Introduction

This report provides a summary of Community Meeting #1 for 250 Lincoln Road, which was held on June 18th, 2026, at Lincoln Heights Public School. Feedback gathered through this engagement will help inform the planning process and the preliminary design concepts. A second Community Meeting is planned for fall of 2026.

Background and Anticipated Timeline

The property at 250 Lincoln Road was formerly occupied by St. Columba Anglican Church. The City of Waterloo purchased the site in April 2025 to support future affordable housing. The redevelopment of the site is advancing through a phased planning process.

The following timeline is anticipated:

• Summer 2026: Preparation of design concepts and technical studies to support submission of a development application.
• Fall 2026: Community Meeting #2 and submission of development application(s).
• Fall and Winter 2026: Development application circulation to commenting departments and external agencies, such as the Waterloo Region District School Board.
• Winter 2027: Informal and formal public meetings will be held for final review and consideration of the design concepts, development application and associated technical studies.
• Winter to Spring 2027: Development applications will be presented to City Council for a decision.
  

Objectives

The following objectives are intended to guide the re-development of 250 Lincoln Road in a manner that is appropriate in the context of the surrounding neighbourhood and is aligned with Provincial and local policy objectives:

• Deliver housing that is affordable and attainable for the long term;
• Make efficient use of the lands while designing for livability and connection to the surrounding neighbourhood;
• Integrate sustainability and climate change mitigation and adaptation into building and site design, materials and construction, operation and maintenance;
• Design for safe, convenient and connected active and accessible travel to transit stops, active transportation routes, and nearby amenities, and;
• Make information about the project available to the public;
• Build relationships with neighbourhood residents, community organizations and interested and impacted groups;
• Understand the aspirations, concerns and priorities of various interested and impacted groups and audiences;
• Refine the preliminary concept to integrate and respond to feedback, where feasible; and;
• Positively contribute to the growth and evolution of the city.
• Mailed Notices – Notices inviting participants to Community Meeting #1 were mailed to properties within a 125-metre radius of 250 Lincoln Road.
• EngageWR Website – A dedicated project page was launched on the EngageWR platform to provide information about the proposed development, project updates, frequently asked questions, and opportunities for public feedback.
• Social Media – Information about the project and upcoming engagement opportunities was shared through the City of Waterloo's social media channels to increase awareness and encourage participation.
• Community Meetings – An in-person Community Meeting was held to introduce the project, provide background on the City's affordable housing initiative, answer questions, and gather community feedback. Additional public engagement opportunities will continue as the project progresses.
• Comment Forms – In addition to the presentation and question period at Community Meeting #1, participants were invited to complete and submit comment forms to provide feedback on the project. The comments received will help inform the ongoing review, technical studies, and development of the preferred concept for the site.

Support diversity and inclusion, social cohesion and community well-being.

Engagement Overview

The City is committed to a community engagement process that exceeds the statutory public consultation requirements of the Planning Act.

In addition to the Informal and Formal public meetings, the City will undertake a number of community meetings to provide information to gather feedback to inform the planning application review process and the future design of the site.

Engagement is intended to include consultation with residents, interest groups, Regional staff, affordable housing providers, community organizations and through the EngageWR project page to better understand local housing needs and development priorities. Input will also be collected on the types and sizes of housing that are most needed, such as affordable family-sized units, multi-generational housing, accessible units, and housing for lower-income seniors.

Community Engagement Objectives

The development of an affordable housing project on this site is guided by the following objectives:

• make information about the project available to the public;
• build relationships with neighbourhood residents, community organizations and interested and impacted groups;
• understand the aspirations, concerns and priorities of various interested and impacted groups and audiences;
• refine the preliminary concept to integrate and respond to feedback, where feasible; and;
• positively contribute to the growth and evolution of the city.

Engagement Activities and Tools

The following engagement methods were used to inform the community and encourage participation:

• Mailed Notices – Notices inviting participants to Community Meeting #1 were mailed to properties within a 125-metre radius of 250 Lincoln Road.
• EngageWR Website – A dedicated project page was launched on the EngageWR platform to provide information about the proposed development, project updates, frequently asked questions, and opportunities for public feedback.
• Social Media – Information about the project and upcoming engagement opportunities was shared through the City of Waterloo's social media channels to increase awareness and encourage participation.
• Community Meetings – An in-person Community Meeting was held to introduce the project, provide background on the City's affordable housing initiative, answer questions, and gather community feedback. Additional public engagement opportunities will continue as the project progresses.
• Comment Forms – In addition to the presentation and question period at Community Meeting #1, participants were invited to complete and submit comment forms to provide feedback on the project. The comments received will help inform the ongoing review, technical studies, and development of the preferred concept for the site.

How to read this document

This document summarizes the questions and feedback received from the community regarding the proposed affordable housing development at 250 Lincoln Road. While several of these topics were discussed during Community Meeting #1, this report provides a summary of comments, questions, and concerns raised by participants in the form of a question, along with a summary of the responses provided during the Community Meeting, as well as expanding on those responses to provide additional information.

What We Heard

Built Form, Height and Density

Built form, height and density were among the most frequently discussed topics during the meeting. Many participants expressed concerns that a tall, high-density development would not be compatible with the surrounding low-rise neighbourhood and indicated a preference for townhouses or a two- to three-storey apartment building. Participants questioned why the site had been selected for affordable housing, how many units would be included in the development, whether the proposed height would establish a precedent for future developments, and if zoning currently permits a taller building. Concerns were also raised about potential impacts on neighbourhood character and property values. Participants also requested that examples of constructed affordable housing projects be provided to demonstrate built form of a similar type and scale.

Q: Why was 250 Lincoln Road selected for affordable housing, and what type of development is being considered?
A: The city has very little unplanned land remaining and is now focusing future growth through infill development within the City. The subject property was purchased by the City on the open market and has been identified by Council for future housing. While no development concept has been finalized, the City advised that any future proposal is not anticipated to exceed six storeys or approximately 100 residential units. The City’s Official Plan has established the policy framework for this approach. Specifically, Section 10.1.3.4(b) of the Official Plan permits consideration of residential buildings up to six storeys, subject to approval of a site-specific Zoning By-law Amendment and demonstration that the proposal is compatible with the surrounding area and satisfies the applicable planning policies. Any future development proposal will be subject to the City's development review process, including technical studies, public consultation, and Council consideration before any approvals are granted.

Affordable and Supportive Housing

Participants asked for additional information about the proposed affordable housing development, including who the future residents would be, how the housing would be managed, how affordable housing differs from shelters or transitional housing, and whether a co-operative housing model could be considered. Some participants expressed concern that Lincoln Heights already contains a significant amount of affordable housing and questioned why this site had been selected. Others emphasized the importance of ensuring the development integrates well with the surrounding neighbourhood and is maintained over the long term.

Q: What is affordable housing and how does it differ from a shelter or transitional housing?
A: Affordable housing, as defined by the Province, is housing that costs no more than 30 per cent of a household's pre-tax income, allowing households to meet their other basic needs without experiencing housing affordability challenges. Affordable housing can include a range of housing types and tenures, such as rental and ownership units. Unlike emergency shelters, crisis housing, or transitional housing, which provide short-term accommodation and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability, affordable housing is intended to provide stable, long-term housing for households seeking secure and attainable homes within the community.

Q: Will this development include supportive housing and how is that different from affordable housing?
A: The City is open to exploring opportunities for certain types of supportive housing. Supportive housing refers to housing programs that have a combination of housing assistance and support services such as accessible and barrier-free design features to support residents of all ages and abilities. This site is not intended to function as a shelter, crisis housing, or transitional housing facility for at-risk individuals.

Q: Who will live in this development, and how will it be managed?
A: This project forms one component of the City's broader housing strategy and responds to provincial housing targets. The development is intended to provide long-term affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households, with a goal of a minimum of 30% of the units being affordable and the remainder a mix of attainable and market rate housing. Future development partners will be selected through a competitive procurement process, and the city is open to a range of affordable housing delivery models, including co-operative housing, with the preferred approach to be determined at a later date.

Traffic

Participants expressed concerns about existing and future traffic conditions, particularly at the intersection of Lincoln Road and Mayfield Avenue, and questioned how additional housing could affect congestion and neighbourhood streets. Participants emphasized the importance of ensuring that any future development minimizes traffic impacts and safely accommodates residents and visitors.

Q: Will this development increase congestion at the intersection of Lincoln Road and Mayfield Avenue and on neighbourhood streets?

A: The project team advised that a Traffic Impact Study may be required as part of a future development application. A Traffic Impact Study would evaluate existing traffic conditions, assess the impact of the proposed development, and recommend any necessary improvements to proposed parking and vehicle movements.

Lincoln Heights Public School Pick-up and Drop-off

Participants discussed the importance of safely accommodating vehicle circulation and pick-up and drop-off activity, particularly given the site's proximity to Lincoln Heights Public School. Concerns focused on maintaining safe traffic operations during peak periods and ensuring that on-site parking and circulation are appropriately designed.

Q: How will the development safely accommodate vehicle circulation and school pick-up/drop-off, given its proximity to Lincoln Heights Public School?

A: Vehicle access, parking, site circulation, and school pick-up and drop-off requirements will all be considered during the design process and evaluated through transportation studies submitted with future planning applications for the site. In addition, the City’s transportation team is actively working with the Waterloo Region District School Board to address concerns regarding the current pick-up and drop-off arrangement and to arrange for long-term solutions. The Project Team anticipates that the existing parking lot at 250 Lincoln Road will continue to be available for pick-up and drop-off in the interim for the 2026-2027 school year.

Other Matters

Climate change, sustainable building design, tree preservation, and the use of durable building materials were also discussed. Staff noted that sustainability will remain an important consideration during the design process, including opportunities for sustainable building features, tree preservation and replacement planting where necessary.

Conclusion

Community Meeting #1 provided an opportunity for participants to learn about the proposed affordable housing project at 250 Lincoln Road, ask questions and share their perspectives. The discussion highlighted several key themes including: built form; height and density; traffic; water servicing; pick-up and drop-off operations; and the purpose and delivery of affordable housing. Participants also shared broader comments regarding neighbourhood character, sustainability, and the future of the site.

The feedback received through this meeting will help inform the next stages of the project as planning and design progress. Additional technical studies, including traffic and servicing studies, will be completed as part of any future development application. The City remains committed to continuing public engagement and will share future development concepts, technical findings, and opportunities for community input as the project advances.