August 31, 2013

Tomorrow, we will begin welcoming the tens of thousands of students who will be arriving in Waterloo – many of them arriving for the first time. I look forward to welcoming as many of my new and returning constituents as I can.

In order to prepare for that influx, we have created a comprehensive plan in partnership with Waterloo Regional Police, Region of Waterloo Waste Management, and students and staff at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.

Our traffic plan will see temporary turning and travel restrictions on Lester Street and Spruce Street, the Region will provide extra curb side waste collection in the core and in Northdale, our street sweepers will be out on key evenings, and our fire prevention division will be at numerous events on and off-campuses.

Our successful door knocker program is returning, where students, university staff, first responders, and others will be knocking on doors in our near campus neighbourhoods. Residents will receive  welcome packages that contain handy information about rental living and community standards. We will also have additional enforcement staff on evenings and weekends in September to both proactively and reactively respond to noise, nuisance, rental housing, lot maintenance, and parking issues. All of these initiatives contribute to a safe semester and a welcoming community for our student neighbours.

If you have any questions to pose or challenges to report, please call our By-law office at 519-747-8714 or the direct Rental Housing inquiries line at 519-747-8785.