City of Waterloo council summary June 26, 2023
** The council summary provides a snapshot of the major items presented at council. Please refer to the Council minutes for an official record of the meeting. The recorded meeting can also be viewed on the City of Waterloo youtube channel**
Council approves sustainable, future-ready strategic plan
Council approved the new 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, defining the focus and priorities for Council and staff for the next four years. The plan, representing the collaborative efforts of community, staff and Council, includes a new vision, a new mission and updated guiding principles that encompass the values of the community and the City. The new strategic plan also includes five strategic priorities to guide departmental planning and future decision-making for this term of Council. More information on the strategic plan is available in an earlier news release.
Council approves winter sidewalk service enhancements for improved accessibility
Council approved the Winter Sidewalk Maintenance Service Enhancement recommendations to support improved winter accessibility. Staff considered the results of the internal service review, community input and engagement, and Council’s feedback and prioritization from the May 29, 2023 workshop to develop a fiscally and environmentally sustainable approach to improve the City’s current hybrid model of sidewalk snow clearing.
The implementation plan includes phases of improvements made over the three years of the 2024 to 2026 budget, to take effect beginning in 2024.
Service improvements for the 2024/2025 winter season will include:
- Prioritize clearing of City-maintained multi-use trails within 800 metres of a school zone within 12 hours of a snow storm.
- Clearing of windrows from crosswalks at intersections.
- Additional accessibility supports for people with disabilities.
- Assisted services contract for people with a physical and/or financial need.
- Customer service support to improve the complaint reporting system.
- By-law enforcement (the current service level of three enforcement officers, piloted in 2020, would become permanent).
Services will expand further in the 2025/2026 winter season to include snow loading and hauling to clear 30 km of curb-faced sidewalk, and in the 2026/2027 winter season to include clearing an additional 25 km of sidewalk along regional roads.
Although implementation of the winter sidewalk service improvements will begin in the 2024/2025 winter season, staff plan to implement an updated winter sidewalk communications plan for the 2023/2024 winter season, in support of winter sidewalk accessibility.
Council amends zoning by-law and official plan to support housing development
Council approved general amendments to the City’s Zoning By-law to align with recent changes to provincial legislation with respect to Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, and Bill 109, More Homes for Everyone Act. Amendments primarily relate to additional dwelling unit and coach house regulations, and site plan control requirements for Northdale Holding Symbol removal.
Council also approved housekeeping amendments to the City’s Official Plan in response to provincial legislation with the goal to increase housing supply and streamline development approvals. Approvals support:
- More robust pre-application consultation requirements.
- “Withdrawal and lapsing of application” procedures.
- Updates to public meeting and notification procedures, including greater reliance on electronic material and communications.
- Delegated authority to staff for the approval of minor by-law amendments.
- The addition of staff to further improve processing capacity and timelines.
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Media contact:
Cari Van Niekerk
Acting Director, Corporate Communications
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca