TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 2

1.1 PURPOSE AND REVIEW ...... 2 1.2 LEGAL STATUS OF THE PLAN ...... 2 1.3 CONTEXT OF THE PLAN ...... 3 1.4 USING AND INTERPRETING THE PLAN ...... 3 1.5 STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN ...... 5 CHAPTER 2 VISION, PRINCIPLES AND BASIS OF THE PLAN ...... 8

2.1 CITY OF WATERLOO COMMUNITY VISION STATEMENT ...... 8 2.2 PRINCIPLES OF THE PLAN ...... 8 2.3 BASIS OF THE PLAN ...... 9 CHAPTER 3 CITY FORM ...... 15

3.1 OBJECTIVES ...... 16 3.2 POPULATION AND EMPLOYMENT GROWTH ...... 18 3.3 RESIDENTIAL INTENSIFICATION ...... 19 3.4 PERMITTED HEIGHT & DENSITY ...... 21 3.5 DESIGNATED GREENFIELD AREAS ...... 21 3.6 DESIGNATED NODES AND CORRIDORS ...... 22 3.6.1 Hierarchy of Designated Nodes ...... 23 3.6.2 Hierarchy of Designated Corridors ...... 24 3.6.3 Expanding Designated Nodes ...... 25 3.6.4 Expanding Designated Corridors ...... 25 3.6.5 Intensification within Nodes and Corridors ...... 26 3.6.6 Parking within Designated Nodes and Corridors ...... 27 3.7 UPTOWN WATERLOO URBAN GROWTH CENTRE...... 28 3.7.1 Components of the Uptown Waterloo Urban Growth Centre ...... 29 3.7.2 Retaining Uptown’s Sense of Community, Identity and Commercial Vitality ...... 30 3.8 MAJOR TRANSIT STATION AREAS ...... 34 3.8.1 Land Use Within Major Transit Station Areas ...... 35 3.8.2 Public Realm and Place-Making ...... 39 3.8.3 Mobility ...... 39 3.9 WATERLOO AS A COMPLETE COMMUNITY ...... 40 3.9.1 Planning Districts ...... 40 3.9.2 Neighbourhoods ...... 41 3.10 GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS ...... 43 3.11 URBAN DESIGN ...... 44 3.11.1 General Urban Design Policies ...... 44 3.11.2 Urban Design within Nodes and Corridors ...... 49 3.11.3 Urban Design within the Uptown Waterloo Urban Growth Centre ...... 50 3.11.4 Urban Design within Station Areas ...... 52 3.11.5 Urban Design Implementation...... 55 3.12 PROTECTED COUNTRYSIDE ...... 56

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CHAPTER 4 ARTS, CULTURE, HERITAGE, RECREATION AND LEISURE ...... 59

4.1 OBJECTIVES ...... 60 4.2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION ...... 61 4.3 DELIVERY OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES ...... 61 4.3.1 Facilities Delivery ...... 61 4.3.2 Services and Program Delivery ...... 62 4.4 UPTOWN AS A COMMUNITY FOCAL POINT FOR ARTS AND CULTURE ...... 63 4.5 ARTS, CULTURE, HERITAGE, RECREATION AND LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES ON PRIVATE LANDS ...... 63 4.6 RECREATION AND LEISURE THROUGH PARKS, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE ...... 64 4.7 CULTURAL HERITAGE POLICIES ...... 64 4.7.1 General Policies...... 64 4.7.2 Heritage Register ...... 66 4.7.3 Heritage Impact Assessment ...... 67 4.7.4 Built Heritage Resources ...... 68 4.7.5 Cultural Heritage Landscapes ...... 69 4.7.6 Archaeological Resource Policies ...... 69 4.7.7 Heritage Conservation Districts ...... 70 4.7.8 Collections ...... 72 CHAPTER 5 NETWORKS ...... 74

5.1 OBJECTIVES ...... 74 5.1.1 Servicing and Utilities Network ...... 74 5.1.2 Trails and Open Space Network ...... 75 5.1.3 Road Network ...... 75 5.1.4 Rail Network ...... 76 5.2 SERVICING AND UTILITIES NETWORK...... 76 5.2.1 Supporting Documents and Implementation ...... 76 5.2.2 General Servicing Policies ...... 76 5.2.3 Water ...... 78 5.2.4 Services under Regional Jurisdiction ...... 78 5.2.5 Private Wells and Ground Source Heating & Cooling Systems ...... 78 5.2.6 Sanitary Sewers ...... 79 5.2.7 Stormwater Management ...... 79 5.2.8 Utilities ...... 80 5.2.9 Site Dewatering ...... 82 5.2.10 Cross-Border Agreements ...... 82 5.3 TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE NETWORK ...... 83 5.3.1 Supporting Documents and Implementation ...... 83 5.3.2 Defining a Comprehensive, Connected and Multi-Functional Network ...... 83 5.3.3 Trails ...... 84 5.3.4 Supporting Facilities and Programs ...... 85 5.3.5 Collaborations ...... 86 5.4 THE ROAD NETWORK ...... 87 5.4.1 Supporting Documents and Implementation ...... 87 5.4.2 Public Roads ...... 87 5.4.3 Roads under Provincial or Regional Jurisdiction ...... 90 5.4.4 Private Roads ...... 91 ii

5.4.5 Traffic Calming ...... 92 5.4.6 Truck Travel ...... 92 5.4.7 Designated Road Allowance Policy – Widenings ...... 93 5.5 THE RAIL NETWORK ...... 100 CHAPTER 6 TRANSPORTATION ...... 103

6.1 OBJECTIVES ...... 103 6.1.1 Transportation System ...... 103 6.1.2 Integrating Transportation and Land Use ...... 104 6.1.3 Pedestrian and Bicycle Travel ...... 104 6.1.4 Transit Travel ...... 105 6.1.5 Parking ...... 105 6.2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION ...... 106 6.3 INTEGRATING TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE ...... 106 6.4 TRANSPORTATION IMPACT STUDIES ...... 107 6.5 SUPPORTING TRANSIT AND ACTIVE FORMS OF TRAVEL ...... 108 6.5.1 Active Transportation ...... 108 6.5.2 Transit Travel ...... 110 6.6 PARKING ...... 112 6.6.1 Planning for Appropriate Parking ...... 112 6.6.2 Cash-in-lieu of Parking ...... 114 6.6.3 Parking Subject to Site Plan Control ...... 115 6.7 EMERGENCY RESPONSE ...... 115 CHAPTER 7 ECONOMY ...... 117

7.1 OBJECTIVES ...... 118 7.2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION ...... 119 7.3 EMPLOYMENT AREAS ...... 119 7.4 PLANNING FOR A STRONG, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY ...... 120 7.5 WATERLOO AS A CREATIVE, SUSTAINABLE CITY...... 122 7.6 TOURISM ...... 123 7.7 WATERLOO IN THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY ...... 124 7.7.1 Post-Secondary Educational Institutions ...... 124 7.7.2 High Tech and Innovation Clusters ...... 125 7.7.3 Telecommunications ...... 126 7.7.4 Lifelong Learning ...... 126 CHAPTER 8 ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY ...... 128

8.1 OBJECTIVES ...... 128 8.2 NATURAL HERITAGE ...... 129 8.2.1 Supporting Documents and Implementation ...... 130 8.2.2 General Policies...... 131 8.2.3 Landscape Level Systems ...... 134 8.2.4 Core Natural Features ...... 138 8.2.5 Supporting Natural Features ...... 141 8.2.6 Restoration Areas ...... 147 8.2.7 Linkages ...... 148

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8.2.8 Fisheries ...... 149 8.2.9 Urban Forest ...... 149 8.2.10 Watershed Planning ...... 150 8.2.11 Environmental Impact Statements ...... 152 8.2.12 Major Urban Greenlands ...... 154 8.3 WATER RESOURCES ...... 155 8.3.1 Supporting Documents and Implementation ...... 155 8.3.2 General ...... 155 8.3.3 Source Water Protection ...... 157 8.4 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ...... 158 8.4.1 Supporting Documents and Implementation ...... 158 8.4.2 Natural Hazards ...... 159 8.4.3 Contaminated Sites ...... 171 8.4.4 Noise, Vibration and Light Emissions ...... 172 8.5 ENERGY ...... 174 8.5.1 Supporting Documents and Implementation ...... 174 8.5.2 Culture of Conservation ...... 175 8.5.3 Energy Conservation in the Built Environment ...... 175 8.5.4 Energy Production and Distribution ...... 176 8.6 AIR QUALITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 178 8.6.1 Supporting Documents and Implementation ...... 178 8.6.2 General ...... 179 8.6.3 Targets and Monitoring ...... 180 8.7 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ...... 180 8.7.1 Supporting Documents and Implementation ...... 180 8.7.2 General ...... 180 8.7.3 Sustainable Building ...... 181 8.7.4 Community Gardens ...... 182 CHAPTER 9 MINERAL AGGREGATES ...... 184

9.1 OBJECTIVES ...... 184 9.2 GENERAL POLICIES ...... 184 CHAPTER 10 LAND USE POLICIES ...... 188

10.1 RESIDENTIAL LAND USE POLICIES...... 188 10.1.1 General Policies...... 189 10.1.2 Supporting a Range of Housing ...... 193 10.1.3 Low Density Residential Designation ...... 198 10.1.4 Mixed-Use Medium Density Residential Designation ...... 201 10.1.5 Mixed-Use Medium High Density Residential Designation ...... 203 10.1.6 Mixed-Use High Density Residential Designation ...... 204 10.2 COMMERCIAL LAND USE POLICIES ...... 206 10.2.1 General Policies...... 207 10.2.2 Commercial Land Use Designations ...... 210 10.2.2.1 Uptown Commercial Core Designation ...... 210 10.2.2.2 Uptown Mixed-Use Designation ...... 212 10.2.2.3 Conestoga Commercial Centre Designation ...... 214 iv

10.2.2.4 Mixed-Use Community Commercial Designation ...... 216 10.2.2.5 West Side Mixed-Use Commercial Centre Designation ...... 221 10.2.2.6 Mixed-Use Neighbourhood Commercial Designation ...... 224 10.2.2.7 Convenience Commercial Designation...... 226 10.2.2.8 Mixed-Use Office Designation ...... 228 10.2.2.9 Corridor Commercial Designation ...... 229 10.2.3 Complete Development Application Requirements for Commercial Development Proposals ...... 232 10.2.4 Urban Design for Lands Designated Commercial ...... 234 10.3 EMPLOYMENT LAND USE POLICIES ...... 235 10.3.1 General Policies...... 236 10.3.2 EMPLOYMENT LAND USE DESIGNATIONS ...... 240 10.3.2.1 Flexible Industrial Designation ...... 240 10.3.2.2 Business Employment Designation ...... 241 10.3.2.3 Academic Designation ...... 245 10.4 MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL LAND USE POLICIES ...... 247 10.5 OPEN SPACE LAND USE POLICIES ...... 248 10.5.2 OPEN SPACE LAND USE DESIGNATIONS ...... 251 10.5.2.1 Parks and Other Green Spaces ...... 251 10.5.2.2 Cemeteries ...... 256 10.5.2.3 Golf Course ...... 257 10.5.2.4 Landfill ...... 258 10.5.2.5 Natural System ...... 260 10.6 RURAL LAND USE POLICIES...... 260 10.7 LAND USES IN TRANSITION ...... 261 10.7.1 Agricultural Uses and Agriculture-Related Uses ...... 261 10.7.2 Industrial Areas in Transition ...... 262 CHAPTER 11 SPECIFIC PROVISION AREAS ...... 265

11.1 SPECIFIC PROVISION AREA POLICIES ...... 265 11.1.1 Specific Provision Area 1 (142 Waterloo Street) ...... 265 11.1.2 Specific Provision Area 2 (Lexington Crescent and Cedarcliffe Drive) ...... 265 11.1.3 Specific Provision Area 3 (Erbsville Community) ...... 265 11.1.4 Specific Provision Area 4 (Country Squire Community) ...... 266 11.1.5 Specific Provision Area 5 (443 & 446 Wismer Street) ...... 266 11.1.6 Specific Provision Area 6 (181 King Street South) ...... 266 11.1.7 Specific Provision Area 7 (460 Wismer Street) ...... 267 11.1.8 Specific Provision Area 8 (West Side Nodes) ...... 267 11.1.9 Specific Provision Area 9 (380 Weber Street/Manulife)...... 268 11.1.10 Specific Provision Area 10 (Former Seagram Lands)...... 272 11.1.11 Specific Provision Area 11 (3-5 Father David Bauer Drive) ...... 273 11.1.12 Specific Provision Area 12 (Lutherwood) ...... 274 11.1.13 Specific Provision Area 13 (70 Westmount Road North) ...... 275 11.1.14 Specific Provision Area 14 (Seasonal Trailer Park) ...... 275 11.1.15 Specific Provision Area 15 (Allen/Park/William/Caroline Streets) ...... 275 11.1.16 Specific Provision Area 16 (Erb Street West) ...... 276 11.1.17 Specific Provision Area 17 (Barrel Yards) ...... 276 11.1.18 Specific Provision Area 18 (Barrel Yards) ...... 277 v

11.1.19 Specific Provision Area 19 (404 Erb Street West) ...... 277 11.1.20 Specific Provision Area 20 (Lands around Wilfrid Laurier University) ...... 278 11.1.21 Specific Provision Area 21 (414 Erb St West) ...... 281 11.1.22 Specific Provision Area 22 (105 University Avenue East) ...... 281 11.1.23 Specific Provision Area 23 (Westmount Road North/Bearinger Road) ...... 282 11.1.24 Specific Provision Area 24 (50 Weber Street North) ...... 282 11.1.25 Specific Provision Area 25 (Part of Grey Silo District) ...... 282 11.1.26 Specific Provision Area 26 (Part of Grey Silo District) ...... 284 11.1.27 Specific Provision Area 27 (Part of Grey Silo District) ...... 284 11.1.28 Specific Provision Area 28 (187 King Street S./155 Caroline Street S.)...... 285 11.1.29 Specific Provision Area 29 (144 Park Street) ...... 285 11.1.30 Specific Provision Area 30 (31 Union Street East) ...... 288 11.1.31 Specific Provision Area 31 (West Side Mixed-Use Commercial Centre) ...... 289 11.1.32 Specific Provision Area 32 (48 Moore Avenue South) ...... 294 11.1.33 Specific Provision Area 33 (MacGregor/Albert HCD) ...... 294 11.1.34 Specific Provision Area 34 (University Expansion Area) ...... 297 11.1.35 Specific Provision Area 35 (University Expansion Area) ...... 298 11.1.36 Specific Provision Area 36 (Conestoga College Expansion Area) ...... 299 11.1.37 Specific Provision Area 37 (Beaver Creek Node) ...... 299 11.1.38 Specific Provision Area 38 (247 and 253 King Street North) ...... 300 11.1.39 Specific Provision Area 39 (605 and 609 Davenport Road)...... 302 11.1.40 Specific Provision Area 40 (41 Ira Needles Boulevard) ...... 303 11.1.41 Specific Provision Area 41 (Part of West Hill District) ...... 303 11.1.42 Specific Provision Area 42 (Weber Street/Northfield Drive) ...... 303 11.1.43 Specific Provision Area 43 (Columbia Street West) ...... 308 11.1.44 Specific Provision Area 44 (Specific Corridor Commercial lands) ...... 309 11.1.45 Specific Provision Area 45 (Northdale Neighbourhood) ...... 310 11.1.45a Specific Provision Area 45a (Waterloo Collegiate Institute) ...... 338 11.1.45b Specific Provision Area 45b (Veterans’ Green Housing) ...... 340 11.1.45c Specific Provision Area 45c (University/Phillip/Columbia/Lester Block) ...... 341 11.14.46 Specific Provision Area 26 (255 Northfield Drive) ...... 342 11.1.47 Specific Provision Area 47 (Erb Street West Corridor Commercial) ...... 345 11.1.48 Specific Provision Area 48 (237 and 239 Auburn Drive) ...... 347 11.1.49 Specific Provision Area 49 (285 Benjamin Road) ...... 348 11.1.50 Specific Provision Area 50 (300-330 Phillip Street) ...... 348 11.1.51 Specific Provision Area 51 applies to certain lands known municipally as 256 Phillip Street (the “Site”) as identified on Schedule ‘A’ attached...... 351 11.1.52 Specific Provision Area 52 (203 Lester Street) ...... 352 11.1.53 Specific Provision Area 53 (300 and 350 Northfield Drive East) ...... 352 11.1.54 Specific Provision Area 54 (128, 130, 136 King Street North, 6 Elgin Street) ...... 353 11.1.55 Specific Provision Area 55 applied to certain lands known municipally as 267 Lester Street (the "Site") as identified on Schedule 'A6' attached...... 353 11.1.56 Specific Provision Area 56 (62 Balsam Street) ...... 354 11.1.57 Specific Provision Area 57 (124 and 130 Columbia Street West, 365 Albert Street)...... 355 11.1.58 Specific Provision Area 58 applied to certain lands known municipally as 275 Lester Street (the "Site") as identified on Schedule 'A6' attached...... 356 11.1.59 Specific Provision Area 59 (Clemmer) ...... 356 vi

11.1.60 Specific Provision Area 60 (King/Northfield Commercial Area) ...... 361 11.1.61 Specific Provision Area 61 (550 King Street N, 575 Davenport Road) ...... 362 11.1.62 Specific Provision Area 62 (Beaver Creek Meadows District Plan Area) ...... 362 11.1.63 Specific Provision Area 63 (450 – 460 Weber Street North) ...... 362 11.1.64 Specific Provision Area 64 (339, 345-347 and 355 Erb Street West) ...... 363 11.1.65 Specific Provision Area 65 (6 Dietz Avenue South) ...... 363 11.1.66 Specific Provision Area 66 (Industrial Park Gateways – Corridor Commercial Lands) ...... 364 11.1.67 Specific Provision Area 67 (Industrial Park Gateways – Business Employment Lands)...... 364 11.1.68 Specific Provision Area 68 (305 Northfield Drive East) ...... 366 11.1.69 Specific Provision Area 69 (93-119 Roger Street) ...... 367 11.1.71 Specific Provision Area 71 (80 King Street South and 87 Regina Street South) ...... 368 CHAPTER 12 IMPLEMENTATION ...... 371

12.1 OBJECTIVES ...... 371 12.2 MANAGING GROWTH AND CHANGE ...... 372 12.2.1 District Plans and Station Area Plans ...... 372 12.2.2 Zoning By-Laws ...... 377 12.2.3 Holding Provisions ...... 378 12.2.4 Site Plan Control ...... 381 12.2.5 Subdivision Control ...... 382 12.2.6 Temporary Use By-laws ...... 383 12.2.7 Property Standards By-law ...... 383 12.2.8 Development Charges By-law ...... 384 12.2.9 Parkland Dedication ...... 384 12.2.10 Committee of Adjustment ...... 386 12.2.11 Non-Conforming Land Uses ...... 387 12.2.12 Capital Works Program ...... 389 12.2.13 Staging of Development ...... 389 12.2.14 Complete Applications ...... 390 12.2.15 Development Permit System ...... 393 12.2.16 Other Relevant Legislation...... 394 12.3 MUNICIPAL INCENTIVES ...... 395 12.3.1 Height/Density Bonusing ...... 395 12.3.2 Community Improvement Plans ...... 398 12.3.3 Cash-in-lieu of Parking ...... 400 12.4 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ...... 401 12.4.1 General Public Involvement Policies ...... 401 12.4.2 Public Meetings and Notification...... 402 12.4.3 Informal Public Meeting ...... 403 12.4.4 Formal Public Meeting ...... 404 12.4.5 Neighbourhood Open House...... 405 12.4.6 Committees of Council ...... 406 12.5 REVIEW, AMENDMENTS AND CONSOLIDATIONS ...... 406 12.6 MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT ...... 408 12.7 ROLES IN DECISION MAKING ...... 408 12.7.1 Council ...... 408 12.7.2 Public ...... 409 vii

GLOSSARY OF OFFICIAL PLAN TERMINOLOGY ...... 411 LIST OF SCHEDULES Schedule ‘A’ – Land Use Plan Schedule ‘A1’ – Commercial Land Uses Schedule ‘A2’ – Employment Areas Schedule ‘A3’ – Open Space Land Uses Schedule ‘A4’ – Natural System Schedule ‘A5’ – Natural Hazards Schedule ‘A6’ – Specific Provision Areas Schedule ‘A6a’ – Specific Provision Area 20 Schedule ‘B’ – City Structure Schedule ‘B1’ – Height and Density Schedule ‘B2’ – Uptown Waterloo Urban Growth Centre Schedule ‘B3’ – Designated Greenfield Areas Schedule ‘B4’ – Source Water Protection Areas Schedule ‘C’ – District Boundaries Schedule ‘D’ – Heritage Conservation District Schedule ‘E’ – Road Classification System Schedule ‘F’ – Active Transportation Framework Schedule ‘G’ – Road Allowances Schedule ‘H’ – Mineral Aggregate Resource Areas Schedule ‘I’ – Industrial Transitional Areas Schedule ‘J’ – Station Areas Schedule ‘J1’ – Conestoga Station Area Schedule ‘J2’ –Northfield Station Area Schedule ‘J3’ –Research and Technology Station Area Schedule ‘J4’ –University of Waterloo Station Area Schedule ‘J5’ –Waterloo Park Station Area

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