Waterloo Region Connected - Urban Issues

General urbanism appreciation

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 13:46:50 +0000

I couldn't find a thread that takes an all-around look at our urban form from multiple angles. I guess that's because many of us are too close to it to take a broader view.

I was inspired by this Reddit post by a Torontonian, who visited KW this past weekend and was generally impressed: https://www.reddit.com/r/waterloo/commen...m_toronto/

Finacialization of the rental market

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 23:59:22 +0000

How 'financialized' landlords may be contributing to rising rents in Canada

Waste Management

Fri, 17 May 2024 16:48:09 +0000

Waterloo region set to make pricey changes to waste management
High costs attributed to new industry standards, waste management director says
Changes in the new contract include a switch to carts from bins, greener trucks and a four-day collection week.

Invasive species control

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 15:24:59 +0000

Does anyone know if the City of Waterloo or the Region has any sort of invasive species control department? I've noticed a patch of bamboo growing on a trail in my neighbourhood that has been continuing to grow; bamboo is considered an extremely invasive species in North America.

Lodging Homes (Kitchener)

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 19:25:21 +0000

Kitchener Council (committee) will be discussing a report on Lodging Homes on October 30th.

From the article: "Currently there is a rule that almost all neighbourhoods must keep lodging homes 400 metres apart and lodging homes are not allowed without additional zoning permissions in some neighbourhoods. On Oct. 30, Kitchener can vote to start to remove these requirements. This would be in line with recommendations of the lodging home subcommittee of the Housing For All Strategy."

https://www.therecord.com/opinion/kitche...f886a.html

Purpose-built rental housing

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 01:40:41 +0000

It seems that we are finally seeing a substantial amount of new purpose-built rental urban housing coming onto the market, which should relieve pressure on the investor condo rentals. Now open or substantially under construction:

The Scott (2021): ~100 units
Market Flats (2022): ~100 units
The Bow (2022): ~200 units
Ophelia (2022): ~200 units
Civic 66 (2022?): ~150 units
169 Borden (2022?): ~150 units
Woodside Terraces phase 2 (2023?): ~150 units
387-397 King (2023): ~50 units
Drewlo downtown (2023-2024?): 300-400 units

That's roughly 1,500 units -- and over 1,000 even excluding Drewlo, which is moving rather slowly. I can't think of any significant new rental housing projects in Waterloo, though, and I don't know the Cambridge market at all. But, for Kitchener, this is far stronger rental housing growth than I recall seeing in the last 40+ years.

Housing shortfall, costs and affordability

Sat, 30 Jul 2022 04:13:48 +0000

(07-29-2022, 09:36 PM)panamaniac Wrote: 1500 units may be more that the City is prepared to contemplate;

Why we're in a housing crisis in a nutshell: council might be concerned that a project is going to provide too many homes.

What does DTK need?

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:06:58 +0000

(06-28-2022, 11:42 AM)Joedelay Highhoe Wrote: I guess now they can re-open gaukel street? Maybe they could sanction that stretch of gaukel for a tent city.

Gaukel St was all dug up yesterday for what looked like utility work.

Regional Official Plan

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 22:14:11 +0000

I thought there was a thread on the Regional Official Plan, but I couldn't find it. Anyhow, I got the following email from Engage:

The Regional Official Plan Review team has added a project update to the Engage page as well as a link to a new Growth Scenario Evaluation Technical Brief. This Technical Brief provides an evaluation, using a set of criteria, of three preliminary growth scenarios that were presented to the public for comment and feedback in June 2021. A brief summary of the where we are in the project timeline is also provided in the project update, as well as information on a recommendation going to Regional Committee of the Whole on November 9, 2021 regarding a preferred growth scenario.

To view the newly added items, please visit the Project Update tab at www.engagewr.ca/regional-official-plan.

Air Quality

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 00:18:34 +0000

https://www.kitchenertoday.com/local-new...ay-3968245

This is the first time in my memory that we've had wildfire related air quality issues in our area. I am very much not impressed. As a person with lung problems, it is a considerable risk for me, and a major quality of life issue. I was quite happy when the coal plants were shut down and it brought an end to smog days. Sad to see them return.

It would be nice if we stopped making the planet unlivable for human beings I think.

On the plus side, while I'll be avoiding exercise outdoors for the next few days as a result of this, as a result of the other major cataclysm this year I have an N95 mask that I can wear when running errands.

Accessible housing issues

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:46:56 +0000

Midrise is very hard for developers to pull off too.

Even if a developer wants to come in and do some cool 4 storey building, landowners don't care. If a landowner if remotely able to get highrise land prices, then that is all they will accept. So developers are forced to pay so much for land, that the only feasible project is a highrise.

Kitchener's housing affordability strategy

Sat, 26 Dec 2020 01:15:43 +0000

The Kitchener council approved a comprehensive housing strategy, ranging from shelters to market-priced home ownership, but at whose heart is housing affordability, and particularly so for people who can least afford it.

https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-...ategy.html

The city intends to work with the region (which has the responsibility for subsidized housing) and leverage funding from provincial and federal governments. The targets, by 20205 (so a five-year timespan) include:

450 supportive units for the homeless (presumably targeting those sleeping rough)
5,000 community housing units for low-income
9,000 affordable rental units

It was earlier announced that the region is to receive $8.2M to build 36 supportive housing units for women on Block Line Road in Kitchener, as well as 48 modular units in Cambridge.

Two days ago, the region announced that it has selected the organizations (by lottery) to receive donations of three surplus properties: 24, 32 and 34 Mill St, between the REEP House and the Mike Wagner Green. MennoHomes will receive 24 Mill, while KW Urban Native Wigwam Project will receive 32 and 34 Mill.
https://www.kitchenertoday.com/local-new...ng-3209787

ROW Weather

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 02:25:55 +0000

Not sure if this is the proper place to post, so mods feel free to move to better spot.

Looks like we're in for some serious weather starting Monday afternoon/evening into Wednesday morning. It will be the 2nd significant snow event of the 2020/2021 winter season. I'm thinking with 2020 being a total write-off, why not give us some crappy weather as well, as we have had it really good the past few years.

Federal funding for affordable housing

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 17:34:31 +0000

Yesterday's announcement of $500M for affordable housing, directly from the federal government to municipalities, includes $8.3M for Waterloo Region.

https://twitter.com/Redman4Region/status...6660862978

An unprecedented 8.2 million investment to @RegionWaterloo today will support our most vulnerable through the creation of new affordable housing units & enable us to make real progress on our goal of ending chronic homelessness.

Thank you @FCM_online for your advocacy. https://t.co/NIqeBAyhA6 pic.twitter.com/OP62XUuCU3
— Karen Redman (@Redman4Region) October 27, 2020

I assume (and hope) that this will be used for new projects, incremental to what the region already has planned. Depending on the size and type of units, and whether land has to be purchased, this could create 40-50 more affordable units in the region.

The federal government has an additional $500M available "for projects that are completed within a year of federal officials giving a green light for funding." That timeline probably dictates the conversion of existing buildings (such as hotels) rather than development of all-new properties.

CTV's story is here:
https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/waterloo-re...-1.5163770

Housing costs

Sat, 22 Aug 2020 18:11:05 +0000

(08-22-2020, 01:41 PM)tomh009 Wrote:
(08-21-2020, 09:09 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: But I don't even know if that would help, it would only matter if they are limited by space, most of the restaurants I see are not limited by space...if they are limited by customers, raising prices will drive away some of those customers.

Costs have to come down...or rather, economics must change, increasing inequality means there just isn't as much money in the hands of people who will spend it anymore.

Many restaurants claim that they are now limited by space, because they can no longer seat enough people. On the other hand, fewer people may be wanting to eat out: whether this is because of COVID risks or income loss is arguable (I personally think it's more of the former).

But how to reduce rent costs? Rent control really doesn't work. And why should restaurants (and bars?) pay less rent than other businesses? And a government rent subsidy doesn't make sense.

If it's OK to charge $2000+/month for an apartment, or $400K+ for a condo, then commercial rents will follow. Nice places in nice locations will be expensive, and I don't see why that shouldn't be reflected in the prices.

Lol...I also think people pay too much in rent on housing.

As for how to reduce rent costs..that is a challenge, and I don't have any easy answers, beyond the fact that parking minimums and other anti-development policies that prevent infill development and prioritize sprawl make the situation worse.

But it does come back to income inequality, if wages had grown at a similar rate to housing...there wouldn't be an issue...