Council Summary February 24, 2025
** 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.
City of Waterloo continues to provide safe, high quality drinking water
Council received the 2024 Drinking Water Annual and Summary Report, reporting on the City’s water quality. The Region of Waterloo is responsible for water treatment and the City is responsible for distribution to customers. The City shares responsibility with the Region to regularly test water and ensure that the standards set out by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) are being met or exceeded. In the most recent inspection by the MECP, the City of Waterloo received a final inspection rating of 100 per cent. The annual report provides assurance to Council and residents that safe, high quality water is being provided and safely managed by the City.
Speed Management plan has positive impact on reducing driver speeds
Staff presented the second annual progress update on the Speed Management plan, noting the positive impact that implementation has had on reducing driver speeds on residential streets. In 2024, speed limits were reduced on residential streets in Wards 4, 5 and 6. Historical speed data was compared to speed data collected after new speed limit signs were installed. Adjusting for potential environmental factors, the Speed Management Plan contributed to 4.4 km/h reduction in the 85th percentile driver speed and a 4.6 km/h reduction in average driver speed in Wards 4, 5 and 6.
The follow-up analysis for Phase 2 from 2023 (school zones, and Wards 2 and 7) shows that the Speed Management Plan continues to have a positive impact on driver speed, and staff are pleased with the speed reduction shown based on the introduction of new speed limit signs. Staff will continue to monitor and address speeding concerns through the network screening process and identify other traffic countermeasures where feasible.
The City of Waterloo's Speed Management Plan is one tool being used by transportation staff to enhance pedestrian safety, cycling and motor vehicle safety and align with Vision Zero principles to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries.
City simplifies parking reductions for affordable housing
Council approved a new intake process and evaluation criteria for affordable housing providers, to streamline and simplify the process to reduce parking requirements for affordable housing developments. This new exemption process, part of the City's Housing Accelerator Fund action plan, will streamline and simplify the process to reduce parking requirements for new housing developments with a substantial affordable housing component.
Parking reductions or exemptions for affordable housing units will be expedited where development meets the following criteria:
- a minimum of 25% of the dwelling units in the development shall be provided as affordable housing units;
- affordable housing units be maintained at affordable prices and rents for a minimum period of 25 years; and
- accessible and visitor parking spaces are provided in accordance with the requirements of the Zoning By-law, calculated based on the amount of parking required prior to any reduction.
The Director of Planning may also reduce the thresholds identified above where circumstances warrant such a reduction, in the public interest. Read more information about the Housing Accelerator Fund Initiative 8: Parking Framework / Approval Process Update.
Council approves property purchase for short-term arts programming, long-term affordable housing
Council approved the purchase of the former St. Columba Church property at 250 Lincoln Road in Waterloo. The church sits on 1.04 acres of land on a corner lot in an existing residential area with excellent access to transit. Identifying municipally owned lands and potential land acquisitions for the development of affordable housing are actions in the City's Affordable Housing Strategy.
Planning estimates show the potential for 12 or more residential units on the site with the current zoning. With an appropriate zone change, planning estimates indicate that the property could fit close to 30 units. This land acquisition is an excellent investment for the City, with the potential to help bring a moderate number of affordable housing units to a well established and well-located neighbourhood.
In the long term, this purchase could help the City achieve its affordable housing target (30 per cent of all new housing units be affordable) and would increase housing supply, affordability, and choice in close proximity to schools, transit, and commercial services. In the short to medium term, the existing building can be used as a City programming space to support the needs of local arts organizations and/or other community groups for up to three years.
Waterloo stands with Team Canada on the issue of tariffs
Mayor McCabe brought forward a motion to endorse the message that tariffs are not in the best interests of Canadian nor American residents, organizations, businesses and employees. The motion recognizes that municipalities have significant purchasing power through capital and infrastructure programs (with the City of Waterloo’s capital program for 2025 being $200 million alone) and that tariffs imposed by the US could lead to a halt of the supply chain and create economic uncertainty in municipalities of all sizes.
In addition to calls for Federal and Provincial support, the unanimously approved motion calls on Waterloo Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), through the Business Economic Support Team Waterloo Region (BEST WR), to develop an action plan to support Waterloo Region businesses and our collective economic interests. City of Waterloo staff will also explore options for limiting the impact of the potential United States’ sanctioned tariffs on City Services and review current procurement processes for opportunities to increase purchases from Canadian sources.
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Media contact:
Cari Van Niekerk
Director, Corporate Communications
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca