Jeff Henry

Urban Planner. Consultant. Recovering Politician.
Travelling Waterloo Region by 🚶‍♂️, 🚲 , 🚌. (he/him)

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

Thanks for the conversation @robdeutschmann. I think we managed to pack an hour and a half of content into that hour. Looking back, it's hard for me not to be energized about the work we did around the @citywaterloo Council table.

[Old Grey Mayors - All Politics is Local @OldGreyMayors]

Rob is joined by former City of Waterloo Councillor @jeffhenrykw to talk about his time on council, changes to rental housing regulations and licensing, and how suburbs can be revitalized through great urban planning.

https://t.co/17sVUO4cfJ

[Sean Fraser @SeanFraserMP]

We want cities to increase their ambition on housing, and through federal funding we are incentivizing that change.

We’re looking for the best of the best. We’ve shared our list of top 10 practices cities can use to strengthen their applications.

Info: https://t.co/yLp5zQBiyS

[Royce Bodaly @RoyceBodaly]

Yesterday I tabled a motion for our Oct 30 meeting.

It permits as-of-right zoning up to 4 units & reaffirms our commitment to #MissingMiddle & #Intensification.

Alongside our Housing Accelerator Fund proposal we can tackle #AffordableHousing in #Waterloo.

@SeanFraserMP

[Berry Vrbanovic @berryonline]

Housing affordability & supply is a priority for @CityKitchener Council. Simultaneously as @CMHC_ca & @SeanFraserMP reviews our #HAF application, I'm bringing a motion to @CityKitchener Council on Monday for a bylaw to permit 4 units, as-of-right on all residential lots. Read ⏬

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

This is a solid report with good visuals of progress. Every time I've biked downtown this year, I've used part of the new grid as it closes the cycling gap from the Spurline.

[Matt Rodrigues @mattjrodrigues]

Kitchener has put out a report on Active Transportation stats from 2017 to 2022! Some highlights below.
"The Downtown Cycling Grid has seen a 164% increase in ridership as people of all ages and abilities [use] fully protected bike lanes."
https://t.co/UGddIKyrwy

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

This is such sad news. Donna was a tireless advocate for women and for leaving nobody behind. She was one of my favorite people to see, learn, and laugh with on the event circuit across Waterloo Region.

My condolences to her family and friends.

[City of Waterloo @citywaterloo]

Waterloo is looking for feedback to improve the current model of shared sidewalk snow clearing.

➡️ Share your thoughts by taking the survey: https://t.co/cQt3JvMV6m (closes May 3). You can also subscribe to this page for project updates.

➡️ Learn more: https://t.co/8SGiN0Czhk

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

@m2bowman If there was one thing missing from the reports, engagement, and probably discussion it was what can be done with the provincial land under the (soon to be former) northbound ramp.

Lots of housing at the other three corners of Lancaster/85 today.

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

@KarenCoviello @mattjrodrigues @morricemike @ElmiraSapfest @citywaterloo As I recall, we beat our Kitchener colleagues. Really the only goal. That, and not falling down. Double gold!

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

@CamGuthrie @EricONCA Indeed, especially if the incentive discounts are provincially funded. The 20%/15%/10%/5% across the board discounts in new DC bylaws are completely untargeted - could have been targeted if they were just for these next DC bylaws to accelerate building permits of approved units.

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

@CamGuthrie @EricONCA Regulations need to be introduced under the Development Charges Act (per 4.1(4)5. referenced earlier) prior to the section being proclaimed or else virtually everything is deemed 'attainable'. No proposals posted on the ERO yet. Huge asterisk on Bill 23 municipal budget impacts.

[Kevin Thomason @kthomason]

Save Waterloo Region's Countryside Line! We can build new housing while protecting renters and the environment. Tell the province to approve our Regional Official Plan: #watreg #kwawesome #wrawesome #onpoli https://t.co/NlB98AC9zS via @holdthelinewr

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

@m2bowman The decision on whether to enact a Demolition Control bylaw over a particular area(s) is municipal decision. The $20k fee is too low to be a deterrent where a few units are demolished in favor of dozens/hundreds if the cause is lack of construction financing, etc.

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

@m2bowman Section 33(7)-(9) lays out the process to be carried out by the Municipal Clerk and is a lien against the property, collected as if it were property taxes, similar to any fees levied for bylaw non compliance (eg lot maintenance order not followed and work carried out by the city)

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

My former colleagues @citywaterloo are now in budget season, so a quick info🧵 from @jenvasic:

[Jen Vasic (she/her) @jenvasic]

The 2023 City of Waterloo Budget will be released on Mon Dec 12. More info here: https://t.co/veehjrUo2K. Key dates follow:

January 10 2023 - In-person/Virtual Public Engagement Session with Staff
January 16 2023 - Business Plan Presentations (Community Services) 1/3

[Waterloo Region YIMBY @WRYIMBY]

Study participants needed re: high-rise living kids’ use of greenspace in the Region. They’re interested in chatting with families (parent and child) living in high-rises (anything 5 storeys and above) about how their child (age 5-15) accesses and uses green space.

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

The province is now seeking comment on the @RegionWaterloo Official Plan amendment.

Policies that protect the countryside line, create 15 minute neighbourhoods, and protect and expand affordable rental housing need public support.

Comments close Jan 4: https://t.co/OU7qUautMd

[Jeff Henry @jeffhenrykw]

@DesmondRecord As a former budget chair, I'd call that an "unfun" fact. And Bill 23 included, essentially, billions of $ worth of mandatory unfun facts across the province.