Just the Facts:
● The approved project, led by River Mill, will feature 1,706 to 2,045 dwelling units, including a mix of high, medium, and low-density residential types, with higher-density apartment buildings concentrated along Speedsville Road and a mixed-use area at Speedsville Road and Equestrian Way.
● The revised plan includes a 2.41-hectare school site, an expanded 2.00-hectare neighbourhood park, and an enlarged stormwater management pond, alongside increased natural heritage protection, with 12.57 hectares dedicated to wetlands and green spaces.
● The development was rezoned under the “River Mill Community” framework, permitting up to eight-storey buildings, a maximum density of 200 units per hectare for high-density blocks, reduced setbacks, increased lot coverage, and decreased amenity space requirements.
CAMBRIDGE — On October 8, 2024, the City of Cambridge approved the revised development proposal led by River Mill for 1455 Speedsville Road, 1285 Speedsville Road, a portion of 800 Briardean Road, and unaddressed lands at the northeast corner of Speedsville Road and Equestrian Way.
The resubmitted proposal introduces various changes to the original plan, including a mix of residential types and uses, with updates to density, lot coverage, and building height regulations.
The revised development includes between 1,706 and 2,045 dwelling units across high, medium, and low-density residential areas, along with a mixed-use area at the intersection of Speedsville Road and Equestrian Way.
The higher-density residential buildings will be concentrated along Speedsville Road, while medium and low-density units will be located within the development’s interior.
Housing options will range from apartments to cluster row houses, providing a diverse mix of residential forms. Significant changes to the plan include:
● the addition of a 2.41-hectare school site for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board,
● the expansion of the neighbourhood park from 0.51 hectares to 2.00 hectares, and
● The stormwater management pond was enlarged to 1.77 hectares from the original 1.34 hectares.
The natural heritage area has also been expanded to 12.57 hectares, ensuring the preservation of wetlands and natural features on the site.
Both an Official Plan Amendment and a Zoning By-law Amendment were submitted and approved to facilitate the proposed development.
The site was previously zoned A1 (Agricultural), RM3 (Multiple Residential with site-specific provisions), and OS1 (Open Space), with several site-specific zoning designations under the Hunt Club Estates (Apartment Block) and Hunt Club Estates (Adult Lifestyle Community) framework.
The Official Plan amendment redesignated the lands under the “River Mill Community” framework, enabling mixed-use residential development with high-density blocks and medium-density transitional areas.
Under the newly approved zoning, the site is now rezoned as:
● RM4 Zone (River Mill Residential Neighbourhood) – allowing medium-density residential uses with building heights up to eight storeys.
● CS5 Zone (River Mill Main Street) – permitting mixed-use development with higher-density residential and commercial uses along major roadways.
● RM3 Zone (River Mill Speedsville Apartment Blocks) – for high-density apartment blocks with a maximum density of 200 units per hectare.
● N1 Zone (Elementary School Site) – for institutional use, accommodating the new 2.41-hectare school block.
● OS1 and OS4 Zones (Open Space) – preserving natural heritage areas, parkland, and stormwater management facilities.
The approved zoning amendment includes several site-specific provisions, such as:
● Increased building heights: Permitting buildings up to eight storeys, particularly in the high-density and mixed-use areas.
● Higher residential densities: High-density blocks have been approved with a maximum of 200 units per hectare, supporting apartment development along key corridors with 50 units per hectare approved for lower-density blocks.
● Reduced amenity space: Private amenity space for cluster row houses has been reduced from 35 square metres to 30 square metres per unit.
● Landscaping adjustments: The required landscaped open space has been reduced from 45% to 35%.
Parking requirements were also reduced, with one parking space per dwelling unit and an additional 0.15 spaces per unit designated for visitor parking.
The approval from council included the passing of by-laws and a recommendation to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to grant draft approval for the Draft Plan of Subdivision 30T-21101, subject to specified conditions.
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