Cambridge city council has asked staff to review a proposal to build five 15-storey apartment buildings on a current woodlot on Water Street S. that would see the removal of almost 700 trees.

LJM Developments of Burlington has asked for a zoning change from the city that would allow them to build the towers over a 20 year period at 192 Water Street S. and 62 Highman Avenue.

But councillors and delegates at a meeting this week had questions about flood plains, potential wind tunnels, shadows affecting homes, parking and a tree management plan.

Delegate Craig Robertson presented a petition to the council with more than 1,200 signatures of people against the plan.

“Development is inevitable. We are not opposed to the region getting stronger and we understand the region has a density growth projection moving to 2050,” Robertson said. 

“But we have to look at a balance of nature and a balance of people. A balancing act of all these proposed developments and the balancing of buildings that enhance and not overwhelm. And this proposal is overwhelming.”
Developer plans to plant trees, build parkette

The staff report said the developer is “proposing to replace the majority of the trees that are planned for removal” in the rear part of the lot. The developer is also proposing to build a parkette along with a playground structure at 62 Highman Avenue, as well as a pedestrian connection between the park and the proposed towers.

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