Cambridge looks to add more density to 4 properties to boost affordable housing units

Cambridge councillors will review a plan Tuesday to make changes to four properties to allow more residential units in a bid to increase the number of affordable housing units that can be built on them.

A staff report lists the four properties as:

• 10 Ethel St.
• 1580 Queenston Rd.
• 25 Chalmers St. S.
• 0 Grand RidgeDr.

City staff say the recommendation to make changes to the city's official plan and rezone this particular properties stems from discussions that date back to Aug. 25, 2020, when councillors asked staff to review city owned lands that could be used for affordable housing.

During a council workshop on July 4 of this year, the four properties were short-listed by councillors, the report says. City staff say that with the right development, more units on these properties would fit well with the neighbouring areas.

"The addition of gentle density in existing neighbourhoods allows for more residents to age in place as it presents opportunities to downsize without having to move out of their neighbourhood," the staff report going before council on Tuesday says.

"The proposed infill developments would also work towards fulfilling the recent housing pledge made to the province."

Plans for the properties

The property at 10 Ethel Street is a former regional water tower and the report says it's generally surrounded by single and semi-detached homes.

There are options proposed from this property, including seven townhouses to 24 walk-up apartment units. Staff say in the report they would recommend a "moderate density concept" of a four-storey building with 14 stacked townhouse units, each having one parking space accessed off Harvey Lane.

The property at 1580 Queenston Rd. is the former Preston Scout House, which is designated a heritage structure. It's currently being leased to two community groups for a two-year term.

The city says the proposed concepts for this property would be designed as additions to the building and would "demonstrate possible options to provide additional density through sympathetic additions to a heritage structure."

Three options have been provided for the Queenston Road property, including:

• Two designs for 16 four-storey stacked townhouse units.
• A 24-unit, three storey walk-up apartment building.

The report says staff would recommend the apartment building as it would "provide the most affordable units with less visual impact" than the townhouse units.

The property at 25 Chalmers St. S. was the site ofthe former St. Ambrose school which also currently has existing community facilities using it. The proposed options for this site include up to three buildings, with the third being listed as being completed in a "future phase," the report says. The concepts include keeping community facilities in the existing building and/or creating new community spaces in a third building, staff said.

The 0 Grand Ridge Dr. property is owned by the region and is a vacant parcel if land surrounded by detached homes. Staff say they'd like to see a high density development on this property, which would include a 50-unit, four storey apartment building.

"With strong urban design, this gateway site can support a higher density development," the staff report says. "With appropriate building design, the visual impact on surround residents can be minimalized."

City council is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.