Rose Simone, Record staff

WATERLOO REGION — It has been a year of doom and gloom, with Europe in a recession, the United States facing a “fiscal cliff” and tighter mortgage rules putting a damper on housing market in cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

But Waterloo Region’s housing market is doing relatively well, a housing market outlook conference was told Thursday.

The market is somewhat softer than it was at the beginning of the year, but should pick up a bit later next year, analysts from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. told real estate agents and home builders at the event at Bingemans.

“I think we have seen, especially in the resale market, the slowest part,” said Erica McLerie, an analyst with the corporation. “The new mortgage rules were introduced in July, so that has already impacted the markets, and as we move through 2013, especially with employment growth, that will support housing demand.”

The corporation expects that 6,450 resale homes will change hands in 2013 while 2,900 new homes will be built. Those numbers are a bit lower compared to this year, but the good news is that prices in Waterloo Region should remain steady, instead of declining, as is happening in other markets, McLerie said.

Ed Heese, another analyst with the corporation, said the U.S. economy is turning the corner with growing consumer confidence and rising house prices. Vehicle sales in the U.S. are rising, which will help out manufacturing and the employment picture in Waterloo Region, he said.

As a result, he expects “slow but steady” improvement in the local housing market next year.

The corporation also presented research about the home features that have the biggest impact on home prices. A finished basement has very little impact on price, said McLerie. But homes with green features, central air and those located close to post-secondary institutions are the ones that generate higher prices.

The corporation stressed, however, that construction of single detached homes is slowing down, while demand for apartments and condominiums is rising.

There were fewer couples with children in the 2011 census compared to the 2006 census, and that’s the group that is most likely to buy single-detached homes, McLerie said.

An increase in the number of immigrants in the region and a growing boomer population that has more middle-aged people living alone means there will be greater demand for apartments, she said.

Most of the apartments are being built in downtown areas, in keeping with Waterloo Region’s strategy of trying to intensify core areas, McLerie said.

A concern for the long-term future of the housing market is the 14 per cent unemployment rate for young people. That is slowing down the formation of new households, she said.

“According to the Statistics Canada census, about 42 per cent of people ages 20 to 29 are still living in their parental homes and unless they get good jobs they won’t be able to move into housing of their own, whether in the rental market or the home buying market.”

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WATERLOO — Those portable, neon-letter signs may be criticized by some as roadside eyesores and have prompted proposed changes to Waterloo’s sign bylaw, but sign company operators told council Monday night that those signs can attract up to 30 per cent of the sales for the businesses that use them.

“Many business owners will tell you that portable sign advertising keeps them in business,” Mike Gaudreau told council.

Gaudreau, of React Mobile Signs, was one of several people who appeared before Waterloo city councillors Monday to weigh in a proposed new sign bylaw that would limit or eliminate their ability to use mobile signs. He brought to council a petition signed by 87 businesses that oppose some of the changes.

Several worried business owners also sent letters and emails to councillors. Those businesses range from tanning spas and restaurants to credit unions and flower shops. Many have been in the community for decades.

Under a Freedom of Information request, Gaudreau learned there were 18 complaints about mobile signs this year. Five came from the public, the rest were generated internally, likely from staff, according to the city’s director of bylaw.

He said his information request showed that mobile sign permits brought in about $84,000 in revenue for the city at the same time.

Dave Lamka of A to Z Signs, said Kitchener businesses can use mobile signs six months out of the year, giving them a competitive advantage.

“Business owners in Kitchener will use their six months of mobile sign time to take badly needed sales from Waterloo’s local business owners,” he said. “Many badly needed jobs will be lost in Waterloo.”

Portable or mobile signs — the ones with neon letters — wouldn’t be allowed anymore in commercial plazas under a proposed citywide sign bylaw. They could be used in other areas, including those zoned “corridor commercial.”

They would be allowed to use accessory signs such as A-frame, T-frame or sandwich board signs, instead.

No decision was made at the meeting.

“I’m a little concerned that depending on where you are, your sign options are a little limited,” Coun. Scott Witmer said.

A number of changes are proposed to Waterloo’s sign bylaw that will impact everyone from business owners and landlords to real estate agents and neighbourhood associations. The proposed changes include:

•  Grandfathering existing roof and billboard signs, but not allowing new ones;

•  Allowing the city’s sign variance committee to approve applications, instead of requiring council approval;

•  Limiting neighbourhood association signs to 12 per year, with other rules;

•  Allowing landlords to post temporary signs advertising vacancies but disallowing signs to advertise property management companies on the facade of any residential building; and

•  Real estate signs can’t sit on lawns longer than the property is available for sale, rent or lease. Sold signs can be posted for a maximum of two weeks.

Mayor Brenda Halloran does not support handing sign approval authority to staff.

“I think all applications should still come to council because we’re the voice of the community,” she said. “That concerns me a lot.”

City staff have been working on the new policy for more than a year. According to a report, they consulted with stakeholders and held a public open house July 31.

Staff are making changes based on council and public input and will bring a revised bylaw to council for approval later this year.