Waterloo looking to expand plans for affordable housing development near RIM Park

Affordable housing remains top of mind as the City of Waterloo looks to expand its plans for a development in the north end of the city.

At the end of April, the city approved first steps and began the consultation process for the property located at 2025 University Avenue East near RIM Park.

The process included discussions with Indigenous groups and other residents of both Waterloo and Woolwich Township, as part of the property backs onto the township’s border.

Using the feedback from the process, a revised plan is looking to expand the original vision, increasing the height of some of the buildings to 12 storeys and create mixed-use spaces.

That includes adding commercial and office space to the bottom floors and reducing parking space to half or three-quarters of the total units.

The city’s report said this is to encourage alternative and active transit options and to reduce environmental impacts.

According to the city, the revised plan is consistent with the affordable housing goal of the original plan supporting a “range of incomes” with both rental and ownership units.

City council will meet on Monday afternoon to decide whether to proceed with the new plan and move on to next steps.

Those steps include submitting a minister’s zoning order request in June, evaluating possible disposition and development options by July, and implementing the approved plans in 2025.