[All] Reminder: Regional Official Plan Recommended Approach to Growth - June 29th 1pm Meeting

Kevin Thomason kevinthomason at mac.com
Wed Jun 29 10:06:02 EDT 2022 

Good Day!

A reminder that this afternoon at 1pm is the Regional meeting announcing the Recommended Approach to Growth for Waterloo Region for the next 30 years.  Regional Staff heard our concerns and have responded with the bold and visionary plan focussed on the Climate Crisis with 15 minute complete neighbourhoods and farmland protection we are going to need for the future.

We can’t underestimate the level of opposition to this plan from very disappointed land speculators.  It is essential that we do everything possible ensure that it receives strong support from citizens and groups across our community and it is approved in the coming weeks ahead of the upcoming autumn municipal elections.  Already efforts are underway to seek delays, field developer supported candidates in the election, and prepare for appeals to the OMB by opponents.

If you are delegating today please be sure to be supportive and stress the need to move forward on the timeline being recommended by Regional Staff.  If you aren’t delegating please be sure to e-mail or call Regional Councillors (addresses below) to voice your support and encouragement to keep moving forward in a timely manner.

In response to our concerns about the lack of public consultation, Regional Staff have scheduled a broad array of meetings, in-person open houses, and virtual forums that I hope you will be able to attend to learn more and speak up for the future that you would like to see.  Meeting dates and times are listed below.

We finally have the strong plan for the future we need for our continued leadership and future survival.  It is unique in the province and will face considerable opposition.  We need to do all that we can to ensure its success over the coming weeks.  

Please share any questions or ideas.

Sincerely,
Kevin.

-------------------------------------

> On Jun 25, 2022, at 10:13 AM, Kevin Thomason <kevinthomason at mac.com> wrote:
> 
> Congratulations!
> 
> Our community’s many letters, e-mails, phone calls, and delegations calling for our Region to continue on our bold, visionary Smart Growth trajectory have been heard and Regional Staff have updated the Regional Official Plan draft to be an ambitious 30 year plan for complete, 15 minute sustainable neighbourhoods with broader housing choice, better affordability, and a focus on intensification with minimal farmland loss.  It appears to be a strong plan focussed on the innovative planning and climate solutions that we are going to require in the decades ahead.
> 
> Region of Waterloo Staff have released over 700 pages of new Staff Reports, draft policies, the draft Regional Official Plan Amendment, and new supporting reports Friday evening:
> 
> 	https://www.engagewr.ca/regional-official-plan <https://www.engagewr.ca/regional-official-plan>
> 
> 	https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/council/Detail/2022-06-29-1300-Planning-and-Works-Public-Input-Regional-Official-/4b953a70-6cb1-433e-9bfc-aebe017dd268 <https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/council/Detail/2022-06-29-1300-Planning-and-Works-Public-Input-Regional-Official-/4b953a70-6cb1-433e-9bfc-aebe017dd268>
> 
> 
> The updated proposed plan will see just 150 ha of farmland loss for residential expansion over the next 30 years while our population grows by over 50%.  This is far less farmland loss than previous proposals that would have seen thousands of hectares of farmland loss in some scenarios.  The amount of farmland loss for employment lands has also fallen significantly from over 800ha in earlier scenarios to the lowest proposed scenario of 456ha.  
> 
> The plan is focussed on intensification as the community widely recommended in Option #4 with a very achievable 61% intensification rate and a reasonable recommended density of 59 people/jobs per hectare. 
> 
> Its climate and sustainability focus aims for complete 15 minute walkable communities throughout our region that will help to increase housing choice, the missing middle, and help to meet ambitious environmental goals.  It will help to create more sustainable transportation options, be far more efficient, and better meet the needs of our aging population.  
> 
> Next Steps
> 
> We need to ensure a strong, clear message is sent to Regional Staff, Councillors, and the province supporting these ambitious sustainability goals and this visionary plan.  There will be many unhappy opponents and disappointed land speculators who will not be getting the urban sprawl developments they had hoped for.  The Region has rejected thousands of acres of takeout requests and declined municipal calls for additional urban sprawl developments.  Now that we have this progressive future plan that our community needs, we must ensure that it gets the support it needs and things don’t regress or get overturned.
> 
> It will be important that we have many strong delegations on Wednesday, June 29th at 1:00pm speaking at the formal introduction of these policies to the issues that most interest you.  There will also be a series of in-person and virtual public information meetings in the weeks ahead (details below) where we will need to ensure a strong community voice of encouragement and support is heard.  Similar to previous progressive Regional Official Plans there could be many years of legal battles looming and the Region needs to know they have strong public support.
> 
> We are still in the process of reviewing all of the materials just released and will have additional updates as we learn and understand things more.  We have found a few errors and there are some things such as three proposed subdivisions in Wilmot that seem troubling which we will need to learn more about.  However, so far these seem to be the progressive future plans we need to continue to build a thriving community continuing our leading land use planning, core renewal, environmental and farmland protections, and Smart Growth solutions.
> 
> Kudos again to everyone who spoke up to protect our water, nature and farmland while advocating for more sustainable infrastructure, housing, transportation and employment.  We are in the homestretch and all need to help with a final push to ensure these visionary solutions we’ve asked for are successfully approved.
> 
> Please share any questions or ideas and I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming meetings.
> 
> Cheers,
> Kevin.
> 
> -----------------------------------
> 
> 1) Key Data Points of the Recommended Approach to Growth:
> 
> 	- Intensification rate: 61%
> 	- Density: 59 pj/ha
> 	- Community Area Expansion: 150 ha
> 	- Employment Area Expansion: 456 ha
> 
> This is much less Community Area (residential) greenfield farmland loss than former Option #2’s 376 ha of farmland loss, and even less than the 220 ha proposed back in December or the 180 ha of farmland loss proposed November.  While ideally we would see 0ha of farmland loss we’ve known from the onset that additional employment lands were required, a solution would have to be found for Wellesley Township’s land needs, and there were situations were rounding out or adding a few acres of expansion could help to complete a community or provide space for needed/missing services.  
> 
> 
> 2) Key Upcoming Dates:
> 
> Wednesday, June 29th - Regional Council Meeting for Staff Recommendation on Recommended Approach to Growth and Regional Council Decision - it will be very important to have many delegations of citizens and organizations from across our community to speak in support of these progressive Regional recommendations.  If you can not delegate please send a letter right now to Staff and Elected Officials:
> 
> 	Register as a delegation: https://forms.regionofwaterloo.ca/Council-and-Administrative-Services/CAS/Delegation-Registration <https://forms.regionofwaterloo.ca/Council-and-Administrative-Services/CAS/Delegation-Registration>
> 
> 	Meeting Draft Agenda - https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=9e62bc9d-d4bf-4a2a-b0e7-a4c3c9e9051b&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=45&Tab=attachments <https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=9e62bc9d-d4bf-4a2a-b0e7-a4c3c9e9051b&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=45&Tab=attachments>
> 
> Tuesday, July 6th 6:00pm to 7:30pm - Virtual Public Information Meeting - Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qc-uhpjgrGtwI-kRsvvJIOUTZnVZgbFgb <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qc-uhpjgrGtwI-kRsvvJIOUTZnVZgbFgb>
> 
> Wednesday, July 13th 2:00pm to 4:00pm - In-Person Public Information Meeting - Location To Be Announced
> 				6:00pm to 8:00pm - In-Person Public Information Meeting - Location To Be Announced
> 
> Thrusday, July 14th 6:00pm to 7:30pm - Virtual Public Information Meeting - Register - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIufumtrDsoH9UPjQjkFVeKgfxN9OtHqK10 <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIufumtrDsoH9UPjQjkFVeKgfxN9OtHqK10>
> 
> Tuesday, July 19th 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Statutory Public Open House at Regional Headquarters - 150 Fredrick Street, Kitchener
> 		6:00pm to 8:00pm - Statutory Public Open House at Regional Headquarters - 150 Fredrick Street, Kitchener
> 
> Wednesday, July 27th 3:00pm - Statutory Public Meeting on the Regional Official Plan Update
> 
> Thursday, August 18th - Final vote and approval of the 2051 Regional Official Plan
> 
> Wednesday, October 26th - Municipal Elections
> 
> 
> 3) Links to New Staff Reports and Supporting Documents:
> 
> a) Regional Staff Report - Recommended Approach to Growth - https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/council/Detail/2022-06-29-1300-Planning-and-Works-Public-Input-Regional-Official-/4b953a70-6cb1-433e-9bfc-aebe017dd268 <https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/council/Detail/2022-06-29-1300-Planning-and-Works-Public-Input-Regional-Official-/4b953a70-6cb1-433e-9bfc-aebe017dd268>
> 
> b) Regional Draft Policy Report and Amendments - https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/council/Detail/2022-06-29-1300-Planning-and-Works-Public-Input-Regional-Official-/4b953a70-6cb1-433e-9bfc-aebe017dd268 <https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/council/Detail/2022-06-29-1300-Planning-and-Works-Public-Input-Regional-Official-/4b953a70-6cb1-433e-9bfc-aebe017dd268>
> 
> c) Appendix B - Response Report - Summary of Consultation Results - https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=418 <https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=418>
> 
> d) Appendix C - Maps of Recommended Expansions - https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=419 <https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=419>
> 
> e) Appendix D - GreenHouse Gas Emission Report - https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=420 <https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=420>
> 
> f) Appendix E - Infrastructure Review and Cost Estimate - https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=421 <https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=421>
> 
> g) Appendix F - Final Draft Growth Option Technical Brief - https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=422 <https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=422>
> 
> h) Appendix G - Growth Options Fiscal Considerations - https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=423 <https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=423>
> 
> i) Appendix H - Settlement Area Boundary Expansion Request Table - https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=424 <https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=424>
> 
> j) Draft Amendment to the Regional Official Plan - https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=415 <https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=415>
> 
> 
> 
> 4) Contact Regional Councillors and Staff - Please Show Your Support and Speak Up for the Future You Want to See:
> 
> Write all Regional Councillors at: regionalcouncillors at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:regionalcouncillors at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> 
> Or contact individual Councillors at:
> 
> Karen Redman (Regional Chair) - kredman at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:kredman at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Kathryn McGarry (Mayor, Cambridge) - kmcgarry at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:kmcgarry at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Karl Kiefer (Regional Councillor, Cambridge) - kkiefer at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:kkiefer at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Helen Jowett (Regional Councillor, Cambridge) - hjowett at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:hjowett at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Berry Vrbanovic (Mayor, Kitchener) - bvrbanovic at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:bvrbanovic at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Tom Galloway (Regional Councillor, Kitchener) - tgalloway at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:tgalloway at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Geoff Lorentz (Regional Councillor, Kitchener) - glorentz at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:glorentz at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Michael D. Harris (Regional Councillor, Kitchener) - mharris at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:mharris at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Elizabeth Clarke (Regional Councillor, Kitchener) - eclarke at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:eclarke at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Dave Jaworsky (Mayor, City of Waterloo) - djaworsky at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:djaworsky at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Jim Erb (Regional Councillor, City of Waterloo) - jerb at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:jerb at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Sean Strickland (Regional Councillor, City of Waterloo) - sstrickland at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:sstrickland at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Les Armstrong (Mayor, Wilmot Township) - larmstrong at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:larmstrong at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Joe Nowak (Mayor, Wellesley Township) - jnowak at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:jnowak at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Sandy Shantz (Mayor, Woolwich Township) - sshantz at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:sshantz at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Sue Foxton (Mayor, North Dumfries Township) - sfoxton at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:sfoxton at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> 
> Contact Regional Staff at:
> 
> Bruce Lauckner - CAO - blauckner at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:blauckner at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Rod Reiger - Commissioner - Planning, Development and Legislative Services - rregier at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:rregier at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Danielle DeFields - Director, Community Planning and Development - DDeFields at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:DDeFields at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Brenna MacKinnon - Manager, Development Planning - bmackinnon at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:bmackinnon at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Cushla Matthews - Principal Planner - CMatthews at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:CMatthews at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> John Lubczynski - Principal Planner - jlubczynski at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:jlubczynski at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> Kate Daley - Environmental Sustainability Specialist - KDaley at regionofwaterloo.ca <mailto:KDaley at regionofwaterloo.ca>
> 
> 
> 5) Regional Staff Reports
> 
> a) Regional Staff Report - Recommended Approach to Growth 
> 
> <PDL-CPL-22-20_ Regional Official Plan Review – Recommended Growth Approach from the Land Needs Assessment Process .pdf>
> 
> 
> 
> b) Regional Staff Report - Draft Policy Report and Amendments
> 
> <PDL-CPL-22-21_ Draft Regional Official Plan Amendment (Growth-Related Component of ROP Review).pdf>
> 
> 
> -------------------------------------
> 
> Kevin Thomason
> Vice-Chair, Grand River Environmental Network
> www.gren.ca <http://www.gren.ca/>
> 
> 1115 Cedar Grove Road
> Waterloo, Ontario Canada  N2J 3Z4
> 
> Phone: (519) 888-0519
> Mobile Phone/WhatsApp: (519) 240-1648
> Twitter: @kthomason
> E-mail: kevinthomason at mac.com
> 
> -----------------------------------------

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