Waterloo zoning bylaw under review

The city of Waterloo's zoning bylaws are getting a comprehensive review for the first time, to help shape how the city is developed in the future and to get rid of bylaws that are no longer necessary, like rules about video cassette rental stores.

The second draft of the review is available for public input until July 4.

So far the city has received comments regarding specific properties, as well as broader topics such as people asking for lower parking standards.

"We should be moving towardsmaybe lower parking standards in the city as we move towards light rapid transit and other alternative modes of transportation," said Joel Cotter, director of planning approvals at the city of Waterloo.

He said this is the first time the city is doing a review of zoning bylaws since they werefirst adopted in the 50s. The current bylaws have been amended through the years, but the review is intendedto modernize them and reflect current priorities enshrined in the city's official plan.

"For example, the official plan put in policies around transportation, demand management, in the context of better bus services and the LRT coming forward," he told CBC News.

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Some sections in the bylaw also no longer reflect city life today, such as land-use sections referring to video cassette outlets.

"The intention is to refresh the bylaw, reflect uses that exist in today's world, or at least provide a framework that allow some of these advanced technology companies to continue to grow and foster, without a barrier of a specific definition or use that might get in their way," Cotter said.

First and second drafts of the review are available for the public to view on the city's web site.