Steph Goertz
for Mayor
Development • Infrastructure
• Affordability • Housing
Below are some of the policies or actions I will take for this specific topic
Visit my Priorities page to see all of my priorities
Wilmot Council has six members. If elected as Mayor, I will have one vote. I can bring ideas forward, advocate for policy changes, ask questions, work with other members of Council and build support—but I cannot promise how other members will vote.
It is important for you to vote for people who have demonstrated their commitment to our community and who will work together.
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Find Lower-Cost Ways to Solve Infrastructure Problems
Infrastructure is one of the largest financial challenges facing municipalities. Roads, bridges, culverts, stormwater systems and other infrastructure are increasingly expensive to build, replace and maintain. At the same time, taxpayers are being asked to pay more and municipalities are struggling to keep up with existing infrastructure needs.
We need to look for different ways to solve these problems.
I will advocate for the Township to compare conventional engineered infrastructure with natural and nature-based solutions where appropriate. The comparison should include construction costs, maintenance, lifespan, total lifecycle costs and available outside funding.
If a natural or hybrid solution can provide the required level of protection at a lower long-term cost, it should be considered alongside conventional infrastructure.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Municipal Fund provides funding for nature-based climate adaptation projects. Eligible projects can include wetland restoration or construction, floodplain restoration, aquifer recharge-area rehabilitation, rain gardens, bioswales, shoreline restoration and other green infrastructure. Its implementation funding can cover a portion of eligible project costs.
Official Plan and Bylaws for Development, Infrastructure and Settlement-Boundary Decisions
I will advocate for changes to our Official Plan and bylaws for significant development, infrastructure or settlement-boundary decisions affecting prime agricultural areas, to require that:
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impacts on the agricultural system be avoided wherever feasible and, where they cannot be avoided, minimized and mitigated. Evaluation should consider not only the amount of agricultural land lost, but also fragmentation, impacts on surrounding agricultural operations, drainage, farm access, transportation and the continued viability of the surrounding agricultural area; and
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where reasonable alternative locations or designs exist that would result in less loss or fragmentation of prime agricultural land, those alternatives be evaluated before approval.
Residents of Wilmot Township spent over 6 months reviewing Official Plans across Waterloo Region. During this time they communicated with staff from all municipalities to ensure they were aware of the strong policies created throughout the Region. Prior to the Official Plan going before Wilmot council, residents held several meetings with councillors to share suggestions from other municipalities and to address concerns.
Not one of the suggested policies, already approved in the Woolwich or Kitchener Official Plans, was discussed or recommended by any member of council at Wilmot's Official Plan meeting. Our Official Plan was passed without changes, even after a Wilmot resident and former Region of Waterloo Planner who helped to create previous Official Plans raised a concern. (Read more on my blog)
Woolwich's Official Plan was created to protect farmland, water and rural character. Our Official Plan is 1/4 the size of theirs and lacks the same focus.
Use Township-Owned Land for Affordable Housing
I will advocate to use Township-owned land for housing instead of automatically selling it. First create an inventory of Township-owned properties and ask whether any are suitable for housing. Where appropriate, Wilmot could keep ownership of the land and provide a long-term lease to a non-profit, co-op or other affordable-housing provider.
Use the planned Community Improvement Plan to create housing in our existing communities.
Use the planned Community Improvement Plan to create housing in our existing communities. Wilmot's Strategic Plan already calls for a CIP with incentives to revitalize the urban cores and encourage affordable housing. That could include helping property owners create apartments above shops, convert suitable underused buildings, redevelop vacant sites or add rental units.
Make it easier to add a second or third unit
Wilmot already allows additional residential units in many situations, but the process can still be difficult to navigate. I would advocate for a faster, clearer process for homeowners who want to add a legal second or third unit, including simple checklists, step-by-step guidance and standard or pre-reviewed design templates where possible. This could help create more rental housing, multigenerational housing and options for seniors while making better use of homes and properties we already have.