5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-22, regarding a request to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to open the publicly owned parking at the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School Complex for either residential free parking or commercial parking opportunities during “off” hours. (CM25#113)

CM25#113     May 5, 2025

To the Honorable, the City Council:
Please see below response relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-22, regarding a request to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to open the publicly owned parking at the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School Complex for either residential free parking or commercial parking opportunities during “off” hours.

City staff have conferred with the Interim Superintendent David Murphy and his staff to further consider this issue. The order has also been discussed by the School Committee and has been referred to the School Committee Buildings and Grounds sub-committee for further consideration at a later date. The Interim Superintendent has committed to recommending City staff be invited to participate once a date for such has been established.

Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager

6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Subandha Karmacharya as a member of the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship for a term of three years. (CM25#114)

CM25#114     May 5, 2025

I am writing to recommend Subandha Karmacharya to be appointed to the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (CIRC) for a term of three years, effective May 5, 2025:

CIRC, which was established in 2016, acts as a centralizing force in the City to deal with immigrant rights and citizenship issues, providing information, referral, guidance, coordination, offering and providing technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to support immigrant rights and citizenship. CIRC also works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against immigrants because of their status as immigrants and/or non-citizens.

This work is accomplished through educating the community and Commissioners about the rights of immigrants residing in Cambridge and the opportunities available to enhance immigrant participation in the Cambridge community through engagement with City services, resources, programs and local and regional efforts to address immigrants’ particular needs, with a focus on language access.

Commissioners must live or work in Cambridge, and support staff and the Language Justice Division, to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship Ordinance. CIRC is made up of eleven volunteer members who reside in Cambridge and who bring their knowledge of the immigrant experience, as immigrants themselves or as persons whose life work is with immigrant-serving organizations.

The City Manager’s office posted a request for applications for CIRC on the City website and via a news release first on February 6, 2025, with a closing date of March 10, 2025. Additionally, during that time, members of the Commission conducted outreach with their networks. The call for applicants was also posted in several of the City’s daily email updates and in postings on the City website.

There were 16 applicants, 4 of whom were interviewed. Of those 4, the interview panel, made up of City staff members and a current Commissioner, has recommended the appointment of 1 of those applicants.

Subandha Karmacharya:
Ms. Karmacharya is a long-term Cambridge resident and an immigrant herself. She brings both lived experience and a deep, personal commitment to advocating for immigrant communities. Her previous service on CIRC, along with her work in the Mayor’s Office, has given her a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Cambridge residents.

Ms. Karmacharya’s background in government, communication, and community engagement positions her to be a thoughtful and effective voice on the Commission. I am confident she will continue to make meaningful contributions to the important work of CIRC.

I appreciate the willingness of this community member to serve on the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship and, with your approval, look forward to her appointment.

7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Carolyn Zern as a member of the Planning Board for a term of five years. (CM25#115)

CM25#115     May 5, 2025

I am writing to recommend the following appointment of a member to the Planning Board for a term of five years, effective May 15, 2025:

Members

• Carolyn Zern (appointment)

The Planning Board was established under Chapter 2.68 of the Cambridge Municipal Code and provisions of M.G.L., c. 41 § 70 through 72. The Planning Board has an important role in decisions that help shape urban development and in discussions of city planning policies. Under the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, certain uses and types of development may require a special permit from the Planning Board, a quasi-judicial body that conducts public hearings on all applications before it and issues decisions. The Board also reviews proposed amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance and makes recommendations to the City Council.

The vacancy was posted in the city portal and listed on the Boards or Commissions webpage on November 14, 2024, with a closing date of December 30, 2024. Outreach was done through traditional and non-traditional methods, using digital, analog, and direct outreach, to publicize the information with the goal of reaching a diverse audience.

• The vacancy was posted in the city Boards and Commissions portal and listed on the ‘I Want to Apply for a Board or Commission’ webpage.

• A news story about Planning Board vacancies was featured on the CDD homepage and the City homepage.

• A press release was issued for use by non-City media.

• Information about the vacancy was publicized through the City’s social media and in the City’s daily updates newsletter.

• Community Engagement Team outreach workers shared the vacancy information with their communities (Arabic speaking, Amharic speaking, American-born Black, Bangla speaking, Haitian Creole, and Spanish speaking communities).

21 applications were received and reviewed in detail. 7 interviews were conducted. The committee that reviewed applications and shortlisted candidates, as well as the interview committee were diverse and included representatives from multiple departments. The Office of Equity and Inclusion completed a review of both the applicants and interview candidates to determine sufficient diversity at various levels.

The next anticipated vacancy for the Planning Board will come in 2026.

The new member I am recommending for appointment to the Planning Board brings a wide range of skills and experience to their role.

• Carolyn Zern (appointment) has many years of experience in sustainability and urban planning as well as working in both public and private sector. She is particularly interested in planning for climate change and equitable future for all community members. Her background in real estate and urban design as well as familiarity with civic review processes makes her a valuable addition to the Planning Board.

I appreciate the willingness of this community member to serve on the Planning Board and, with your approval, look forward to her appointment.

8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Planning Board recommendation on the AHO Heights Zoning Petition. (CM25#116)

Date: April 24, 2025
Subject: Affordable Housing Overlay Heights Petition
Recommendation: The Planning Board recommends ADOPTION.

To the Honorable, the City Council,
On April 15, 2025, the Planning Board (the “Board”) held a public hearing to discuss a Zoning Petition by the City Council to amend Article 11.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. The Petition proposes to amend the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) to limit allowable height increases in Residence C-1 districts, remove references to provisions in the base zoning that are no longer applicable, and clarify references to departments responsible for enforcement.

The Board heard a presentation from staff in the City’s Community Development Department (CDD). Following the presentation, public comment, and discussion among Board members, the Planning Board voted to forward this report to the City Council with a positive recommendation.

The Board supported the Petition’s removal of obsolete references in the Affordable Housing Overlay to avoid confusion and maintain consistency throughout the Zoning Ordinance. Board members also agreed that AHO projects should be limited to 9 stories in Residence C-1 districts that are not on an AHO Corridor or in an AHO Square, which was the expected outcome of the recent Multifamily Zoning Amendment. Board members acknowledged that the height limits for AHO Corridors and Squares in Residence C-1 districts were not changed by the Multifamily Zoning Amendment. The Board agreed that the intent of the Petition is clear and had no recommended text changes.

The Planning Board voted 6-0 in favor of transmitting the above report.

Respectfully submitted for the Planning Board,
Mary Flynn, Chair

14. Resolution on the death of Doane Perry.   Councillor Nolan

R-14     May 5, 2025
COUNCILLOR NOLAN

WHEREAS: The City Council was saddened to learn of the death of Thomas Doane Perry III on April 7, 2025, at age 82; a fixture in Cambridge before retiring to Western Massachusetts in 2018 where he contributed positively to the community there in numerous ways, as he had in Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: Doane was an active, valued, and compassionate member of the Cambridge community for many years, heading the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association and serving as secretary of the Cambridge Action Fund, which raised funds for the unhoused in Cambridge and Somerville; and

WHEREAS: For many years Doane and his wife, Karen Carmean, owned and operated a Bed & Breakfast in Cambridge and Doane enjoyed participating in the Masters Swim Program in Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: He was a longtime member of the Friends Meeting at Cambridge, which will be holding a celebration of his life on September 20th from 2pm to 4pm; and

WHEREAS: A Renaissance man with many talents and interests, Doane traveled extensively throughout the world, learning several languages, and he was an accomplished photographer, exhibiting his award-winning photos in Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, as well as his former wife and stepdaughter and his brother, Rodney Britton Perry, and sister-in-law, Joyce Perry, and their children and grandchildren, and he was predeceased by his parents and sister, Judith Perry; and

WHEREAS: Doane will be remembered for his kindness, his curiosity, his appreciation for the arts and music, his gentle and generous spirit, and his quirky sense of humor; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record expressing its deepest condolences to the family of Doane Perry, for their tremendous loss; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the family of Doane Perry on behalf of the entire City Council.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on April 10, 2025 to discuss services being provided to the unhoused community and an update on the opioid settlement. [text of report]
Present: McGovern, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson
Remote Present: Nolan
Also Present: Toner, Zusy

2. The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on April 17, 2025 to discuss the feasibility of a successor program to Rise Up. [text of report]
Present: McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson
Also Present: Zusy

3. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on April 29, 2025 on a Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Article 11.000 with the intent to amend certain subsections of the Affordable Housing Overlay, Section 11.207 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, with the intent of limiting allowable height increases in Residence C-1 districts, removing references to provisions in the base zoning that are no longer applicable, and clarifying references to departments responsible for enforcement. The Ordinance Committee voted favorably to accept the amendments and forward them to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
Present: Azeem, McGovern, Zusy
Remote Present: Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Simmons, Toner, Wilson
Absent: Siddiqui

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     May 5, 2025
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has developed comprehensive plans to create a network of safe bike lanes, neighborways and shared use paths, including the Grand Junction Path, to create a non-motorized network that connects to North Point and to the Somerville Community Path; and
WHEREAS: The Somerville Community Path and the continuing path through North Point to Boston’s North Station is the eastern end of the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT), a partially completed rail-trail greenway that extends from Boston to Northampton through 26 municipalities; and
WHEREAS: The MCRT Coalition, under the guidance of the Norwottuck Network, has embarked on a vital project to push for the completion of the entire Mass Central Rail Trail from Boston to Northampton, noting that 63-miles are currently open, with 94.5 miles protected and many miles being planned and under construction by various entities; and
WHEREAS: The completion of the Mass Central Rail Trail project will mitigate traffic and facilitate bike-to-school programs, community health and safety, economic development, increased tourism, climate resiliency, and historic education opportunities; and
WHEREAS: The MCRT Coalition’s mission aligns with Cambridge’s strategic priorities, particularly in promoting the health and safety of all of the Commonwealth’s citizens, fostering economic development throughout Massachusetts, and addressing key community objectives for the overall well-being of our citizens; and
WHEREAS: The MCRT Coalition has demonstrated a commitment to fostering partnerships, collaborating with entities such as MassDOT, Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation, the MassTrails program, the Mass Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR) and the numerous municipalities; and
WHEREAS: Completion of the Mass Central Rail Trail is consistent with the efforts of the MCRT Coalition, and that completing this 104-mile shared use path will enhance non-motor vehicle access to Cambridge and will solidify Cambridge’s position as one of the region’s premier destinations for residents, business, arts, entertainment, and general enjoyment; and
WHEREAS: The completion of the Mass Central Rail Trail project contributes to economic development in isolated rural communities and positions of our city, located at the east end of the trail, as an attractive destination for national and international bicycling and walking tourists; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record supporting the completion of the MCRT, which will foster a safer, greener, and more welcoming community and is wholly aligned with our city’s vision for a thriving and interconnected community, creating a lasting legacy for future generations; and be it further
ORDERED That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to MassDOT, Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mass Office of Outdoor Recreation, the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-2     May 5, 2025
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge recognizes the importance of swimming and aquatic-related activities and how they relate to good physical and mental health and enhance the quality of life for all people; and
WHEREAS: Drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of injury-related death for children up to age 14 in the United States, affecting not only the victims but also families, emergency personnel and hospitals of our community as a whole; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Public Health Department and Parks and Recreation Department have resources available to educate the public on water safety and the War Memorial Recreation Center offers year-round swim instruction classes for residents of all ages; and
WHEREAS: The ongoing effort and commitment to educate the public on pool and spa safety by the recreational water industry, as represented by organizations involved in the National Water Safety Month Coalition, is vital in helping prevent drowning and other water-related injuries; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record recognizing May 2025 as National Water Safety Month and encouraging all residents, especially parents and caregivers of children to educate themselves on water safety to help prevent water accidents.

O-3     May 5, 2025
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: The City has reported a general increase of bicycling activity over the last several years on many city streets; and
WHEREAS: Many residents do not have bike storage options at their residences and while Cambridge has racks throughout the city, bikes are still frequently damaged or stolen while locked to a rack, even with a high quality a lock; and
WHEREAS: Around 500 bikes are reported stolen in Cambridge each year; and
WHEREAS: Municipalities including Minneapolis, New York, Jersey City, and London have added bike pods to provide high-capacity bike storage options that limit access and are weather safe; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant staff to investigate bike pod storage options to be placed in suitable areas in the City to provide residents and visitors safe storage options; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the Council in a timely manner.

O-4     May 5, 2025
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: In 2008, Governor Deval Patrick signed a state law allowing civilian employees to direct traffic rather than flagging details being required to be conducted solely by police officers; and
WHEREAS: Despite civilian traffic flaggers being common in other states, Massachusetts was the last state in the nation to allow them under state law, and they continue to be uncommon in municipalities in Massachusetts due to requirements in police union contracts; and
WHEREAS: In 2023, Boston negotiated a new contract with their municipal police union that allows for civilian flaggers and is in the process of instituting them; and
WHEREAS: Implementing civilian traffic flaggers has the potential to reduce costs to the City and the risk of escalation on routine traffic flagging details, and Cambridge’s most recent contract with the police union allows for civilian flaggers; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to prepare an update with details on the status of potential civilian flagger operations in the Cambridge police union contract and work with relevant city staff to explore a civilian traffic flagger program; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to update the current police union contract on the City’s union contracts web page; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-5     May 5, 2025
COUNCILLOR TONER
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts faces a critical housing shortage, with an estimated deficit of 200,000 housing units by 2030, driving high costs that disproportionately burden low- and middle-income households, exacerbate homelessness, and hinder economic growth; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge established an Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (Section 11.200 of Article 11.000 in 1998) requiring developers to include affordable units of new residential buildings with 10 or more units; and
WHEREAS: In April 2017, based on a 2016 Inclusionary Housing Study, the City amended the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to increase the required ratio of affordable housing to 20% of residential floor area in new residential buildings; and
WHEREAS: The 2017 amendment also established a requirement for the City to review and update the Inclusionary Housing requirement after five (5) years to consider changes in demographic characteristics and residential development activity, housing trends, vacancy rates, production statistics, prices for dwelling units, affordability, and the relationship between Inclusionary Housing Projects and all housing in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The MBTA Communities Act (Section 3A of MGL c. 40A), enacted in 2021, mandates that the City of Cambridge, as a rapid transit community, zone for multifamily housing as-of-right to accommodate 25% of its 2020 housing stock (approximately 13,477 units) in designated districts, to increase housing supply near transit and address the statewide housing crisis; and
WHEREAS: The MBTA Communities Act, through its implementing guidelines issued by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), limits municipalities’ ability to impose inclusionary housing requirements exceeding 10% of units in MBTA-compliant multifamily zoning districts, to ensure that such requirements do not unduly burden development or undermine the as-of-right zoning mandate intended to maximize housing production; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance currently requires 20% of units in developments of 10 or more units to be set aside as affordable, a requirement that exceeds the MBTA Communities Act’s threshold and potentially deterring housing production critical to meeting state mandates; and
WHEREAS: Other peer cities have reduced or proposed reducing inclusionary housing requirements to stimulate housing production, including Denver, Colorado and San Francisco, California; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge added only very few inclusionary units in the last three years, underscoring the ordinance’s limited effectiveness in producing affordable housing amidst ongoing housing production challenges; and
WHEREAS: The high cost of compliance with the 20% inclusionary requirement, combined with rising construction costs, interest rates, and land values, risks rendering many housing projects economically infeasible, thereby limiting the City’s ability to address the housing shortage and comply with production; and
WHEREAS: The City Council has received information on two separate projects of 291 units combined which are in the final stages of permitting and are stalled due to financial infeasibility; and
WHEREAS: Given changes in Cambridge’s residential development sector—including the high cost of capital, increases in construction labor and material costs, land costs, other development requirements, and other larger macroeconomic challenges and uncertainties, the development of new residential buildings has become significantly more challenging in recent years, making it advisable that a new Inclusionary Housing Study be undertaken and the immediate relief be provided to support current projects in planning and discussion; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department to develop a timeline for the next Inclusionary Housing Study; and be it further
ORDERED: The City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department and explore remedies to address the lack of housing starts and provide for consideration draft amendments to the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, based on a review of the affordable housing requirement, and provide guidance on what inclusionary requirements will allow the city to reach housing production goals and be in compliance with the MBTA community act, that any changes would be on an emergency basis, for a maximum period of three years, subject to an economic feasibility study required by the MBTA Communities Act; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to explore other incentives, such as tax abatements, density bonuses or expedited permitting, to encourage developers to include affordable units beyond the requirement voluntarily, particularly in zones with no existing density bonus; and be it further
ORDERED That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the progress of these directives within 30 days.

O-6     May 5, 2025
COUNCILLOR WILSON
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: The Cambridge City Council has been engaged in ongoing conversations amidst an uncertain economic environment, the looming end of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded projects, and other federal threats to programs that have supported our most vulnerable residents and are now facing imminent cuts or termination; and
WHEREAS: The Human Services and Veterans Committee convened on April 10 and April 17, 2025, to hold hearings related to some of these programs, including:

• Emergency Housing Vouchers for Permanent Supportive Housing, which currently provide housing for approximately 130 formerly unhoused Cambridge residents, and is now being dismantled by the Trump administration;

• Housing Vouchers for the Mixed Status Households, for approximately 42 families impacted by changing Federal Policy;

• Transition Wellness Center, a 58-bed non-congregate shelter that is an effective pathway to stable housing and renewed wellbeing;

• Rise Up Cambridge, the country’s first non-lottery cash assistance program, which has provided approximately 2,000 families with flexible, no-strings-attached monthly payments until its conclusion in February 2025; and

WHEREAS: These conversations have occurred against the backdrop of the FY26 budgeting process and the City Council’s responsibility to prioritize essential services in the face of economic uncertainty; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to include in the FY26 Operating Budget a continued commitment to Emergency Housing Vouchers for Permanent Supportive Housing and Mixed Status Families, and the Transition Wellness Center, as well as allocate the necessary resources to establish a municipal successor to Rise Up Cambridge that builds on its mission of providing direct, dignified economic support to families; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report to the City Council on each of these priorities during the FY26 budget hearings.

O-7     May 5, 2025
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR TONER
COUNCILLOR WILSON
WHEREAS: Cambridge is home to many longstanding small businesses located on the first floor of residential districts, which provide valuable amenities to the community; and
WHEREAS: These businesses are typically grandfathered in as non-conforming uses, and risk being removed or displaced in the event of residential redevelopment; and
WHEREAS: First-floor retail enhances neighborhood walkability, supports local entrepreneurship, and provide convenient services to residents; and
WHEREAS: These types of uses are currently not allowed by right in residential zoning districts, even though they are widely supported by residents; and
WHEREAS: The following businesses would be affected by this limitation and could benefit from zoning clarity and protection: Black Sheep Market; Surya Veg N Dosa Company; Alive and Kicking Lobsters; Amelia’s Trattoria; Andala Asaro Bakery; Basta Pasta; Cambridge Italian Pizzeria; Circus Cooperative Cafe; Columbia Market; Gypsy Place Coffee and Juice; Kantipor Cafe; Luxor Cafe; Oleana; Paddy’s Lunch; Pearl St. Laundry; Planet Records; Skenderian Apothecary; Western Market; AJ Spears Funeral Home; Desfina; European Country Antiques; Pollo2Go; Izzy’s; Great Eastern Trading Co.; and Second Street Cafe, among others; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department (CDD) to draft and propose the zoning language necessary to codify first-floor retail by right in residential districts, thereby protecting this charming neighborhood characteristic and ensuring the continued operation of valued local businesses.