a vibrant play area and picnic space for all users. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of November 2024.

New Indoor Community Space Strategy supports alignment of community-focused needs, greenhouse gas reduction initiatives and accessibility improvements

Council approved the Indoor Community Space Strategy, a transformational 10-year plan for the facilities owned and operated by the City of Waterloo. Indoor spaces are used for gathering, recreation, spectating and celebrating; they contribute to community health and well-being and create a sense of belonging. The new strategy provides recommendations to improve existing facilities, increase access and minimize barriers, and to plan for the future. As the City of Waterloo grows, diversifies and requires more and different indoor spaces, the plan supports alignment of community-focused needs, greenhouse gas reduction initiatives and accessibility improvements.

The strategy identifies how spaces are used and advises on projects to address challenges and harness opportunities as the City updates aging facilities and considers new ones. The strategy has 60 recommendations across three major themes:

• Policy and Organizational Recommendations – Improvements to the policies and procedures that govern the use of spaces.
• Facility Recommendations – Suggests improvements to current facilities and spaces.
• Future Recommendations – Data and recommendations to inform future builds. 

The complete list of recommendations is included in the strategy, which was appended to the staff report (page 140 of the council packet), and will be posted to the City’s website.

Waterloo to conduct rental housing regulation review to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the rental market

The City's Residential Rental Licensing By-law (established in 2012 and last reviewed in 2017) is a tool to ensure safety, habitability, and set minimum standards for low-rise rental housing. With the evolving housing landscape, updates to the existing rental regulations may be beneficial as well as potential additional measures to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the rental market. The review and potential updates to Waterloo's rental licensing regulations is a proactive approach to address evolving housing needs, affordability concerns, safety and the evolving dynamics of the rental market while balancing the interests of both tenants and landlords.

Council approved several recommendations directing staff to explore potential regulations and measures to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the rental market:

Current Licensing Regulations review: update the classes of available licences and the fee structure; consider adjustments to the liveable space to bedroom floor area ratio and the current bedroom limit; and implement other minor adjustments to make the licensing application and enforcement process easier, while ensuring minimum safety, maintenance and habitability standards. This should also better account for different living situations and multi-generational households.

Short-Term Rental Licensing: review options to balance concerns for occupant safety, neighbourhood nuisance and the long-term rental housing supply with the benefits of providing temporary accommodation, promoting tourism and providing additional income potential for homeowners.

Mid-Rise/High-Rise Rental Building Safety Program: support the City's growth and density plan by researching increased maintenance and safety standards and proactive approaches to mid and high-rise building maintenance and fire safety concerns, including the potential for safety regulations and regular inspections to safeguard residents' health and well-being.

Rental Eviction or "Renoviction" Regulations: consider allocating a portion of the Affordable Housing Reserve to support existing tenant support programs, and explore the cost-benefit of funding an eviction regulation program vs. a longer-term City Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition program.

Each of these regulations aims to serve specific objectives, such as enhancing tenant safety and the livability of rental units, increasing the long-term rental supply, and ensuring that eviction processes are conducted in a lawful manner. Staff will conduct the reviews (including extensive community engagement) and will return to Council with more information and recommended next steps and, where appropriate, proposed regulations.

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Media contact:

Cari Van Niekerk
Director, Corporate Communications
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca