Council considered Inclusionary Zoning - Updated Market Analysis, DSD-2024-498, listed as item 7.2.a on the agenda this date, which was recommended for refusal at the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting on December 2, 2024. In addition, Council was in receipt of written submissions from Laura New, Sue Savor, Melissa Bauman, Gail Pool, JD Development, Hal Jaeger, Leslie Macredie, Marilyn Hay and Waterloo Home Builders Association.
Melissa Hughes, Chanel Cressman, Peggy Nichols and Shefaza Esmail addressed Council in opposition to the recommendation outlined in the staff report, noting the City should maintain the implementation timeline of January 1, 2025 as initially proposed and approved.
Melissa Durrell, Build Urban and Stephen Litt, Vive Development, addressed Council in support of the recommendation outlined in the staff report, noting challenges financial challenges with current real estate market conditions, which may be further exacerbated by Inclusionary Zoning and potentially decrease new development within the City.
Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time.
Mike Puopolo, Waterloo Region Home Builders Association, delegated in support of the staff recommendation to delay implementation to January 2026 noting timing concerns with the framework given the broader market and economic challenges. M. Puopolo addressed financial institutions lending rates and requested that IZ be delayed until the market stabilizes.
Councillor A. Owodunni left the meeting at this time.
Councillor A. Owodunni returned to the meeting at this time.
Councillor J. Deneault left the meeting at this time.
Ken Vogelpohl delegated in opposition of the staff recommendation.
Councillor J. Deneault returned to the meeting at this time.
Councillor J. Deneault left and returned the meeting at this time.
Councillor C. Michaud left the meeting at this time.
Ryan Murdock, urged Council not to support the staff recommendation as IZ helps provide for affordable housing, and the failure to provide for different housing options causes material impacts on the health of citizens and residents living in the city for those seeking rental housing.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at this time and Councillor S. Davey assumed the role of the Chair.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic returned to the meeting at this time and assumed the role of the Chair.
Councillor C. Michaud returned to the meeting at this time.
Myron Steinman, addressed Council in support of the staff recommendation.
It was noted while the applications were recommended for refusal at the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee. Mayor B. Vrbanovic stated, to ensure Council receives the preferred result on the Planning Applications, the any motion brought forward needs to be in the affirmative. If It is Council’s will to refuse the Planning Applications, they can vote down the affirmative recommendation which will result in the applications being refused. Further staff are requesting an amendment to Clause 1 of the recommendation to substitute the Region of Waterloo, with Relevant Approval Authority, to address recent legislation changes that are effective January 1, 2025, related to the approval authority for Official Plan Amendments (OPA)'s.
Councillor S. Davey brought forward a motion, which was seconded by Councillor C. Michaud, as follows:
“That the City-initiated Official Plan Amendment OPA24/013/COK/EP for the purposes of updating Inclusionary Zoning policies within Protected Major Transit Station Areas be adopted, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Development Services report DSD-2024-498 as Attachment ‘A’ and accordingly forwarded to the Relevant Approval Authority for approval; and further,
That the City-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA24/028/COK/EP to amend Zoning By- law 2019-051 and Zoning By- law 85-1, be approved in the form shown in the Proposed By-law Amendment attached to Report DSD-2024-498 as Attachment `B' and Attachment `C' respectively.
That the inclusionary zoning framework be operationalized as of January 1, 2026; and further,
That staff be directed to monitor local market conditions and report back to Council no later than the end of 2025 with recommendations on potential adjustments to specific policy parameters, where necessary.”
A recorded vote was requested.