From the Cord

City councillors to lead planning for 'student ghetto'

Nick Lachance
December 2, 2009 5:36 AM
Linda Givetash

On Nov. 26, a town meeting was hosted in St. Michael’s Church for the Northdale community to discuss the future of the area as the neighbouring universities continue to grow.
“We’re not a permanent resident and student neighborhood anymore, we’re a student neighborhood with a few remaining permanent residents,” said Christine Carmody, area resident and member of Help Urbanize the Ghetto in Waterloo (HUG Waterloo).
The population of Northdale – the area north of Wilfrid Laurier University between the University of Waterloo and King Street – has transformed from primarily long-term residing families to frequently moving students.
Before attendees broke into discussion groups to critique the community vision presented by councilor Jan d’Ailly and city staff, members of HUG Waterloo stepped in to present their alternate proposal.
“We don’t feel that our voice is being heard by our own councilor,” said Jim Flynn, member of HUG Waterloo.
“We’ve had meeting after meeting and we always seem like we’re starting but really ... it’s a failure to launch,” he added.
This town hall acted as a follow-up to the meeting held in April 2009 which addressed the major concerns of both permanent and student residents.
The vision proposed by the city encompassed those concerns and outlined the developments they would like to see in the future.
Having looked over both proposed visions, councilor d’Ailly said, “Actually if you take a close look at it they’re remarkably similar. There’s about 80 per cent overlap.”
This was not a view shared by HUG Waterloo members. “The one with the city, the one that Jan d’Ailly created, I don’t think represents all of the city, it’s completely unrealistic,” said Carmody.
The solution proposed by HUG Waterloo is to rezone the area to allow for higher density housing, such as apartment buildings, that are designed for the student lifestyle.
“Our houses just don’t suit the purpose [of residents] that actually live in our community, so why not build something that’s actually good for students,” said Carmody.
Regardless of the problems with the current measures in place for housing in the area, students should still be informed and engaged in order to help progress community development.
“I think the first step is not to be putting yourself in a bad situation,” said third-year Laurier student Jackie Dobson, who is chair of the Mayor’s Student Advisory Council (MSAC).
“Students [need to] become aware of these issues before they’re in these situations, because once you’re in these situations you’re bounded by a 12-month contract that you cant get out of,” added Dobson.
In addition to the physical faults of the area, the relationship between students and permanent residents, including behavioural concerns, were discussed.
“I regret that we’re constantly labeling the whole student group as a problem when they’re not,” said Mayor Brenda Halloran on the frustrated accusations made by some community members.
“There will be a few students that might act up but there are a thousand, tens of thousands that don’t,” said Halloran.
The next step for the community had originally included the creation of a small committee to develop a more concrete plan for the area. This was scrapped in favour of allowing city council to draw the options.
Laurier student Asif Bacchus was first to raise the idea of allowing city officials to develop a plan rather than place the burden on community members.
“What’s happened at the last few meetings and especially this meeting its been made really, really clear what the people in that area want,” said Bacchus.
“It’s time for city council to … put all those opinions together into a cohesive plan for the future to make what everyone wants a reality.”
According to d’Ailly, proposals should be completed in January of next year with a final vision ready for council in March.

Check out HUG's blog www.hugwaterloo.com

The Green Solution for Northdale

Join Hugwaterloo and Help Urbanize the Ghetto

The taxpaying homeowners of Northdale invite you, students and taxpayers from the rest of Waterloo, and other interested parties, to resolve the unending struggle to “solve” the problems of a student ghetto by encouraging Waterloo City Council to move forward with a proactive 21st century design solution.

Re-urbanization through Intensification is the goal

The Problem: (www.universitiesneighbourhood.blogspot.com)
The current zoning (SR2) is not being used as it was originally intended: single family occupancy
The perception of the area as a “student zone” prevents homes from attracting owner-occupants
The large yards are not being used for any practical purpose, but instead encourage partying, lawn parking, garbage accumulation, fireworks, etc.
There are only 6 houses left used solely for owner-occupancy (no rentals) owned by people under 60.
The zoning is inappropriate for the natural evolution of the area and the city needs to find the will to rezone to MR zoning large enough for on-site property managers.
The city is stuck on defending a failed model and propping it up with your tax dollars.
The area between Lester, University, Columbia and King Streets is fast becoming a Kingston style embarrassment to the residents of the city and Region as the long-time owners leave their homes, unable to attract owner-occupants.
The city has rezoned WCI, St. David’s, and St. Michael’s church properties for apartment buildings, leaving nothing to attract families long-term.
Hundreds of charges are laid in a month (September) (seniors threatened, families vandalized)

The Vision:

Transit-oriented mixed-use development (bus is a 1 block walk and future LRT)
World class modern design replaces 1960’s inefficient housing stock
Green elements – LEEDS compliant
One-Neighbourhood context for housing, employment, education, retail, professional spaces, recreation, arts, culture (cars unnecessary)
First class team of architects and design professionals
Project that serves as a model of outstanding transit-oriented development
A neighbourhood of pride for all taxpayers of Waterloo City and Region.
Car-free neighbourhood
Intensification in the core to preserve the outlying green areas.
Showcase local energy efficient companies in the building form (eg. ARISE) for the world to see.
Reflects well on our close-proximity internationally renowned institutions and corporations
Reinforces “ intelligent community” label
Increased density supports Uptown Waterloo businesses (short walk away)


Benefits for the Community

Draws students back into an attractive, safe, urban neighbourhood and out of the suburbs freeing up housing stock for families.
Provides neighbourhood retail services for easy access.
Enhanced public environment and pedestrian experience through landscaping and streetscape improvements.
Carefully balanced layout and proposed design elements premised on Grow Up, Not Out
Provides modern managed condos/apartments for technology sector employees in close walking distance to work.
The neighbourhood can become an icon of modern urban design principles, building a community from the ground up, that the world coming to our streets (CIGI, Universities, RIM, etc.) can look on with respect – an ECOTOPIA.

Benefits for Taxpayers

Reduced cost of policing by creating a diverse neighbourhood that people take pride in
Free up policing resources for more significant crimes than managing noise and keg parties
Reduced demand on bylaw enforcement (lot maintenance, parties, property standards)
Avoid the proposed licensing costs ($800,000 hit for taxpayers) by eliminating the housing form that promotes partying, rundown housing, garbage, etc. (pg. 14 of the rental housing licensing review)
Increased tax revenue through rezoning for intensification
Preserve the moraine for Waterloo’s water resources
Exceeding the urban intensification guidelines of Places to Grow preserves limited green lands
Green design principles reduce the burden on water supplies, sewers, other infrastructure as Waterloo grows

Join Us - Be a Ghetto-Buster

Help turn Northdale into an energetic, urban neighbourhood, with a diverse population, environmentally progressive, a model of how a city can work together to turn a failed neighbourhood that pits resident against resident into a model of co-operation and pride. When Waterloo Intensifies Northdale we all WIN.

How you can help:

Sign the petition at hugwaterloo.com

Write letters to the paper.

Tell your friends they can help “green” Waterloo.

Tell your fellow taxpayers that Waterloo is wasting their taxes managing this when a better solution exists.

Next year is municipal election year: make sure that your councillor realizes you don’t want anymore of your tax dollars going to prop up a failure of policy and planning that has been unraveling for 20 years.
Make sure they know that you want Waterloo to move into the 21st century with Urban Design Principles that we can all be proud of.

Contact: hugwaterloo@gmail.com

Facebook: HUGWaterloo

No clear future
established
for troubled
neighbourhood

By Jeff Outhit, Record staff

Waterloo:

People agree city council has
failed to stabilize a campus-area neighbourhood
dominated by students, stress and trouble.
They disagree on how to move forward in
Northdale.
Deborah Easson, who chairs a coalition of
residents, says council should abandon zoning
restrictions meant to preserve the dwindling
remains of its single-family character.
Instead, council should let permanent residents
sell their properties to apartment developers.
Large, managed properties would solve student
parking, garbage and partying problems,
and might attract technology workers back into
the neighbourhood, she contends.
“When you have a neighbourhood that’s this
big a mess, and this big a sinkhole for tax dollars,
why wouldn’t you want to move to a modern,
urban, green-design standard?” Easson asked.
Coun. Jan d’Ailly, who represents the ward, is
not persuaded intensification will work, saying
it’s unrealistic to expect developers to gobble up
the remaining homes any time soon.
“What’s in place now is not working,” he said.
But “I can look at lots of communities that have
high intensities that just do not work.”
Northdale is bounded by University Avenue
and Philip, Columbia and King streets. The area
is home to many students from Wilfrid Laurier
University and the University of Waterloo.
Permanent residents say problems with noise,
garbage, parties and bad behaviour are getting
worse.
Thursday night, more than 80 residents gathered
in a neighbourhood church to draft a new
vision for Northdale, following up on a similar
session held last April. The result will be used to
help guide city officials in drafting solutions.
Many residents applauded calls for intensification.
In an interview before the meeting, Easson
took aim at d’Ailly, accusing him of refusing to
make intensification part of the community
vision.
“Our councillor seems to have an agenda all
his own,” Easson said. “He will not listen.”
“I don’t think that’s fair,” d’Ailly said. “I am
probably the only one who’s pushing through an
agenda here, to try to address the issues in Northdale.”

jouthit@therecord.com

City drafts new noise bylaw

City drafts new noise bylaw



By Greg MacDonald, Chronicle Staff
News
Nov 11, 2009



The City of Waterloo is drafting a new noise bylaw and officials say the updated rules will make it easier to determine violations.
The new bylaw isn’t just good for people concerned about noise in the city, but those who have received complaints, said Coun. Karen Scian.
She pointed to a situation where a neighbour complained about the noise from students at a school singing the national anthem as a downside to the current bylaw.
“I think this adds a level of reasonableness to the situation,” Scian said.
In the past, citing bylaw violations was more art than science, but thanks to a recently purchased decibel meter, infractions will be assessed based on the actual loudness of the noise rather than the perceived loudness, said Jim Barry, director of bylaw for the city.
“This sets clear limits on noise,” he said.
“Our intent is to make the bylaw more clear and easier to follow.”
Barry presented the draft bylaw at Monday afternoon’s council meeting. It will now go out to the public for input before facing approval from council in the new year.
The purpose of the bylaw is to make violations more black and white — as Coun. Mark Whaley put it, essentially to “take the element of complaint out of it.”
The new bylaw will act as a fair barometer of noise, Barry said.
“Under the current bylaw, if someone has an exemption and we receive a complaint, we can still go and ask them to turn it down,” he said. “But now you’ll have the exemption as long as you don’t exceed the decibel levels.”
The bylaw sets the acceptable amount of noise in residential areas at 50 db during the day and between 45 db and 47 db overnight.
The proposed bylaw also includes a measure that would require any event with more than 60 people in attendance to hire a bylaw officer.
That sparked some concern, as the city reported last month that festivals are leaving Waterloo Park because of the costs associated with noise violations.
The requirement of a bylaw officer will be at the discretion of the city, Barry said.
“It won’t be a requirement on new festivals,” he said. “But if we’ve had complaints in the past, we can say that the festival merits this extra level of enforcement.”
In addition to clarifying violations, the new bylaw consolidates the two existing bylaws that govern noise in the city.
One decibel meter has already been purchased — a used unit which cost $2,000. Officers are now training and the city plans to purchase another.
“We’re on the road to be in good place in the new year to enforce the new bylaw to give an added level of protection in the city,” Barry said.
The bylaw will be open for comment on the city’s website at www.waterloo.ca .

Thursday November 26, 2009

6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
St. Michael Church
240 Hemlock Avenue, Waterloo
(at University Avenue)

Agenda

6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Meet You Councillor
7:00 to 7:30 p.m. Update on Ward and City Projects
7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Focus on Building a Community Vision in Northdale

For further information, contact:

Jan d'Ailly at 519-884-9170 (email: jan.dailly@waterloo.ca) or
Linda Vandenakker at 519-747-8788 (email: linda.vandenakker@waterloo.ca

From the Waterloo Chronicle November 4th 2009

The city has not done a ‘good job’ in Northdale

Letters
Nov 04, 2009

As a long suffering permanent resident of Northdale, I can tell you that Councilor d'Ailly is simply wrong when he says, “There are no more keg parties and street parties usually. We’ve done a good job but we have to keep going.”
Keg parties, Hot Shot parties are alive and well in Waterloo's student ghetto.

And St. Patrick's Day's festivities last March included another street party.

This year the partying has actually gotten significantly worse.

I invite Waterloo to drive around our neighbourhood and look at all of the keg party cups.

The garbage situation isn’t great either.

So no Jan, the city has not done a good job.

Coun. Diane Freeman is right— it is time to accept that families will never move back in here.

It is simply time to build something else here before we have a 400-500 person riot like London experienced this past weekend.

Christine Carmody Waterloo

The Core Question

The complexity of addressing student housing issues hitting home with council

By Greg MacDonald, Chronicle Staff

News
Oct 28, 2009

The city is set to re-examine its vision for Northdale and other core neighbourhoods after a workshop session Monday brought up serious concerns from several councillors.
The workshop began with staff listing off the successes and various policies the city uses to regulate the student-dominated neighbourhoods surrounding the city’s two universities.

Council’s official policy is to attract families back into the neighbourhoods — some of which have 95 per cent of homes being rented out.

But Coun. Diane Freeman sees a disconnect between the city’s plan and reality.

“If the idea is to reintegrate families into existing single family dwellings there is no support system for families, I don’t see how that can happen,” Freeman said.

With no elementary school in the vicinity of Northdale, which is bounded by University Avenue, Columbia Street, Albert Street and King Street, families have no incentives to move into the neighbourhood, she said.

“The only amenities available north of the university are for students,” Freeman said. “I don’t think what we have in place there is going to work because there is nothing for families.”

The afternoon workshop, held before Monday night’s council meeting, was an education session for councillors in response to a neighbourhood meeting held during the summer.

During that meeting, Coun. Jan d’Ailly and Mayor Brenda Halloran heard a multitude of concerns from the Northdale community association.

Those complaints included the usual — noisy parties, garbage-strewn properties and other behavioural issues.

But there were also calls for a special policy area to help the remaining permanent residents get the same price for their homes as licensed lodging houses demand.

The situation for seniors in the neighbourhood was especially disconcerting, Halloran said.

“What really struck me is what to do with seniors who feel stuck in these homes — they can’t sell them,” Halloran said. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to say it’s a zoning issue and that’s it.

“Our role as a council is to listen to the residents and find a strategy to help.”

It’s not just the seniors councillors should worry about, added Coun. Mark Whaley, who lived in one of the post-war homes that make up Northdale.

“Those houses were temporary and prefabricated,” Whaley said. “Sixty years later, they’re filled with students and sometimes unsafe.

“At the same time, developers who want to build something better in the neighbourhood have to go to the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board) to get anything done.”

He believes the city needs to rezone the area to make it more student friendly and forget attracting families to the traditional homes.

“We’ve seen all the tools and successes that we’ve had over the years, but I think that we have a little way to go,” Whaley said.

Council didn’t commit to any rezoning or change in philosophy, but Jan d’Ailly, the ward councillor for the area, will hold a town hall meeting on Nov. 26 to gain feedback on the community about what they want to see in the area.

Following that meeting, council will hold another session to discuss the area. D’Ailly wants that to include a review of council’s vision for the university neighbourhoods.

And while he wants a review, d’Ailly was quick to tout the successes the city has had.

“Four years ago, there was garbage on the streets and it was a lot worse,” he said. “There are no more keg parties and street parties usually. We’ve done a good job but we have to keep going.

“We should making this a model neighbourhood, where students and residents can walk down the street on garbage day and at 3 a. m. on Saturday night and say they’re proud to live there.”

Form the Record Friday October 16 2009

City to look at hiring extra police for student areas

By Liz Monteiro, Record staff

WATERLOO – Christine Carmody likes the idea of police officers
patrolling her neighbourhood. And the Waterloo woman has
no problem with the City of Waterloo paying the costs of hiring extra
police patrols in the Northdale neighbourhood adjacent to Wilfrid
Laurier University.

“Bylaw cannot control it. Police are the only ones who can stop it,’’
she said, referring to student rowdiness including late-night
parties, loud gatherings and public urination.

“It’s a stopgap measure but not a solution,’’ said Carmody, who
believes changing the zoning in the area to allow higher-density
apartments rather than singlehouse dwellings is the answer.

Coun. Ian McLean wants city staff to look at the potential costs
of hiring police officers to patrol streets near the two universities
during the months of September and October and March and April.

“Since I’ve been on council, student housing and behavioural
issues have been the No. 1issue on council,’’ he said. “I’ve finally got
to the point to say it’s time to say enough.’’

He wants to starts a pilot project in which the city hires paidduty
officers to walk the street near the universities.
“I’ve waited long enough,’’ he said.
McLean said city bylaw officers are not trained to deal with behavioural
issues and shouldn’t be expected to deal with unruly students.
He also says police have priority calls and public nuisance
calls won’t be responded to immediately if police are dealing with
domestic calls or car crashes.

Carmody said the city has created a “de facto student ghetto”
of her neighbourhood and they should pay the costs.
“Living here isn’t pleasant at all. I’d give anything to get out of
here,’’ she said. Carmody, has lived on Albert
Street for 12 years and has tried unsuccessfully to sell her house.

Police call special policing
a ‘dangerous concept’

“The City of Waterloo keeps downplaying the problem. They
keep saying it’s fine but it’s not fine,’’ said the mother of two
young children.

For homecoming weekend at Laurier earlier this month, Carmody
called Mayor Brenda Halloran and councillor, Jan d’Ailly
when a party next door to her house attracted nearly 400 people
on a Saturday morning.
She said that some students were smoking drugs and drinking
beer on her driveway.
Police responded, shut down the party and laid charges.

Coun. Mark Whaley said that asking citizens to pay extra for
more officers in a selected neighbourhood is a double-tax for
ratepayers.
Police say they, too, are also hesitant about a plan to pay for
extra officers.
“It’s a delicate issue,’’ said Staff Sgt. Mark Bullock.

He is the project co-ordinator for Project Safe Semester, an
enforcement strategy which has increased the police presence in
neighbourhoods surrounding the universities.
Bullock also said paying for extra officers is an “extra burden
on taxpayers.’’
He said if one area of the city gets paid officers, other neighbourhoods
who are experiencing drug activity or a rash of break
and enters will also want extra patrols.

“Other neighbourhoods have issues that are equally important
to them,’’ Bullock said. “Special policing is a dangerous concept.’’
He said that Project Safe Semester has been successful over
its three year lifespan. The fiveweek strategy, which ended after
Laurier’s homecoming weekend on Oct. 4, led to 650 charges this
year.

There were fewer large-scale house parties and this year’s
homecoming weekend was the quietest event in the last five
years, Bullock said.
He said that the Waterloo detachment dedicates one sergeant
and five officers to the neighbourhoods around the
universities year round.
Bullock said that he would like to see council support a police
staffing plan to meet the needs of the neighbourhoods.

Halloran said she’s willing to talk about hiring police officers,
but says that there will be a double cost to the taxpayer.
Halloran said Project Safe Semester had been successful in
enforcing rules and educating students on appropriate behaviour.
“There has been a strong concerted effort from our officers
and the police and there have been positive results,’’ she said.

Jim Barry, the city’s director of bylaw enforcement, said that a
report on the additional costs of hiring police for extra patrols
will come to council in December.
He said that the costs range from $50 to $80 an hour per officer.

David McMurray, dean of students at Laurier, said that the
university is hosting a meeting with councillors and the mayor to
talk about extra police patrols.
He said he wants to know more about how many officers would
patrol the neighbourhoods and when.

McMurray said the university is currently facing a budget crisis
and the institution needs to make cuts and is not looking at increasing
costs.

Beef up police patrols in student area, says McLean

By Greg MacDonald, Chronicle Staff
News
Oct 14, 2009

A Waterloo city councillor wants to hire part-time police officers to patrol the city’s core neighbourhoods.

Coun. Ian McLean believes it’s time for the city to deal with issues in neighbourhoods such as Northdale that pop every spring and autumn.

Residents in the core neighbourhoods often complain about issues related to noise and public intoxication when students return to university. McLean believes a beefed-up enforcement strategy anchored by off-duty officers funded by the city and other partners could help.
“I’m not saying it’s any certain type of people causing the problems,” McLean said. “People can come to their own conclusions on that”
“But I think that this is something we’ve been dealing with for a number of years and we need another tool in our toolbox.”

The UpTown Business Improvement Area currently uses this strategy in the city’s core.
McLean believes that there is a gap in the enforcement in the area because city bylaw officers don’t have the power to charge for many infractions. At the same time, noise and alcohol-related offences are a lower priority for police, he added.

“If someone calls in a noise complaint and (the police) are also getting calls for two accidents in New Hamburg and a break and enter in Kitchener, then it might be three hours before they respond to the noise call — as well it should be,” McLean said. “But that doesn’t change the fact that we need some presence in our neighbourhoods.”
McLean has asked city staff to review the plan in time for this year’s budget cycle. He’s not sure of what it would cost, but if it’s reasonable, McLean wants patrols Thursday to Saturday nights in April, May, September and October.

McLean also plans to ask the universities to kick in some funds to help cover the costs.
The extra patrols would be a welcome sight in Northdale, the neighbourhood between University and Columbia just north of WLU.
But it does not deal with some of the systemic issues plaguing the neighbourhood, said Deborah Easson, chair of the Northdale Residents Association.
Permanent residents and students will continue to butt heads, no matter how many police are around, she said.

“We have two groups of people with different beliefs and expectations,” she said. “The city should turn this into a student precinct.”
Additional officers would be a good stopgap measure to help quell some of the problems, she added.

From the Record
Saturday October 3rd 2009

Help Northdale

Re: Party’s cancellation fails to
deter Queen’s alumni — Sept. 24

Waterloo’s Northdale neighbourhood is already experiencing
the beginnings of the same rowdiness issues as the residential
areas of Queen’s University in Kingston. I am embarrassed by
our own “ghetto”-in-the-making that tarnishes our region’s reputation.
How did this occur? Our supposedly intelligent community
allowed licensing of lodging houses (rent-by-the-room) along University
and Columbia streets to support the universities’ student
accommodation studies. Permanent residents are now outnumbered
10 to one. What remains are neglected properties, garbage, and
noisy keg parties. Why should people in Waterloo
care? Their city and regional tax dollars are paying for periodic
daily garbage collection, police response and bylaw enforcement.
The universities aren’t footing the costs as universities are tax exempt.
Now imagine Northdale Village with a vibrant streetscape
including attractive townhouses and low rise condos plus a bustling
shopping mews. Northdale Village could be a world class town
centre for those who work, study and live in the area — a diverse,
urban village that the Region of Waterloo could be proud of.

Karen Earle
Waterloo

Watch Province Wide this Sunday Sept.20/09

On Province Wide this Sunday on CKCO TV at 6:30 pm

Many businesses are happy to see university students return in the fall. Tens of thousands of young people bring a great deal of money. But, in some neighbourhoods, they also bring problems. Windsor, London, Hamilton, Kingston, and Waterloo know all about this. But, the rowdiness and vandalism aren't the only problems, say some permanent residents. Hear their complaints, and community responses.

Welcome Back Students??

The students are back in town. How do we know? Just go out late at night and early morning and you can hear the hooting and hollering as they return from the bars or parties. No consideration of anyone that may be sleeping. Why is it when they are fuelled with alcohol they have no consideration for anyone else. Have read in the newspaper that a number of students have to rely on the food bank at the Universities. There certainly does not seem to be a shortage of money for alcohol.

Lester St. Living

Come on landlords do a better job of keeping your properties clean. Tell your tenants what is expected of them. It's more than just collecting the rent money

New ideas needed for Northdale

By HILDA MASON, GUEST COLUMN
Aug 26, 2009


Of the 20 original homes on Batavia Place, only six remain in their original state. The other 14 are either student occupied with absentee landlords, or converted student homes with owner occupancy. This has forever changed the dynamics of the entire street. The same is true for all the streets in the Northdale neighbourhood.
Batavia Place, developed in the 1960s, was once a vibrant neighbourhood of large, well-kept homes, built on large lots. The residents would walk to work at the University of Waterloo or Wilfrid Laurier University.
Try if you can to comprehend that within a few short years this once prestigious community has been carved up and exploited solely for monetary gain as student rental accommodation and/or lodging houses.
To even consider that a young couple raising a small family would be interested, or feel safe, moving into a neighbourhood of partying, noisy, beer-sodden university students, is incomprehensible.
City staff is preparing a new rental licencing bylaw, or standardized citywide compliance bylaw, for presentation to council in the fall.
Council must realize that any bylaw applicable in other parts of the city will be impossible to implement in the Northdale neighbourhood.
The need here is a totally different one. A completely different approach is required!
Council must demand that planning staff do “due diligence” in analyzing the specific needs and potential of this particular neighbourhood and what future developments are pending.
Putting restrictions on remaining properties now, at this late date, will negatively impact our longtime residents still living in their homes.
Scott Nevin’s callous and cavalier attitude towards reducing the value of those homes is extremely worrisome.
How could he say publicly if a new city bylaw comes (in) at the cost of current residents’ property, so be it.
Such an attitude toward the remaining residents in the Northdale neighbourhood is unjustifiable and an insult!
Council needs to be informed, to search its conscience, and to do the right and honourable thing. Current residents must have the same rights and privileges as landlords who, in the last few years, have bought up all the properties as quickly as they become available and turned them into student housing.
They deserve the same rights as Laurier University had when it converted a home into a 10-student Hope House.
For council to ignore the remaining residents is blatant discrimination against the most vulnerable.
Unlike any other neighbourhood in Waterloo, the Northdale neighbourhood has an entirely unique problem. It has become a student precinct!
When considering a new bylaw this fall, every longtime Northdale resident whose future livelihood is invested in his or her home, expects that council will demand fairness and equality Northdale.
“There are none so blind as those who will not see.”
...
Hilda Mason is a longtime resident of Batavia Place in Northdale

Read the article below

Read the article below that was published In October 2004. What recommendations do you see that were implemented? Has the MDS worked? Dedicated bylaw officers? Previous licensing rules did not work so the city just grandfathered in those already licensed. Now some five years later those licensing rules did not work and so a new set of licensing rules are to be brought in. Once again they are talking about grandfathering in those new licenses. The only ones that are not being grandfathered are the residents that have been here 20, 30, 40 years. They are the ones that cannot sell now because of no license while every other house that has sold is going for student rental leagally or illegaly. All we ask is that we be given a level playing field and designate this as a special policy area where any house can be a rental.

Published Oct. 4 2004

 

Bylaw on top of things - proactive, proactive, proactive

How long will these sofas sit out at the very public corner of Columbia and Albert - what happened to the promises of the council meeting a year ago to turn this area around?

To attract tech workers to buy houses here and stop the area from looking like a student slum?

What happened to the proactive bylaw enforcement?

Who is kidding whom?

The residents are not fooled.

The discussions are endless with nothing changing.

What is going on? Why are we not being supported?

More lawn parking on busy Albert Street.

Proactive bylaw enforcment - NOT

Where are the bylaw officers?
Out getting new glasses?
Post-party lawn parking at its finest - bylaw flat on their face!
Parking for how many?????
Only seen by hundreds on their way to church.
Looks like a fine upscale neighbourhood, right?
This doesn't look like a student housing area.
Much!

Play fair

Northdale residents cry foul over city’s proposed rental licensing policy

By Greg MacDonald, Chronicle Staff
News
Aug 12, 2009


The city needs to reconsider a proposed rental housing bylaw to give fair value to all properties in Northdale, according to residents of the neighbourhood.
At a special meeting last Thursday, residents of the student-dominated community tore into city staff, the mayor and ward Coun. Jan d’Ailly about a plan that could require the owners of any rental units in the city to have a licence.
Staff is considering licensing landlords or properties, either in one section of Waterloo or the city as a whole.
One of the bylaw options the city is exploring is minimum separation — essentially limiting the number of rental units allowed on a block by requiring a certain distance between rentals.
But permanent residents in the neighbourhood fear that will mean that the houses that are already rentals will be given preference for licensing.
The city currently issues lodging house licences, which restrict the number of rental bedrooms allowed in a home.
That licence, however, does not prevent unlicensed homeowners from renting out their homes.
Ken Munson, who lives on Albert Street, said his house doesn’t have the same value as one that has a lodging house licence.
He feels that extending a new licensing program could only widen the gap in home values in Northdale.
“We need to create a level playing field for the small number of us who are still remaining,” Munson said, motioning to the 25 residents gathered in council chambers.
A better solution might be to upzone the neighbourhood, which would level property values since high-density developments could be built on any site, he said.
“I don’t know of any other neighbourhood in this situation that hasn’t been rezoned,” Munson said.
Residents have been calling for rezoning for upwards of two years and have been blocked out, said Paul Ellingham, who lives on Hemlock Street.
“These houses are about 1,000 square feet. They don’t work for families and they don’t work for students. Who are they for?” said Ellingham, who is a chaplain at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo.
“Why does the city not want to rezone this area? There seems to be a wall.”
The city has different plans for the neighbourhood. Council has a vision for a diverse and low-density community in Northdale, said Scott Nevin, director of policy planning.
If it comes at the cost of current residents’ property values, so be it.
“The city is not in the business of providing someone value for their property,” Nevin said.
He cited the city’s height and density and nodes and corridors policies as pieces that would help solve the problem in Northdale.
The plan is to draw renters out of the neighbourhoods and into higher-density forms of housing, opening the neighbourhood back up for families, young professionals and seniors.
“We have a plan. We’re only four years in, so it’s hard to judge the progress,” he said.
That might be hard to do given the concentration of rental housing in the neighbourhood, said Dave Novis, a landlord who owns 14 properties in the neighbourhood.
He sees the licensing program as a cash grab and thinks the city should can the proposal.
Novis called the licence a tax that would only make renting less affordable.
“It’s kind of funny that the residents and landlords agree on something. Usually it’s landlords versus residents or vice versa,” Novis said.
D’Ailly said the concerns were heard loud and clear and stressed no decisions had been made yet.
“It’s a tough one, it really is tough. We need a solution,” he said. “We’re all frustrated but it’s time to move forward.”
Council will deliberate on implementing a bylaw in the fall. D’Ailly will host another meeting for Northdale residents in early October.

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From The Record

Poor urban planning

May 12, 2009 Hilda Mason

If she were alive today Jane Jacobs, the celebrated urban planner, would have a lot to say about Waterloo's current crop of "city fathers" and how they have betrayed the very citizens who elected them to serve.

For starters, she would suggest that they give their heads a shake. How could a city blessed with two universities provide through their bylaws the systematic ruin of streets formerly lined with beautiful, well-kept homes within walking distance of uptown, the Waterloo technologypark, and those same universities.

These were once proud, well-established neighbourhoods where professors, scholars, and other professionals once lived.

What they have allowed to happen under their watch is a Waterloo disgrace that defies all reason or logic.

Jane Jacobs where are you?

Hilda Mason
Waterloo

Welcome to Waterloo - too bad he ran out of paint...

I wonder what he was going to write? Pullets - maybe this is about backyard chickens - I wish!

The charming outcome of the Neighbourhood Preservation Model.

And, of course, it's moving in day - all those out-of-town parents in the area too. Nice impression Waterloo leaves.

Just exactly who does anyone think houses in this area might sell to?

Another well-managed licenced property.

Tenant - occupied house.

Garbage right up against the neighbour's fence.

Peeeee -ewwwww.

And it's what - 27 degrees or so?

Welcome to Waterloo's vibrant neighbourhood, filled with hope and vitality.

Hope for the maggots and raccooons, one supposes.

Ahhh, improved enforcement at work!!!

Cleared up in short order by Waterloo's bylaw officers once a complaint was made. Congratulations for the efficient response. Kudos.

Saturday at noon: garbage day is Tuesday. Is this any way to encourage pedestrians?

Owner-occupants to buy the houses for sale on Albert?

What does the public think when they drive by this today???

Neighbourhood renters don't enjoy this anymore than the home-owners who live nearby.

Now that the warmer weather is here

it brings out the best in this area.

How does this neighbourhood compare

to your neighbourhood ??

Strategic Planning Public Input Session

Saturday April 18/09 1 to 4pm

St. Michael Church

University Ave.

Battered Cable boxes

Thanks to whoever had these people come along

and clean up the boulevards. It was a slow process

as there was lots of litter.

So we have about six police vehicles dispatched to

Lester St. A few girls climbing onto the police vehicles.

Hooting and hollering for most of the day.

Isn't this a wonderful way to celebrate.

No regard for any neighbours whether students

or permanent residents.

Any thing to add from your neighbourhood??

Does anyone really think this neighbourhood

is going to attract families back ??

The parties have begun as of 10am this morning.

Police and bylaw have been around to keep a lid on things so far.

See what this afternoon / evening brings.

*Image by: Matt English

A well written article from the Cord Weekly

Opinion

Students and city need co-operation

Editorial Board 2008-09 Mar 11, 2009

Ongoing debate between permanent residents of Waterloo and the student population is re-opened.

Last night’s town hall meeting at St. Michael’s Church re-opened an ongoing debate between permanent residents of the City of Waterloo and its student population.

If one thing is clear from this long-time argument between residents and students, it is that something needs to be done.

Residents are right to feel upset. Their property values are suffering and they are living in a neighbourhood filled with excess noise and litter.

Yet residents must remember that the student population allows the local economy to thrive.

Students are also often unhappy with living conditions. We pay high rent payments to landlords that are often negligent of their duties, many of them living outside the city. Off-campus student housing is often in poor repair and unappealing to live in. It is understandable that we don’t treat our neighbourhood with care.

If the city expects students to respect the community, it certainly does very little to earn it. Sidewalk regulations are rarely enforced in winter, making sidewalks in student areas icy and dangerous. And when regulations are enforced, by-law officers usually target students themselves.

Rather than threatening us with fines and by-laws, the city should create a respectful partnership with students. If Waterloo wants to create a cleaner neighbourhood and retain more students after graduation, it must make the student population feel like a welcome part of the community.

The most important course of action for the city, however, is to work with developers and landlords. (and permanent residents)

Developers must be held accountable to ensure that new student housing units are built soundly and are within a reasonable price range for students.

The city must ensure that landlords maintain their properties instead of passing these duties on to students.

Of course, students must be held accountable for their actions. But for the most part, improving the quality of living for students in the community would mean improving the quality of living for everyone else, too.

Today when I was out walking around the neighbourhood

I had an opportunity to talk to someone from city / region

that was around looking at how the garbage was picked up.

 After complaints about garbage laying around and not being put 

out properly it is to their credit that they are going around and 

responding to our complaints.

There still is this grey area of who should pick up the recyclables

that are not put into the proper containers.

It is a never ending job on educating people on the proper

way to recycle. 

Ward 6 Town Hall Meeting Tuesday March 10th 2009 6:30 to 9 pm

THE CITY OF

Waterloo

Jan d’Ailly



WARD 6 COUNCILLOR

your voice on Waterloo Council

Ward 6 Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, March 10, 2009

6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

St. Michael's Church

240 Hemlock Avenue

(at University Avenue)

Dear Ward 6 Resident,

As your Ward Councillor, I have spoken with many of you and hope you will join me at my Town Hall meeting coming up on March 10th. With about 25% of our population being university students, Waterloo is a university town. One of the key issues facing the Ward is how permanent residents and students live together in our city and in our neighbourhoods, especially where students significantly outnumber the residents. The focus of this Town Hall meeting will be community building. I will be hosting a roundtable discussion with participants, including the various community members such as the universities, neighbourhood representatives, church groups, students, police, Bylaw and City planning staff. I look forward to seeing you thereon the 10th.

Sincerely,

Jan d'Ailly

Councillor- Ward 6


TOWN HALL AGENDA


Tuesday. March 10. 2009, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

St. Michael's Church - 240 Hemlock Avenue, Waterloo

6:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Reception and Meet Your Councillor

7:00 to 7:20 p.m.
Update on Ward 6 Projects including Clair Lake, Churchill Park, Erb Street Reconstruction

7:20 to 7:40 p.m.
Update on Major Projects City Wide

7:40 to 9:00 p.m.
Round Table Discussion on Community Building in Areas with Significant Student Population



UPCOMING EVENTS:

Uptown Country - Saturday. June 20.2009 - 2:00 to 10:30 p.m. Regina Street
Parking Lot

Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival-July I7to l9, 2009.Waterloo City Centre
Parking Lot

Waterloo Buskers Carnival -August 27 to 30, 2009, Uptown Waterloo

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

Each Waterloo residence has 18 overnight street parking exemptions per year. You must register your vehicle by 1:30 a.m. by calling 519-747-8559 or going on the City's website (www.waterloo.ca/online) and clicking on "overnight parking"

For questions on property standards or other bylaw infractions, please contact 519-747-8714

HOWTO CONTACT ME:

Please contact me if you have any questions, concerns,
Comments or ideas.

By Mail
: City Hall, 100 Regina Street South

Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4A8

By Telephone: Office: 519-747-8784

Home: 519-884-9170

Cell: 519-569-9950

By Email: jdailly@city.waterloo.on.ca

website: www.waterloo.ca

All the garbage that was put out properly

was picked up. Most of the garbage that was

left out was bagged up.

A big improvement over the previous week.

Now it is the responsibility

of the residents to clean up what is left now that

most of the snow has melted.

How about the landlords coming around and

cleaning up once in awhile. There is more to

lot maintaince than showing up once or twice a year

when it comes time to rent out for the next semester.

cart is still available

Week after week this is what it looks like on

Lester St. after garbage pickup in a  

 student neighbourhood.

Any groups from the universities looking to do

some community work?

Come and clean up the street.

How does this compare with your neighbourhood??

anyone need a grocery cart?

can be picked up near the corner of Lester & Columbia

Nothing like having a chair and a sofa on the roof

when the warm weather comes

How are the sidewalks in your area?

Garbage collection on Tuesday Jan . 3 2009

Now it is Thursday

and this will stay out till who knows.

How does your neighbourhood look

after garbage collection??

Where would this fit in?

News Articles

Cord Weekly
New residences explored

Jeremy Tremblay Jan 21, 2009

Undergraduate enrollment is expected to increase by about 10 percent over the next three years

The university is currently looking at expressions of interest from seven private-sector companies, hoping to find a developer to build two new residences. After screening expressions of interest, the university will issue a Request for Proposal to select developers.

The idea of building residences as a public-private partnership between the university and private sector was mentioned at the university Senate meeting yesterday during Laurier President Max Blouw’s presentation on the fiscal state of the university.

Blouw explained that undergraduate enrollment is expected to increase by about 10 percent over the next three years and some capital projects will be required with increased enrollment.

The public-private partnership model, which Blouw explained would have a company build and maintain two 1000-bed residences – one in Waterloo and one in Brantford – would receive the profit from them for a set period of time. He indicated that a period of 25 to 30 years is being considered, after which the university would then take over the buildings.

He explained that all residence programming would be run by the university with the goal of ensuring the living experience was the same as that received by students in pre-existing residences.

Homeowner's fun in the student "slum"

This is the private property of a homeowner whose family owned the home since it was built in 1958.

This is what this neighbourhood has come down to.

Well done, Waterloo.