Latest news with #WilmotTownship
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Wilmot Township approves 20-year tax exemption for new affordable housing
Wilmot Township Council has approved a new policy that will exempt property taxes on newly built affordable housing units, in what officials are calling a significant step toward addressing housing affordability in the community. The policy offers a 20-year property tax exemption for affordable housing developments led by non-profit and cooperative housing providers. Mayor Natasha Salonen said the initiative is about enabling local solutions to a growing crisis. 'We know that real solutions require collaboration,' she said in a statement. 'This exemption creates the conditions for our non-profit partners—and potentially for-profit builders—to deliver housing that meets the needs of some residents, right here in New Hamburg, Baden, New Dundee, and beyond.' The new exemption policy is part of Wilmot's 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. It also builds on previous council actions, including the 2024 decision to waive regional development charges for Nith View Homes' new 160-bed long-term care facility. 'This is about taking meaningful, concrete steps to tackle the housing crisis in our community,' Salonen said. 'This policy is one way we can say: we see the need, and we're acting on it.' Council says it will continue exploring additional tools to address the housing crisis.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
'Absolutely astounding': Wilmot group pushes on against newly secured land
Social Sharing Critics of the Region of Waterloo's plans to purchase farmland in Wilmot Township for a future industrial site say it's "absolutely astounding" the region continues on with the project. On Wednesday, the Region of Waterloo announced it has secured 70 per cent of the land it wants for the site. The region noted it hasn't necessarily purchased the land — instead the region has entered into an agreement to purchase the land. Wilmot Civic Action Network, or WilmotCAN is a community organization of Wilmot Township residents who advocate for the community. They've long been active, along with Fight for Farmland, in the push for greater transparency and accountability from the region about the assembly. According to spokesperson Kevin Thomason, that transparency has yet to be seen. "It is just absolutely astounding the bullying tactics that they've used right from the onset," he said. The bullying Thomason is referring to is the initial threat of expropriation that many of the landowners said they faced if they were unwilling to sell their land. He said he's not aware that any of the affected parties have heard from the region in months. "Those farmers wake up every single day wondering, 'Is today the day they expropriate and I lose my farm?'" Land needed to prepare for future, region says In March 2024, 12 landowners of six farmland properties and six residential properties were told the region wanted to purchase their land. Affected landowners received compensation offers from the region and were told that if they refused to sell, their land could potentially be expropriated. In the release Wednesday, the region said it is "committed to ensuring fair and equitable agreements for landowners." On Wednesday, the region held a media briefing and sent a release detailing their success in acquiring 550 of the 770 acres of land near Nafziger Road and Bleams Road that they would turn into a shovel-ready mega-site for future development. Chair Karen Redman told CBC News K-W that there is not currently an identified end user, meaning there is not yet any plan for development of the land. Instead, she said it was a commitment to "preparing for the future." Now, the region wants the public to be aware that there will be on-site testing along the land they've acquired. "It's important for them to know that there will be trucks out on the land. There will be boreholes being dug. There's probably about 35 categories of due diligence that we're doing," said Redman. 70% of Wilmot lands secured by Region of Waterloo 5 hours ago Duration 2:26 Regional Chair Karen Redman says the region has secured 70 per cent of the 312 hectares of land it needs to create an industrial site in Wilmot Township. The region has been working since March 2024 to buy the land, which includes residential and farm properties. Redman explains why the region needs the site. "And we promised the community that we would be transparent with them." Wilmot councillors in the past have expressed concern for the lack of transparency on the land assembly proceedings of the region. They have said before that Wilmot residents seem angry about the grab for its lack of certainty and its potential environmental effect. CBC News reached out to Wilmot councillors for comment but has not yet heard back. Other groups have supported the project. A group called BestWR — comprised of the presidents of local chambers of commerce, economic development, Communitech and Explore Waterloo Region — penned an open letter in April 2024 supporting the region's plans. They said business opportunities were actively being lost by the region's lack of co-ordination and available space. 'What's this going to cost?' On Thursday, WilmotCAN put out two media releases. The first was an initial reaction to the region's news. The second was a detailed rebuttal of the details of the land grab and they raised a few points they said they've desperately been trying to gain clarity on. "What's this going to cost? Where is sewage going from and where is water coming from?" said Thomason. He said the region has yet to answer any of the questions, reports or Freedom of Information Acts (FOIs) they've filed in the past. Redman ssaid Wednesday that the region has lost out on other developments in the past. She said those developments were worth $10 billion and would have meant 5,000 jobs. "We didn't have a mega-site that was shovel-ready, so they went somewhere else," she said. Thomason said he doesn't believe there is a shortage of land to develop in the region.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
70% of Wilmot lands purchased by Region of Waterloo
Regional Chair Karen Redman says the region has purchased 70 per cent of the 312 hectares of land it needs to create an industrial site in Wilmot Township. The region has been working since March 2024 to buy the land, which includes residential and farm properties. Redman explains why the region needs the site.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Region of Waterloo says 550 acres have been secured for Wilmot land assembly project
The Region of Waterloo says it has secured more than 70 per cent of the farmland needed for potential large-scale development projects in Wilmot Township. The plan involved 770 acres, or six separate properties, between Nafziger Road, Bleams Road and Wilmot Centre Road. As of May 14, the region had already acquired 550 acres of the land which, under provincial guidelines, meant it qualified as a mega-site. That classification would make it a much more attractive location for future employers. Other factors in its favour were the property's proximity to Highway 7/8, existing hydro, water and wastewater infrastructure and its exclusion as a water protection area. Karen Redman, chair for the Region of Waterloo, said it is 'imperative' to support local and well-paying manufacturing jobs. Wilmot land grab A map shows the land the Region of Waterloo wants to buy. (Graphic by Hayden Phillips/CTV Kitchener) Community concerns The land assembly process has stirred up controversy in Wilmot Township. Tractor protest parade Wilmot A line of tractors prepares to leave for Region of Waterloo headquarters as part of a protest on August 28, 2024. (Dave Pettitt/CTV News) Some of the affected landowners felt blindsided by the region's plan and argued the property wasn't right for future large-scale development. They organized town hall meetings, filed freedom of information requests and took their protests directly to regional council. protest wilmot land deal Protestors gathered outside of Region of Waterloo headquarters on June 19, 2024. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV News) Even Premier Doug Ford got caught up in the debate after he was overheard saying that he did not understand the secrecy around the project and claimed the process had been mishandled. The region has always maintained that they are 'committed to ensuring fair and equitable agreements for landowners.' farmer wilmot tractor convoy protest farmland Tractors make their way down the road on Aug. 28, 2024 as part of a rolling protest against the sale of Wilmot farmland. Due diligence by the region Starting this week, technical and environmental work will begin at the property as part of the region's due diligence. They said crops will be planted 'where appropriate' and harvested as per usual, but no existing crops will be removed. Corn crop destruction Wilmot 2024 Remnants of destroyed corn crop are held in this photo. This became a big issue in 2024 when residents questioned the destruction of corn crops on land purchased by the region. Council later learned the crops had been removed for an archeological assessment that could not be delayed.
CBC
14-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
70% of Wilmot farmland purchased for future industrial site, region says
The Region of Waterloo says it has purchased 70 per cent of the land it wants in Wilmot Township as part of its plans to create an industrial site for future use. In a media release Wednesday, regional Chair Karen Redman said this is a "major milestone" that gets the region "significantly closer to securing long-term investment and economic prosperity locally." "It is imperative, now more than ever, that Waterloo region be ready to support Canadian manufacturing and well-paying, local jobs," Redman said. This announcement follows a contentious land battle in Wilmot Township that started last year. In March 2024, 12 landowners of six farmland properties and six residential properties were told the region wanted to purchase their land. Affected landowners received compensation offers from the region and were told that if they refused to sell, their land could potentially be expropriated. In the release Wednesday, the region said it is "committed to ensuring fair and equitable agreements for landowners." The region has been working to acquire 770 acres of land (312 hectares) near the intersection of Nafziger Road and Bleams Road for future industrial use. The region maintains it has lost out on potential investment opportunities from major players in the past because of their lack of shovel-ready land. According to the region, the area was chosen for several reasons, including: A large, contiguous development footprint. Immediate access to Highway 7/8 and arterial transportation routes. Existing hydro, water, and wastewater infrastructure. Location outside water protection areas. The region initially planned to have all land purchased by August 2024. In July 2024, the region had announced on-site technical analysis was set to take place after it had purchased nearly one-third of the 770 acres it said it needed. Around 40 tractors drive into downtown Kitchener to protest Wilmot land deal 9 months ago Duration 0:25 Hundreds of protestors cheered on around 40 tractors driving along Frederick Street in downtown Kitchener Wednesday evening. The rally was to protest a deal by the region to buy up or expropriate 770 acres of land in Wilmot Township for an undisclosed industrial project. The situation so far A complicated road followed the region's initial announcement that they would acquire the land needed for development. Some groups, like farmers as well as provincial and federal elected politicians, opposed the project and said it would negatively impact farmland, food growth and water access. This was bolstered in July 2024 when the region faced criticism for plowing over a corn crop after it purchased a farm. On Wednesday, the region responded to that criticism by saying "planting will continue on lands where appropriate. No existing crop will be removed and any existing crop will be harvested when ready." Some, however, saw the land acquisition effort as necessary progress for the region in the wake of a population boom. A group called Best WR —comprised of the presidents of local chambers of commerce, economic development, Communitech and Explore Waterloo Region — penned an open letter in April 2024 supporting the region's plans. They said business opportunities were actively being lost by the region's lack of co-ordination and available space. The region had said their selection of land was thorough and based on a number of qualifications. They also noted that new industrial projects would create more jobs and help support the growing population of residents. The region has not disclosed any other specifics about how the land would be used and has said there is no company wanting to use the land. Fight for Farmland, a group advocating against expropriation of Wilmot lands, believed that negotiations wouldn't pick back up until after the Ontario provincial election. Although the region is in charge of the land purchase process, it was confirmed that the province was providing the funding. As Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives clinched another mandate in February, a new consideration loomed overhead: Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, would give cabinet power to exempt itself from laws on certain projects by designating them "special economic zones." Until now, many Region of Waterloo councillors found themselves unsure of what they were able to say in public about the plans to purchase farmland. They said in September 2024 that they were restricted by a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
