Two Waterloo churches do not plan to take part in city’s housing zoning program

Two churches in Waterloo have asked to not be part of a city program.

Two churches in Waterloo have asked to not be part of a city program. The city is considering a zoning change that would make it easier for places of worship to build on or sell unused land for low-rise housing projects. It would clear the way for apartment buildings and stacked townhouses up to six storeys tall.

However, Church of God in the city’s Westvale neighbourhood and First Baptist of Waterloo on Erb Street have asked to be removed from a list of 14 potential faith-based locations that could be part of the program. First Baptist already added affordable housing to their property decades ago. “In 1982 was when the church was built,” Jeff Oakes, the chair of the Deacons board at First Baptist, said.

“The pastor at the time saw a need for housing in the area, low-income housing, so we have built beside us a building that we call Woodland Terrace.” Woodland Terrace has 60 units designed for low and middle income families and seniors. Oakes say they are supportive of the City’s idea but say some of their members were unsure about what the program would mean for their church.

“I think it was more people in the church that just we were caught off guard. So, we assured them was the city’s not trying to do anything behind our back. It’s just we just need a conversation, and we did and it was fine,” Oakes said.

The Church of God is other church that was taken off the list. They faced an organized campaign from neighbours who were worried about the loss of green space and adding greater density to the low-density neighbourhood. “[My husband] and I want to protect that and support sustainable housing in the region, where the infrastructure is designed to support that,” Mary Ehnis, a neighbour who delegated at a meeting about the proposal, said.

“These neighbourhoods were not designed for that by the developers.” The city said the bylaw amendment is not about forcing development, but creating an easier process for those who are interested. “The zoning bylaw amendment is seeking to provide flexibility as to how the properties can be used and there is no requirement that property owners undertake any development as a result,” the city of Waterloo said in a statement.

They said any place of worship can submit their own development application in the future. In the meantime, staff are proceeding with the project with the other properties.