City Council Meeting: Housing, Parks, and Infrastructure Updates

Council's meeting included opening ceremonial remarks, a housing presentation on "missing middle" and affordability, an extended discussion on the Waterloo Park plan update, and several formal decisions later in the meeting, including approval of a fire administrative penalty system, updates to the stormwater credit bylaw, a demolition-related redevelopment timeline, and recommendations tied to the William Street Pumping Station/Civic Commons project.

Topics Discussed

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND "MISSING MIDDLE"

Brian Santos and Tanya Benninger of the Cornerstone Association of Realtors presented data on housing costs and supply. They told council that average home prices in Waterloo were just above $800,000 across residential property types, while single-family homes were over $1 million in May 2026. A speaker during the presentation said, "24% are considering leaving the city to find a home they can afford," and added that "housing affordability and availability remain top concerns in this community."

The delegation promoted "gentle density" options such as multiplexes, laneway homes and small-scale infill, citing Dr. Mike Moffatt's report on Canada's "missing middle." Santos said, "Removing parking minimums is the kind of low disruption, high impact reform that helps get more homes built without fundamentally changing what the neighborhood looks like."

Recommendations discussed included form-based zoning, reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements for gentle density projects, increasing ARU height maximums from 4.5 metres to 6 metres, and improving utility servicing access. Mayor McCabe said the city should focus on "having more choice for people out there so they can achieve that dream of home ownership whether that be an ARU or a modular home." Council referred the recommendations to staff for review.

WATERLOO PARK PLAN UPDATE

Council held a workshop-style discussion on an update to the 2009 Waterloo Park plan. Staff said the city was "starting from a strong foundation of recommendations that are already in place," and consultants said the work would build on the existing plan rather than replace it.

Discussion focused on safety, accessibility, maintenance, programming and year-round use. Councillor Roach said, "Residents are watching their dollars … so the plan should prioritize the basics, like safe paths and lighting and seating and signage and accessible connections." Councillor Wright asked staff to think "really comprehensively" about waste management in the park, while Councillor Rowe requested that an accessible swing be considered.

Council members also raised questions about arts programming, bike access, crossings, and how active recreation spaces function when they are not booked. Councillor Bradley said there is "a tension" in making programmed spaces remain inviting to the general public when they are not in use. Staff said public engagement is planned for the fall and that the themes discussed are still being refined.

FIRE ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY SYSTEM

Council approved a new administrative penalty system for some fire code violations.

Chief Van Solon said the amended law, in effect since Jan. 1, 2026, includes "a whole list of those offenses that can be managed through the system," including "no smoke alarm, no CO alarm" and cases where "the fire extinguisher certification is not up to date."

More serious fire safety matters, including structural or major building-related violations, will continue to proceed through the court system.

STORMWATER CREDIT BYLAW UPDATE

Council discussed and approved updates to the stormwater credit bylaw after Councillor Wright pulled the item from consent for questions about how residents access the program.

Staff said the city plans to "revamp our website" because it receives many calls from people trying to find application information. Staff also said the bylaw changes would be added as part of that update.

The discussion also covered compliance. Staff said annual certification or inspection requirements are being added because some stormwater controls that had previously been approved were later found to be missing. Homeowners can work with REEP on rain garden design and then apply directly to the city, while non-residential properties will continue to follow engineering standards.

DEMOLITION / REDEVELOPMENT TIMELINE AND WILLIAM STREET PUMPING STATION

Council discussed a proposed demolition of a residential dwelling tied to a redevelopment site in Uptown and approved a seven-year timeline for redevelopment approvals. Councillor Roach asked, "Why 7 years?" and also questioned why any extension beyond that period could be approved administratively rather than returning to council. Staff said property standards rules would still apply while the site awaited redevelopment.

Council also approved recommendations related to the William Street Pumping Station adaptive reuse project as part of the Civic Commons initiative. Lisa said, "By preserving and repurposing the heritage pumping station rather than constructing a new facility, the project aligns with the city's commitment to green development and high-performance buildings."

The discussion included future pedestrian connections, temporary activations, tree canopy expansion, and coordination with broader Uptown and Laurel Greenway planning. Staff said further design work and consultation will follow.

Motions

• Fire Protection and Prevention Administrative Penalty System — passed
• Communications policy and social media update — passed as part of consent
• 2025 wastewater and stormwater annual reports — passed as part of consent
• Stormwater credit bylaw update / stormwater credit system — passed
• Proposed demolition of residential dwelling tied to Uptown redevelopment timeline — passed
• Three recommendations related to the William Street Pumping Station / Civic Commons project — passed unanimously
• Housing delegation recommendations referred to staff for review — referred

Attendees

Councillors identified in the provided notes as present or participating in discussion:

• Mayor McCabe
• Councillor Wright
• Councillor Rowe
• Councillor Freeman
• Councillor Hammer
• Councillor Hanmer
• Councillor Bradley
• Councillor Roach
• Councillor Vasquez
• Councillor Bodaly
• Councillor Vasic

Additional attendees mentioned in presentations or staff discussions:

• Brian Santos
• Tanya Benninger
• Claire Byschinski
• Chief Van Solon
• Lisa