Regional Municipality of Waterloo - Approval to amend a municipality’s official plan

On August 18, 2022, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo adopted Official Plan Amendment 6 by By-law 09-025. The official plan amendment is now before the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for a decision in accordance with Sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act.

Official Plan Amendment 6 proposes to establish the planning framework in the Regional Official Plan to accommodate forecasted population and employment growth to the year 2051 and to implement the policies of the Provincial Policy Statement, A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (A Place to Grow), and the Greenbelt Plan, across the Region. Official Plan Amendment 6 proposes policies addressing land use planning, transportation, public transit, water and wastewater supply and services, public health, economic development, and affordable housing, as well as other growth and development matters.

Official Plan Amendment 6 also proposes decreasing the minimum density target of 160 residents and jobs combined per hectare for three (3) of the Region of Waterloo's Major Transit Stations Areas: Laurier-Waterloo Park (to 95 residents and jobs combined per hectare), Block Line (to 80), and Delta (to 120) due to development constraints. Major Transit Station Areas are generally defined as the area within about a 10-minute walk to a major transit station or stop.

Under the Places to Grow Act, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is responsible for making a decision on the Region of Waterloo's request for lower density targets within Major Transit Station Areas.

If approved, the policy and mapping changes of Official Plan Amendment 6 would apply across the Region of Waterloo.