The property located at 388…

The property located at 388 Phillip Street and 413 Albert Street in the City of Waterloo was originally approved as a conversion from employment to permit mixed use development with residential, including for housing aimed at students, at a location directly across the street from he University of Waterloo. The conversion was approved through a modification made by the Minister of Municipal Affairs when approving Waterloo ROPA 6. This conversion was reversed by Bill 150, resulting in the loss of 3,000 residential units that would otherwise meet the severe need for housing in this key location. Bill 162 should be amended to restore the modification approving the conversion of 388 Phillip and 413 Albert.

The lands in question are also located in a Major Transit Station Area - which is supposed to be the focus for residential intensification according to Provincial Policy, the Growth Plan, and countless statements from Provincial Ministers and the Premier.

The landowner has an impressive track record of constructing and managing numerous buildings aimed at the student housing market in Waterloo. As has been documented in numerous media reports, and confirmed by Provincial Ministers, Ontario has a severe shortage of housing to accommodate students. In a key location like the University of Waterloo, which produces many of the key graduates to drive Canada's technology economy for the future, this represents an overall risk to the Provincial economy. The subject lands are located just steps away from other student housing to the east. They are ideal for conversion to a proposed and dynamic mix of uses, which will add approximately 3,000 residential units, and hundreds more jobs than is currently the case under the employment designation. There is no reasonable prospect that the lands will be used for manufacturing or warehousing in the future, as contemplated under the employment designation - as established by recent changes to the Planning Act and the new proposed Provincial Planning Statement.

The original modification to approve the conversion was properly made by the Minister, as it conforms with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement. In fact, the effect of Bill 150, in reversing the conversion, was to move the site away from conformity with the Growth Plan and Provincial Policy. This can be corrected by amending Bill 162 to restore the modification converting the site.

In the alternative, Bill 162 should be amended to restore the Minister's authority under section 17 (55) of the Planning Act to refer the matter of the conversion of the site to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a hearing.