The Council Round-Up (May 2024)
A snapshot of what's happening in council chambers around Waterloo Region
It’s June - where we not only welcome the official first day of summer later this month, but also honour National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month. Local municipalities have released several statements recognizing these important dates. Kitchener’s mayor, on behalf of council, says “we recognize that reconciliation entails adopting various approaches, such as the way we plan our parks and open spaces; whom we support with grant funding; how we design our training; and how we make decisions regarding our street and place names.” Read the full statement here.
In honour of Pride Month, Kitchener raised the Progress Flag at City Hall, which the mayor says, “is a representation of our commitment to supporting members of all identities.” Read Kitchener’s Pride statement here.
Region of Waterloo:
The Region of Waterloo found that between March 2020 and June 2023, the number of people on the waiting list for subsidized housing increased by 44%. To address this (and other housing-related issues), the Region has approved the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. This plan was created through various partnerships including with the Social Development Centre and the Lived Expertise Working Group.
The Plan recommends 30 actions to end chronic homelessness by 2030, and is guided by seven strategic focus areas:
Create policy and system accountability
Centre community voices
Build system bridges
Advance equitable housing
Focus on preventing homelessness
Change the narrative on housing and homelessness
Advocate and collaborate for broader change
When the Region decided to close down its five child care centres in 2020, they were left to decide how to repurpose those spaces. Recently, council asked staff to identify non-profit child care providers who would have the option to lease two of those locations (30 Christopher Drive in Cambridge and 104 Stirling Avenue South in Kitchener). The goal would be to “offer culturally safe and relevant child care for Indigenous families and others that face systemic barriers.” These two locations could produce 92 new child care spaces, “providing connection to Indigenous culture and Indigenous ways of knowing in order to support healing and education.”
Regional Council has reinstated the ‘late night transit loop’ - at least temporarily - largely in response to students advocating for its return. The ‘late night loop’ (route 91), which connects the university district to Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Kitchener, was suspended during the pandemic but will return by this September. Grand River Transit is also working on a five-year business plan for future service improvements, expansions, and investments.
Michelle Angkasa, an Environment student at the University of Waterloo, questioned in this Community Edition article, “So why is it that transit services stop at midnight, even though we know that students’ and other people’s lives don’t stop at midnight?” While this change will no doubt be welcomed by students, Michael Druker with Tri-Cities Transport Action Group says that without late night transit service, “It makes it harder for more people to choose transit at all hours of the day. There are shift workers around the region, people who could be using transit to get to a job but don’t have that option.” Basically, more transit options are a good thing for everyone!
Have your say: Victoria Street modifications
The Region of Waterloo is looking to make modifications to Victoria Street in Kitchener near the future Kitchener Central Transit Hub and they want your input.
This project focuses on Victoria Street North from King Street West to Weber Street West. “The planning for Victoria Street is focused on high-quality multimodal connections to facilitate better first- and last-mile connections to the future Kitchener Central Transit Hub.”
Project objectives include:
Support transportation equity by providing convenient, safe, and affordable modes of transportation.
Encourage more people to cycle on Victoria Street by providing safe and separate cycling facilities.
Connect cycling infrastructure to destinations and other existing and planned cycling facilities.
You are welcome to attend the Public Consultation Centre to provide feedback on the study: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Foyer at 10 Victoria Street South.
Have your say: Benton and Frederick Cycling
The Region of Waterloo is planning to add cycle lanes along the Benton-Frederick Street corridor from Courtland Avenue to Lancaster Street in Kitchener. Phase one will see cycling lanes painted on Benton Street from Courtland Avenue to Charles Street, and on Frederick Street from Weber Street to Lancaster Street. Two of the four lanes on Benton Street and Frederick Street will be repurposed to accommodate cycling lanes without expanding the roadway. Phase two involves road reconstruction and will “include better connectivity to the ION station and provide safe walking and cycling facilities along the entire corridor.” Survey closes June 21st, 2024.
Waterloo:
Chances are that if you have been to Waterloo Park, you have come across the ‘Eby Farmstead’ which is home to several animals. Waterloo Council is considering the future for the farmstead as part of the upcoming Waterloo Park Master Plan update. Ward 2 councillor, Royce Bodaly, shares in his recent newsletter that “some of the main challenges with the Farmstead include the fact that there are currently only nine animals on display, four of which are advancing in age. Additionally, there is an operating cost of $75,000 per year associated with the Farmstead alongside changing societal trends with respect to animal displays for entertainment purposes.” Alternative uses for this space might include picnic areas, an additional splash pad, a performance area, skating rinks or winter trails. Visit the Engage Waterloo site to provide your thoughts.
Waterloo Council unanimously approved staff’s recommendation to use a city-owned parcel of land (2025 University Ave E) for the provision of affordable housing. The 25 acres of land near RIM Park would be provided at no-cost to a non-profit developer. Staff will seek a Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) to expediate the process of converting these ‘employment lands’ to residential. Councillor Bodaly commented that, “while this will result in a loss of employment land, it is anticipated that it can be offset with higher densities elsewhere in the City, particularly in Major Transit Station Areas. Housing supply in our community is an enormous challenge contributing to the affordable housing crisis and this is Council’s opportunity to make a difference not only by opening up our land, but by creating a mixed income community with a mix of rental, ownership or co-op housing.”
Learn more about this project by watching the public meeting recording.
This project is possible, in part due to Housing Accelerator Funding from the Federal Government. Click to learn more about Waterloo’s Housing Accelerator Action Plan.
Kitchener:
Waterloo is not the only municipality using vacant lands for affordable housing - Kitchener Council recently approved the donation of a parcel of land (River Road East and Ottawa Street North) to Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region. This is the first land donation to BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region which aims to create 10,000 new affordable and attainable homes for individuals and families locally by 2030.
“Habitat Waterloo Region will use this land for purpose-built affordable housing that will include a number of larger three and four-bedroom units, as well as some smaller studio, one, and two-bedroom units.” Read the news release online.
In other housing-related news, Kitchener Council approved a pilot program that will “incentivize up to 520 new not-for-profit supportive and affordable units in Kitchener. Up to $10,000 per unit will be provided as start-up funding to help cover early project costs for developments that provide not-for-profit supportive, affordable rental or affordable co-op housing units.” Read the report and learn about more Housing Accelerator Fund projects.
As part of the launch of the new incentive program, the City of Kitchener is offering a virtual information session on Wednesday, June 19 at 2:00 p.m. to provide an overview of the program and submission requirements. To register for the session, email your name and organization to planningpm@kitchener.ca.
Last week, I wrote about Kitchener’s proposed Shared Accommodation Bylaw which went to Committee on Monday, June 3rd. Council heard from a wide variety of delegations including an Airbnb host, a licensed lodging home owner, a representative from ACORN, and one from WR YIMBY as well. After many questions of staff, Council decided to refer the item to the June 24th council meeting. A referral is similar to a deferral but usually involves staff reporting back with additional details. You can see my recap of the committee meeting here.
Kitchener Council has agreed to provide interim operating funding of $300,000 for THEMUSEUM to ensure its continued operation and service to the community. This funding is intended to provide necessary cash flow while the museum's board and staff work on evaluating and enhancing their business model for future sustainability. Next week’s Citified will provide more details about this funding and why THEMUSEUM is requesting it.
Cambridge:
Cambridge Councillor Corey Kimpson has asked for a Road Safety Audit on Duke Street, and also on Laurel Street (between Duke and Eagle streets). Kimpson explains, “A Road Safety Audit is considered the gold standard in the industry, and it will examine and report on potential road safety issues and identify opportunities for improvements in safety for all road users.” While Cambridge Council has previously decided to implement reduced speed limits in residential areas, Kimpson says, “We need to look at slowing vehicles down and creating safer streets in our community. We cannot rely solely on one approach, and the audit will help to inform the development of our Road Safety Strategy and create safer streets for all.”
Have Your Say: Ainslie Street Reconstruction
The Region is looking for feedback from residents about an upcoming construction project along Ainslie Street in Cambridge. The extensive work is needed to upgrade deteriorating infrastructure. David Di Pietro, a senior engineer on this project, outlines the project’s scope: "We're going to be improving the underground infrastructure. We're going to be adding cycle lanes at least on a portion of the roadway and potentially on the entire roadway. We're also going to be replacing street lighting and upgrading the sidewalks and basically improving the corridor and making it easier for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to get through."
It seems there have been some concerns raised about this project, mostly in regards to assumptions that the project will negatively impact local businesses. I appreciate that folks are concerned about the wellbeing of downtown businesses! However, time and again, it has been shown that removing some on-street parking in order to add bike lanes and/or wider sidewalks has, at worst, a neutral impact on businesses, and at best, a positive impact (as shown here, here, and here).
The Engage WR survey closes June 30th, 2024.
Please note that at the end of June the cost of a paid subscription to Citified will increase from $5/month to $6/month (or $60/year). This only impacts future subscribers, not existing subscribers. If you are currently a free subscriber, but are considering upgrading to a paid subscription, doing so before June 30th allows you to lock in at the lower rate.
Thanks for your ongoing interest in and support of Citified!
The stark difference between Kitchener land which is infill, close to all amenities and on transit routes, and the Waterloo proposal!