Cambridge council gives green light to controversial housing project
Posted Sep 4, 2025 09:27:26 AM.
Last Updated Sep 4, 2025 12:08:02 PM.
After a brief halt, a controversial housing redevelopment in Cambridge, which would see the removal of affordable rental units, is now set to continue, thanks to a new approval from council.
The project on Blair Road will see the construction of two stacked townhouse blocks, with 32 available standard for-sale units, but it’ll come at the cost of five affordable rental homes already in the area.
Council voted to remove the existing holding provision that had halted construction plans, one that was needed to complete various surveys and studies of the property, including the noise and vibrations coming from trains on the nearby CN railway.
The redevelopment slated for 220-222 Blair Rd. was first introduced in March 2024 and was initially hit with plenty of controversy, both from the local community and councillors alike.
Those concerns mainly stemmed from the removal of those affordable units, but also stretched to overall density in the area, as well as the tree removal needed. As of now, the current space includes a four-plex affordable rental complex and a single-detached home, both of which will be cleared and demolished.
It led councillors to initially refuse the application for the redevelopment project; however, after various negotiations and a detailed justification report to the Ontario Land Tribunal, plans for the project continued.
The tribunal decided that the development aligned with various provincial, regional, and municipal policies, including goals of increasing density in more urban areas while also addressing the need for increased housing.
At the time, the project sparked debate in the city, pushing for further rental replacement bylaws, with no such rulings currently in place. Even though those plans are still in the works, the new development will now continue without them.
Those proposals were pushed to city staff in April, set to bring recommendations on a potential rental replacement bylaw sometime in 2026.
Council’s decision to lift the holding provision will now allow construction plans to continue once again for the Blair Road housing redevelopment project.
