[GREN-Exec] Regional Official Plan Update Reports Just Released

[Kevin Thomason]

Hi Community Leaders,

Despite the early evening timing, the Region of Waterloo has just released the Recommended Approach to Growth for the Regional Official Plan:

https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=9e62bc9d-d4bf-4a2a-b0e7-a4c3c9e9051b&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=53&Tab=attachments <https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=9e62bc9d-d4bf-4a2a-b0e7-a4c3c9e9051b&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=53&Tab=attachments>


From what I can see just quickly skimming it, it appears to be a very good news story:

- Intensification rate of 61%
- Density 59 pj/ha
- Community Area Expansion: 150 ha
- Employment Area Expansion: 456 ha

So this is much less than half of Option #2’s 376ha of farmland loss, and less than the 220ha we saw in December and less than even the 180ha we saw in November.

It’s also fantastic to see the better of the two employment options taken.

I think we have had a pretty significant impact and I’m not sure we can do or expect much better than this.  I have a feeling that there will be some very disappointed land speculators - particularly when it appears that Cambridge is getting only 8ha of expansion.

There are also many other reports and documents that have been released this evening.

We are going to have to figure out as a community how best to respond on Wednesday.  I will circulate a more detailed update to a much broader audience likely by tomorrow morning as we figure more out.

Please share any thoughts or ideas.  

Cheers,
Kevin.

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Kevin Thomason

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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