The City of Cambridge (the City) is undertaking the Chilligo-Ellis Community Study through a Master Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP) and Secondary Plan for the lands shown in Figure 1. With support from Dillon Consulting Limited, the City is studying how the area can grow in a well-planned, sustainable, and environmentally responsible way. The study will help shape future land uses, parks and open spaces, transportation networks, and municipal services needed to support the community as it develops.

To support Cambridge's long-term growth, the project is designed to address several key objectives, including:

1. Environmental Protection: Plan for long-term protection of natural heritage features, including Chilligo-Ellis Creek, East Creek, and their associated watersheds.
2. Infrastructure Planning: Establish a comprehensive approach to planning for water, wastewater, stormwater, and utilities.
3. Sustainable Transportation: Plan a network of trails, walking and cycling routes, transit connections, and roads to make it easier for people to travel throughout the community and encourage a variety of transportation options.
4. Land Use and Economics: Develop a plan for compact urban development that balances residential, employment and commercial uses and promotes mixed-use transit-oriented development

The Region of Waterloo is growing quickly and is expected to be home to approximately 923,000 people by 2051. To help accommodate this growth, the Province approved an expansion of the urban boundary, bringing the 526-hectare Chilligo-Ellis area into the City of Cambridge's urban area.

This study is being initiated in accordance with Approach #2 of the Master Planning process under the Ontario Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Municipal Class EA). The completion of the MESP satisfies the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment requirements for any Schedule B projects that are identified through the preferred scenario as well as Phases 1 and 2 of any Schedule C projects.

In addition, this study will be integrated with the Planning Act (for Secondary Plan and Official Plan Amendment adoption) as outlined in Section A.2.9 of the Municipal Class EA process.

This integrated approach will establish the statutory foundation for recommended Schedule C transportation and infrastructure projects arising from the study.

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