Just the Facts:
● The proposed redevelopment at 36 Elliott Street in Cambridge involves replacing an existing single-detached dwelling with a six-unit, two-storey apartment house, including basement units.
● A combined Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment is requested to increase the site’s allowable density from 40 to 61 units per hectare and rezone the property from R4 Residential to RM3 Residential.
● The development includes eight parking spaces, landscaped amenity spaces, and site-specific provisions to address a reduced lot frontage and interior side yard setback.
CAMBRIDGE — A proposed redevelopment at 36 Elliott Street is under consideration following the submission of a combined Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) application.
The proposed development seeks to replace an existing single-detached dwelling with a six-unit, two-storey apartment house, including a basement level.
Dryden, Smith & Head Planning Consultants Ltd. has submitted the applications on behalf of the owner, Caiden-Keller Homes Inc.
The subject site, located within an established neighbourhood, covers an area of 997.03 square metres (0.0997 hectares) and features a lot frontage of 15.30 metres.
The site is currently zoned as R4 Residential under the City of Cambridge Zoning By-law No. 150-85, which does not permit the intended increased residential density or apartment house use.
To facilitate the proposed redevelopment, the applicant has requested an Official Plan Amendment to increase the allowable density on the site from 40 units per hectare (UPH) to 61 UPH. This change is necessary as the current Low-Medium Density designation in the Official Plan caps density at 40 UPH.
Additionally, a Zoning By-law Amendment is sought to rezone the property from R4 Residential to RM3 Residential, a designation that permits apartment houses and supports higher residential densities.
The requested RM3 zoning includes site-specific provisions to accommodate the unique characteristics of the site.
The proposed provisions include a request to reduce the required lot frontage to 15.30 metres, whereas a minimum of 30 metres is required.
Additionally, another proposed provision is requesting to permit a reduced interior side yard setback of 2.5 metres, in contrast to the required 3.0 metres for the first two storeys.
The proposed two-storey apartment building will consist of six units: four two-bedroom units and two one-bedroom units with an additional den.
The layout includes three units on the ground and second storeys, with the remaining three units situated in the basement.
The design provides for landscaped amenity spaces and balconies for the main and upper floors, while basement units will have separate access through a private, covered stairway.
The development includes a total of eight parking spaces, meeting the Zoning By-law’s requirement of one space per dwelling unit plus one space per four units for visitors.
Of these, six spaces are designated for residents and two for visitors. Additionally, the site will offer short-term bicycle racks with three spaces and long-term bicycle storage with two spaces within the building.
The proposed site design features a six-metre-wide two-way drive aisle, which also serves as a fire route, ensuring safe access for emergency vehicles.
A pedestrian walkway will extend through the site, connecting to the existing municipal sidewalk on Elliott Street.
The proposed redevelopment at 36 Elliott Street is a significant project that seeks to increase residential density in a well-established neighbourhood while addressing the unique constraints of the site.
The requested amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law are necessary to permit the construction of the six-unit apartment house, which will replace the existing single-detached dwelling.
The application is currently under review, with site-specific zoning provisions requested to address the reduced lot frontage and side yard setbacks, ensuring the development aligns with the site’s characteristics and the City’s broader planning objectives.
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