The Minister should approve…

The Minister should approve Region of Waterloo Official Plan Amendment 6 (ROPA6) consistent with the supporting Land Needs Assessment in order to support the rapid construction of new housing in complete communities and at more affordable costs.

Policies in ROPA6 will expand and protect existing affordable housing, require area municipalities to end exclusionary zoning and increase height and density in MTSAs, and target expansion areas only where such expansion completes communities in a way that limits expensive transportation costs.

Expansion requirements were determined based on existing, conservative intensification rates, which minimize operating and capital costs of infrastructure and associated municipal fees, property taxes, and utility rates. Specific areas for expansion were based on an extensive review to ensure additions maximized utilization of existing infrastructure and minimized transportation costs for residents to meet daily needs.

Should the Minister desire further land capacity for housing, additional density permissions inside existing neighbourhoods and in ROPA6 identified intensification corridors can provide lower cost housing in close proximity to daily needs further reducing transportation and infrastructure costs. Further settlement area expansions are unnecessary and excessively costly, adding significant upward pressure to development charges, property taxes, and utility rates.