CAMBRIDGE — The City of Cambridge has received proposals for a significant development project at 201 Water St. S. and 66 Highman Ave. The applicant, SG Real Estate Developments LP II, and planning consultants NPG Planning Solutions Inc. aim to construct a residential apartment complex comprising three towers atop a unified podium.
The proposed development consists of two towers at 13 storeys each and one tower at nine storeys, totalling 330 dwelling units.
The applicant seeks an Official Plan Amendment and a Zoning By-law Amendment to accommodate this project.
The Official Plan Amendment involves redesignating the subject lands from “Low/Medium Density Residential” and “Natural Open Space System” to “Medium-High Density Residential.”
Additionally, the applicant requests a site-specific policy change to allow for a Floor Space Index of 3.0, an increase from the current 2.0.
Similarly, the Zoning By-law Amendment aims to rezone the lands from “Open Space – OS1” and “Residential – R4” to “Multiple-Residential – RM2.”
The change would enable an increased density of 219 units per hectare, up from the current maximum of 150 units per hectare.
The development plans include 416 vehicle parking spaces and 117 bicycle parking spaces to serve residents and visitors.
Access to the site will be provided through two points on Water St. S. and emergency access via 66 Highman Ave.
The design also incorporates road widening along Water St. S., reducing the total area of the subject lands to 1.51 hectares (3.74 acres).
However, certain aspects of the proposal do not comply with existing regulations and, therefore, require site-specific provisions.
For instance, the proposed minimum interior side yard of 6 metres falls short of the required 12 metres for a development of this scale.
Similarly, the plan to locate parking facilities within 0.5 metres of the street line does not meet the required 3-metre setback.
Furthermore, the existing stone residence on the site, which exceeds the permitted height of 4.5 metres and contains two stories, does not comply with accessory building regulations.
Additionally, the proposed density of 219 units per hectare exceeds the current maximum of 150 units per hectare.
A statutory public meeting has been scheduled for March 5, 2024, where these proposals will be discussed.
The Subject Lands, situated south of Downtown Galt, is within an area designated as a “Built-Up Area” in the Waterloo Region Official Plan and currently zoned as “Open Space One (OS1)” and “Residential (R4)”.
The proposed development represents a significant addition to the housing stock in Cambridge, contributing to the city’s ongoing growth and urban development efforts.
However, the project must address concerns related to zoning regulations and site-specific requirements to move forward.
Comment Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in the comments section of this blog are solely those of the individuals who submit them and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of the author or the website owner. We do not endorse or support any comments that may be offensive, discriminatory, or harmful in nature.
We encourage open and respectful discussions and welcome diverse perspectives. However, it is important to remember that comments are the personal opinions of the commenters and not official representations of our stance or values. We reserve the right to moderate or remove comments that violate our comment policy or that we deem inappropriate.
Please engage in discussions with courtesy and respect for one another, keeping in mind that differing opinions can coexist in a constructive manner. Thank you for being a part of our community and for helping to maintain a positive and inclusive environment.
