Waterloo Council Approves Accessibility Standards, Community Centre Expansion, and Heritage Designation

Waterloo council approved updated accessibility and respectful-behaviour standards for city facilities, advanced renovations to the Albert McCormick Community Centre and McCormick Branch Library, and began the heritage-designation process for 131 William Street West. Council also directed staff to review rules governing food-truck and online food operations in residential areas. Councillor Freeman declared a pecuniary interest in a Northfield Equities planning application and did not participate in that matter.

Topics Discussed

FACILITY ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS

Council approved updated Facility Accessibility Design Standards for new municipal construction and major renovations. The standards exceed Ontario Building Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requirements and include vertical door push bars, ceiling-track lifts, adult change tables, expanded turning areas, improved signage and wayfinding, and accessible service counters.

Examples discussed included fold-down grab bars and high-contrast fixtures in public washrooms. The standards will be included in project contracts, and staff said deficiencies would be corrected at the contractor's expense.

Amy Ross said, "designing accessible and inclusive municipal spaces is critical," adding that facilities should identify, remove and prevent barriers and establish consistent accessibility expectations across city projects.

The standards were developed with the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee. Staff will formally review them every four years, with interim changes possible in response to public feedback.

RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOUR POLICY

Council approved an updated Respectful Behavior Policy for city facilities, including arenas, recreation centres, libraries and shared-use facilities. Staff across the organization will receive training on the policy and how it will be applied.

The policy will emphasize education and de-escalation before more serious penalties. Councillor Wright asked how staff capacity would be supported as interactions become more complex in facilities shared by organizations such as libraries and recreation centres.

The Mayor said the goal was to build a Waterloo Region that is "accessible and inclusive and as safe for people whatever their age, their stage in life or their abilities or their income."

ALBERT MCCORMICK COMMUNITY CENTRE AND LIBRARY EXPANSION

Council approved a construction tender of approximately $13 million plus HST for SG Cunningham for Phase B of the Albert McCormick Community Centre and Waterloo Public Library McCormick Branch renovation and expansion.

The project includes an expanded library with study areas and a maker space, children's programming space, flexible recreation rooms, a commercial kitchen, sensory room, accessible central entrance and improved temperature controls. Construction is expected to begin in November 2024 and finish in early 2028. A temporary library branch is operating on-site during construction.

When the expanded facility opens, projected annual operating costs will be approximately $1.31 million: $710,000 for the library and $600,000 for the city.

Heather described the project as transforming the facility "from a facility historically focused on arena activities into a more welcoming, accessible, and flexible community hub" serving library, recreation and community needs. She noted that the two-phase renewal is the first major renewal of the community centre and library in more than 30 years.

FOOD-TRUCK AND ONLINE FOOD OPERATIONS

Resident and Spring Wraps owner Fang Louie asked council to clarify business-licensing rules for food vehicles operating in residential areas. Louie cited Item 35, Schedule 15, Section 10(f), which permits food vehicles in residential areas when invited in writing to cater to a resident and their guests.

Louie said the rules do not clearly address online delivery platforms, home-based micro-businesses or charitable food distribution, and said they had received enforcement penalties for fulfilling online orders from a residential property.

Council directed city staff and the commissioner responsible for bylaws to review the regulations. Staff indicated that the city regularly reviews its bylaws and can examine specific recommendations, without committing to a particular outcome.

HERITAGE DESIGNATION AND PLANNING MATTER

Council voted unanimously to begin the heritage-designation process for 131 William Street West under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The vernacular home has Italianate features and historical ties to the Snyder family and community leader Ida B. Snyder.

The designation was initiated by the property owners. The city will issue and publish a Notice of Intention to Designate, followed by a 30-day objection period. If the designation bylaw is passed, a further 30-day appeal period will apply through the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Susan Shappert said the property met four of the provincial criteria for heritage significance, exceeding the requirement that a property meet at least two criteria for designation.

Councillor Freeman declared a pecuniary interest in planning file OPA ZVA, Z 2408, involving Northfield Equities properties at 170–200 Northfield Drive West and 570–655 Weaver Street North. Freeman did not participate in discussion or voting on that item.

Motions

• Updated Facility Accessibility Design Standards: Moved by Councillor Hanmer and seconded by Councillor Roe — carried.
• Updated Respectful Behavior Policy: Moved by Councillor Wright and seconded by Councillor Roe — carried.
• Albert McCormick Community Centre and Waterloo Public Library McCormick Branch renovation and expansion: Tender awarded to SG Cunningham for approximately $13 million plus HST — approved.
• RIM Park Sportsplex refrigeration upgrades tender: Moved by Councillor Freeman and seconded by Councillor Roach — carried.
• 131 William Street West heritage designation: Council voted unanimously to advance the designation process — approved.
• Review of residential food-vehicle regulations: Council directed staff and the bylaw commissioner to review the applicable rules.
• Conflict of interest: Councillor Freeman declared a pecuniary interest in planning file OPA ZVA, Z 2408, and recused themself from discussion and voting.

Attendees

Councillors identified in the meeting material as present or participating:

• Councillor Freeman
• Councillor Hanmer
• Councillor Roach
• Councillor Roe
• Councillor Wright