Official Plan amendment for Bill 109 (More Homes for Everyone Act)

The City of Waterloo’s Planning Division is reviewing our application processes and public involvement policies, which are set out in the city’s Official Plan, as a result of some changes made by the province.

In the spring of 2022, the Province of Ontario passed Bill 109, the More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022. This bill made a variety of changes to land use planning in Ontario, which is primarily governed by the Planning Act, with the goal of increasing housing supply and streamlining development approvals. In response to this new legislation, modifications will be considered through housekeeping amendments to the Official Plan, targeted for a decision by Council in spring/summer 2023.

Beginning July 1, 2023, municipalities are required to refund application fees (Zoning By-law Amendment, combined Official Plan Amendment/Zoning By-law Amendment, Site Plan applications) if a planning decision is not made by the municipality within the statutory timelines. Statutory timelines begin at 90 days for a Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA), 120 days for a combined Official Plan Amendment/Zoning By-law Amendment (OPA/ZBA), and 60 days for a Site Plan application. In order to meet the statutory timelines for a ZBA or a OPA/ZBA, planning processes at the City of Waterloo will need to be further streamlined, which may include:

• shortened notice periods (currently 10-14 days)
• shortened commenting periods
• amended notice procedures (i.e., how notice is given)
• holding only one (1) public meeting per application (currently two public meetings are held)
• delegation of certain planning approvals to staff (currently site planning is delegated to staff)

Getting involved

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