The MHBPNA Development Committee has been operating for over 5 years.  We are a group of 10 neighbours, residing in Ward 10, whose primary focus has been to identify development issues and advocate on behalf of the neighbourhood.  Our other primary purpose is to help all residents of MHBP understand how the planning process works.

The committee was initially established years ago because we knew that the ION would bring substantial changes to our neighbourhood.  Neighbours felt we should be able to unite as a group and give feedback to the Region and the City as to how we wanted to see development happen in our area.  We pulled together a group of 10 residents who were all interested in making sure Mount Hope/Breithaupt remained a great place to live.  Although the membership of the committee has changed and evolved over the years I would like to extend a thanks to the current members ….

Jorg Broschek –  representative from the Neighbourhood Association

Linda Vandenakker – representative from the Neighbourhood Association

Mark Sisson – tracking and communicating all Committee of Adjustment Applications

Nik Schmidt – managing our technology tools and updating our neighbourhood maps on planning changes

Gordon Hatt/Scott Morris/Tom Hiller – providing feedback to the city on traffic issues, the Region on the Transit Hub design

And lastly to Sarah Marsh who has been a wonderful addition to our group, who attended almost every monthly meeting and who helped us make valuable personal connections at City Hall.

Over the years, the Development Committee has provided input for the city on the RIENS guidelines (Residential Intensification in Existing Neighbourhoods), the ADU procedures (additional dwelling units), the planning education videos on the city’s website, the coordination and review of Crozby  (the city’s zoning review), new procedures for Committee of Adjustment notifications and the new re-development signs posted on re-development sites. We have continually liaised with the Region regarding the new transit hub and the closure of Duke and Waterloo Streets.   Our “geo-mapping tool”, developed to identify all developments in Mt. Hope was seen as “best practice” and was used by the City as a template for new mapping tools in the city. We have also continued to provide feedback to the Region of Waterloo on their official plan amendments and the “hold the country line initiative”.  We rallied around the opposition to the Google build (a parking garage on the site) and the height of the build. . {The city also uses the Development Committee as the primary and initial contact with the neighbourhood (in addition, of course, to the City Councillor).

Although there are not as many significant issues in Mr. Hope from a planning perspective as there were five years ago, we continue to offer to support to residents/neighbours on large builds and neighbourhood concerns over demolition and Committee of Adjustment issues.  We often consult with neighbours who wish to object to C of A rulings, infill, tree canopy issues, and potential new builds.

Places and Spaces (which identified the dire need for more parkland in Wards 9 and 10 was a focus for us in 2022.  The new Tree Canopy initiative by the city (to increase the number of trees) in 2023 will also remain on our radar screen

Here is a recap of some of these Committee of Adjustment, demolition, and infill projects we investigated and monitored in 2022:

• 1. 239/241 Wellington – exterior build only
  2. 91 Louisa at Waterloo – demolition/infill;
  3. 44 Wilhelm – demo/infill – C of A;
  4. Ahrens/Louisa – new build;
  5. King & Pine – 25 story apartment – passed, building permit issued;
  6. King/Wellington vacant site – bylaw complaint/building permit inquiry;
  7. Perimeter/Google – new build – sidewalk access;
  8. 18 Guelph, 56 Wilhelm, 528 Lancaster, 783 Guelph, 306 St. Leger, 239/241 Wellington, 102 Waterloo, 81 Shanley

In addition to residential units, we continue to monitor larger developments

• The proposed additional build on the Google site
• The Transit Hub
• Sacred Heart Complex
• The boarded up MacDonald building on King/Moore
• The vacant site on Wellington/King

In essence the MHBPNA Development Committee is here to offer support to all residents on the neighbourhood on development issues.  Please feel free to contact a member of the committee if you have issues you need help with.  And, if you are interested in becoming involved and want to join the committee, we typically meet the first Thursday of the month – you can connect at mhbpna@gmail.com

Sincerely, Catherine Owens

Chair, MHBPNA Development Committee.