WRHBA supports any reforms that simplify official plans by reinforcing high-level, permissive land use policy rather than predetermining matters that are better addressed through zoning and site plan control. In Waterloo Region, municipal official plans have expanded significantly in scope over time. Proponents are often required to navigate overlapping and subjective policies to justify proposals that clearly align with growth objectives but do not fit neatly into the policy detail. This situation results in lengthier approval timelines and increased housing cost.
Greater standardization of official plan structure, content, and policy language across municipalities is welcome. Builders operating across multiple planning jurisdictions in Waterloo Region routinely encounter different policy interpretations for similar uses, development forms, parking regulations, etc. These inconsistencies add cost to development projects and undermine the Province’s broader housing goals. A more standardized, provincially consistent approach to official plan policy would improve clarity for all parties, including municipalities, agencies, and the public, while still maintaining local flexibility to deliver much needed housing supply.
Based on the past experiences of WRHBA members, requiring clear and simplified official plans will improve housing delivery. Concise local policy which is clearly aligned with provincial policy statements, will allow development application to move more efficiently through the approvals process. Conversely, when official plans delve into detailed design, servicing and design matters, the result will continue to be a lengthy approvals process. This impacts all forms of new housing, including “missing middle” housing, intensification projects, and redevelopment within existing urban areas, which are precisely the forms of housing that Waterloo Region municipalities rely on to meet Provincial growth targets.