Cambridge high-rise development proposal has councillors worried about too much density
Posted Mar 23, 2022 05:05:12 PM.
Cambridge's Hespeler Village could be transformed with a proposal for a huge high-rise development.
The property is by the 401, near Hespeler Road and Queen Street West at 410 Queen Street West.
A proposal by Blacks Point Development includes ten buildings, with heights ranging from 12 to 30 storeys, nearly 2,000 residential units, and commercial space.
The property is described as “the equivalent of 12 football fields.”
Blacks Point's website touts job creation, options for first-time homebuyers, and a boost to local housing stock.
This development would bring an influx of people, business, and traffic to the area.
But, during a Cambridge council meeting Tuesday, Councillor Mike Devine expressed concern that land nearby is also set for redevelopment.
“With all the other properties that are going to be available, all these brownfield sites, and there's over 30 acres, are we going to want the Village of Hespeler to look like Dubai? I think not,” he said.
Coun. Nicholas Ermetta said he isn't against tall buildings, but worried about “what could potentially be the Manhattan-ization of Cambridge.”
Derek Coleman, a long-time Cambridge resident, who lives three blocks away from the property voiced to councillors the area may become too dense.
He said, “To me, it looks like something that might have Godzilla climbing behind the building or King Kong scaling it. It's just out of scale with the community. Hespeler is primarily a single-family residential community.”
The development could also cause problems with a nearby long-standing business.
Lawyer Paul DeMelo for Samuel, Son & Co. told councillors potential new residents would live by a steel manufacturer that operates six days per week, including in the early mornings.
“There's particular concern, with regards to the impacts of the residential development and the noise issues, noise complaints that could arise from the proposed residential towers,” DeMelo said.
Zoning bylaw allows for buildings up to 12 stories and this proposal would require some exemptions.
Cambridge councillors voted for city staff and the developer to bring back a report and planning recommendation at a future meeting.
