The Director of Development Services, H. O'Krafka, presented highlights from the staff report regarding the Region of Waterloo's Land Needs Assessment (LNA) including the three (3) options from the Region, the implications of those options, and staff's concerns, especially with the Region's population considerations and the associated costs. H. O'Krafka indicated staff does not support any of the Region's options. Staff's preferred scenario needs to be equitable for Wilmot so staff would prefer the Region to slow down the process to allow the generation of additional scenarios and provide greater opportunity for enhanced local engagement. Staff would also like to understand the fiscal impacts of the various growth scenarios before supporting any particular scenario and to request additional equitable scenarios for the Township within the Regional context.
The Mayor called on delegations.
K. Eby supported the need to slow down the process and to create a plan to help mitigate climate change and address the needs of the Township's aging population.
M. Reusser presented a high level rural and agricultural perspective to ensure no new loss of farmland and a plan that balances housing and food production. He also emphasized the need not to rush to make a decision.
K. Thomason also supported the position there should be no loss of farmland through an increased intensification. He emphasized the need for more public input and favoured delaying decisions on future boundary expansion.
P. Chauvin, representing clients who own lands inside of the countryside line, stated that while they are supportive of the Region's objective, they are not in support of the Region's options and expressed concerns about the fact that the Region's LNA does not meet the Province's growth plan objectives. He emphasized the need for a plan that allows for a full range of housing options to meet demand.
S. Goertz, representing 50by30WR, stated there is a need to accommodate various means to enable growth as well as the importance of more community engagement in order to consider other options to increase intensification rather than developing over farmland.
D. Falletta provided the various reasons for why his firm is supportive of staff's recommendation and why they are not in agreement with the options presented by the Region. He emphasized the need for the plan to guarantee various types of housing within the countryside line for the Township in order to facilitate a more complete community within Provincial policy.
C. Ferguson appeared on behalf of a client and provided their rationale in support of staff's recommendations, especially the need for a balanced approach to expansion and the financial consequences of various growth scenarios on the Township.
D. Baker, representing her law firm which works with the development community, indicated support of staff's recommendations. She emphasized the need for good planning within the Provincial framework and suggested staff's recommended intensification rate is reasonable, does not negatively impact existing residents, and is more fiscally responsible so that existing residents aren't unfairly burdened.
Council asked questions of staff and R. Regier, Region of Waterloo's Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services, regarding whether discussions with the Townships has taken place; whether the Region has taken into account the disparity of the Townships; how the Region has considered the input from the Townships regarding the appropriate levels of intensification; and, how Wilmot Township Council's input could be taken into account for Regional staff's consideration if it were received late.
The following Alternative Motion was moved by Councillor A. Hallman and seconded by Councillor C. Gordijk:
THAT Report DS 2022-013 be received for information; and further,
THAT Council advise the Region of Waterloo of the following:
WHEREAS Wilmot Township has committed to ambitious climate change targets, including a reduction of GHG of 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050 that will require an ambitious and visionary Regional Official Plan;
That Wilmot Township recommends that the Regional Official Plan process be delayed as required to provide municipalities and citizens more time for fulsome engagement on, investigation of, and education about growth options for the community;
That Wilmot Township receive the Regional Consultant’s Report on the sustainability and climate impact of each Growth Option, including any new proposed Growth Options, prior to responding with Wilmot’s preferred option;
That Wilmot Township would like to undertake intensification, visioning, and sustainability studies as required to determine the opportunities and optimal locations available to accommodate future population growth prior to committing to specific population allocations and intensification and density targets;
That Wilmot Township requests that all scenarios for growth to 2051 for Wilmot Township utilize higher intensification rates consistent with current trends, and the results of the aforementioned intensification studies - recognizing that this target may be significantly greater than the historical rate of intensification for Wilmot Township and the intensification rate being proposed for other rural Townships;
That Wilmot Township seeks to create complete, sustainable communities where new residential population growth is balanced by accompanying new employment growth;
That Wilmot Township requests all scenarios for growth to 2051 for Wilmot ensure the unallocated capacity of the New Hamburg Wastewater Treatment Plant (NHWWTP) is sufficient to accommodate all forecast residential and employment growth (including opportunities for a wide range of potential forms of employment growth) until 2051; and
That the Township of Wilmot generally supports options for growth that provide for:
- no Community Area expansions and no farmland loss based on increased intensification targets
- not trigger a requirement for identification and removal of excess lands from current urban designations
- support an increased focus on the missing middle and accessory units through implementation of inclusionary zoning
- meet the needs of an aging community
- provide for complete, sustainable and walkable communities, supported by active transportation and public transit
- be consistent with achievement of climate change commitments; and increased minimum density requirements for developments in greenfield areas of the Township.
Members of Council expressed their concern with not having had sufficient time to consider Councillor Hallman's Alternative Motion and a deferral of the motion was put forward. Discussion took place regarding the timing of the Region's report and the possibility of considering Councillor Hallman's Alternative Motion in time for Council to provide feedback and input to the Region.
Councillor Hallman's Alternative Motion replaced the following Staff Recommendation, which was not considered by Council:
THAT Report DS 2022-013 be received for information; and further,
THAT Council advise the Region of Waterloo of the following:
That Wilmot Township requests all scenarios for growth to 2051 for Wilmot Township be modified as necessary to plan for the full utilization of the unallocated capacity of the New Hamburg Wastewater Treatment Plant (NHWWTP) – estimated by the Region in May of 2021 to be 10,400 persons;
That Wilmot Township requests that all scenarios for growth to 2051 for Wilmot Township utilize the existing Wilmot intensification target of 30% - recognizing that this target is both significantly greater than the historical rate of intensification for Wilmot Township and the intensification rate being proposed for other rural Townships; and,
That Wilmot Township requests consideration of increased minimum density requirements for developments, within any required expansions to Township Urban Areas, to further minimize the size of required expansions.