Council Connects - May 28 2024

This update will connect residents to important discussions and decisions made by Cambridge City Council. The Mayor and Council make up the local government for the City of Cambridge. They develop laws and policies, which the City's administration implements. 

Approval of the Amended Grand River Source Protection Plan

The Grand River Source Protection Plan affecting the City of Cambridge was approved by the Province and has been in effect since July 1, 2016. An amendment to the Plan is required to support operational changes at four well fields, including one in Cambridge known as the Blair Road well field. The proposed increase in the permitted pumping at the Blair Road supply well requires an update to the Well Head Protection Area (WHPA) mapping. WHPAs are land areas around a municipal well based on how quickly water travels underground to the well. The update to the plan is due to the proposed increase in the permitted pumping at the Blair Road supply well. The changes to the WHPA for the Blair Road well field will result in a 2.5% increase in the amount of land in the city that is within a WHPA. The update to the Plan required Council support as per the Clean Water Act and will involve communication with area residents. This increase does not necessarily directly translate into new requirements for property owners.

Neighbourhood Associations Support Services Policy Review

The purpose of this report was to provide Council with an updated policy to better support the services of our Neighbourhood Associations. The City works in collaboration with Neighbourhood Associations to meet the varied needs of community members. The Support Services to Neighbourhood Associations Policy has been revised to reflect the needs of our changing neighbourhoods more accurately. Notable revisions to the policy include the creation of a dedicated staff liaison, role clarity, reporting measures, and increased consultation and collaboration. The City acts as a core funder and partner for each Neighbourhood Association. In a strategic manner, the City provides base funding which supports community development and the provision of neighbourhood specific programming. View the full report and policy in the Council agenda.

2024 Arts and Culture Action Plan Approval

The goal of the plan is to make Cambridge a thriving center of creative and cultural development – by making it a destination for artists and creatives, developing new and leveraging existing partnership structures to grow the local cultural network, enhancing how local cultural spaces are used, and clarifying the City’s role in arts and culture within Cambridge. The Action Plan identifies current and emerging priorities for the Recreation and Culture Division. Consultation and involvement of key stakeholder groups, including Council and staff have informed all stages of the Plan’s development. The strategy will provide a framework for decision-making and resource allocation. Ongoing engagement and communication about the Plan during its life cycle will be important for ensuring that the Plan is supported and adopted.

Recommendation Report for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment - 777 Laurel Street and 308 Dolph Street North

Council considered an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application for a rental residential apartment development consisting of 1,215 units. The Subject Lands are located within the City’s existing delineated Built-Up Area and the proposal represents an opportunity to transform the lands into a vibrant redevelopment. The proposed development is within the City’s Regeneration Area in the City of Cambridge Official Plan, which anticipates a transition of use from employment uses to non-employment uses and where intensification is encouraged. The proposed development aligns with Provincial, Regional and City goals and objectives with respect to intensification. Council deferred this item to a meeting in June where they wish to receive further feedback from a community meeting held in the meantime. View the full presentation and drawings in the Council agenda.

Recommendation Report for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments – 201 Water Street South and 66 Highman Avenue

Staff recommended an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to facilitate the development of a high density residential development consisting of two 15-storey towers atop a shared podium containing 330 dwelling units. In response to comments from Council and local residents, and following discussions with City staff, the Applicant revised their previously presented proposal. Of note, the Applicant is proposing to commit 20 residential units in the development to affordable housing. In consultation with the Region of Waterloo, the units are proposed to be sold at a maximum purchase price of $418,000 per unit. Council expressed their appreciation for the collaboration and compromise that took place throughout this process before approving the application. View the full proposal and photos in the Council agenda.

Recommendation Report for City initiated Zoning By-law Amendment - 214 and 216 Union St. N. and 229 and 231 Anne St.

Council received a recommendation on a City initiated Zoning Bylaw Amendment to legalize the two existing semi-detached dwellings, for a total of four dwelling units on the subject lands.  The subject lands contain two semi-detached dwellings, for a total of four dwelling units. The proposed Amendment which would rezone the lands from RM3 to RM4 will legalize the existing semi-detached dwellings and the owner of 214 and 216 Union Street can fulfill the consent condition to create two saleable lots within an established residential neighbourhood. After some discussion with staff Council approved the amendment.

KPMG 2023 Financial Report

This report supports the financial sustainability of the City by ensuring appropriate oversight and governance towards the City’s consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements indicate that the City is fiscally strong as of December 31,2023, with net financial worth of $1,012.8 million. As of December 31, 2023, total financial assets were $462.2 million, total liabilities were $298.2 million and non-financial assets were $848.8 million. In comparison, as at December 31, 2022, net financial worth was $895.1, total financial assets were $424.7 million, total liabilities were $287.2 million, and non-financial assets were $757.6 million. This report reviews area such as assets, expenses, revenue and reserves to name a few. This report also provides transparency in the City’s financial position and year end performance and ensures the City remains compliant with the requirements of the Municipal Act.

Core Areas Community Improvement Plan Minor Amendment

To request Council approval for minor amendment to the approved Core Areas Community Improvement Plan (CIP) specifically seeking permission to approve additional funding to projects started from June 29, 2021 and afterwards that are beyond the scope of the original program outlines in specific cases and to approve unique projects on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the property owners in the core areas have the ability to attract and retain tenants despite existing unaddressed conditions. During the current implementation phase of the Community Improvement Plan for 2024, Staff noted that there is a noticeable gap in specific coverage by the Financial Incentives relating to flood mitigation and prevention. Staff are hoping to address this gap on an ongoing case-by-case basis to establish our core areas as attractive destinations and to help address current vacancies in those areas, thereby supporting economic inclusion and promotion efforts.