Cambridge InsideOut - November 19, 2024
Possible Topics:
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1) Election Day Fallout
How to blow through a billion+ dollars and still ask for more
Peace & harmony or civil war
Reevaluation of priorities for Democrats
Sanctuary cities, decreased federal funding, changes in eligibility for public housing, etc.
2) Post-Apocalyptic Gathering - Nov 18, 2024 City Council meeting
Resident Satisfaction Survey - what it says and doesn’t say
Advisory Committee Appointments - room for improvement
Regional transportation projects … and some forgotten projects
Jobs Training Trust; Linkage fees; Nexus studies
3) The Eve of Derangement - Nov 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting
4) Boards & Commissions - seeking volunteers
5) We Could Use A Good Rain Dance Around Now
6) Ongoing Meetings – Proposed Zoning for Multifamily Housing Citywide
Note: The proposed changes to allow multi-family housing in all residential zones is NOT the most substantial part nor the most controversial aspect of the currently proposed zoning changes. It is the proposal to allow much taller and much denser apartment buildings in all residential zones as of right with reduced setback requirements. The proposed increases would eliminate the existing Res A and Res B zones and make all residential zones taller and denser than the current Res C-1 zoning - citywide. There is much concern that this will lead to many teardowns of existing residential buildings (and the loss of what some euphemistically call “naturally affordable housing”). It also seems likely that the proposal will affect the currently rigged advantage for AHO (Affordable Housing Overlay) projects – which will then likely lead the City Council to write yet another AHO iteration (AHO 3.0) to give even greater allowances in height and density for AHO projects.
7) Oct 31 Economic Development and University Relations Committee meeting
- Economics of Real Estate: Housing, Zoning, and the Economic Impact of Zoning Proposals
- The Politics of Projections and Goals: Where do the numbers come from?
8) Central Square Zoning and the Central Square Lots Study
9) Charter Revision and process
10) Catching Up on the Cambridge News
11) Problematic
12) Civic Calendar
We’ll have to wait to see what the fallout will be of a changing federal picture on left-leaning “sanctuary cities” like Cambridge. I can easily imagine changes in both funding and eligibility for public housing and perhaps some economic repercussions for life sciences and pharmaceutical companies that dominate Kendall Square. Will there be efforts to replace lost federal money by jacking up local property taxes? It’s all just a big guessing game right now. I don’t believe we will be receiving too many federal favors for the next several years.
Here are the items that drew my local attention this week:
Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the findings of the 2024 Cambridge Resident Satisfaction Survey. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Yi-An Huang, Lee Gianetti, survey rep., Zusy, Azeem, Toner, Wilson, McGovern; Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the City Manager’s LGBTQ+ Friendly Housing Task Force Final Report. [text of report]
pulled by Simmons; comments by Simmons, Maura Pensak, Carolina Almonte, Phoebe West, McGovern, Zusy; Placed on File, Referred to Civic Unity Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of members to the Cambridge Street Safety Improvement Project Working Group.
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Brooke McKenna (TPT), Toner (asks if there will be a similar group for Broadway - yes), Wilson; Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Erik Sarno and Andrea Taylor and the reappointment of Saffana Anwar, Christopher Fort, Robert Winters, Tahir Kapoor, and Esther Hanig to the Central Square Advisory Committee for a term of three years.
pulled by Zusy; comments by Simmons, Yi-An Huang (on update to add RW), Zusy (notes only 9 applicants for 7 positions on CSAC; for HSAC only 12 applicants for 11 positions - suggests advertising more broadly), Iram Farooq (notes how prescriptive categories are for CSAC and HSAC, mechanism for applying for all open boards and commissions); Zusy asks if a broad range of perspectives is sought; Appointments Approved as Amended, Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of Gareth Dohety, Ivy Moylan, Henry Grabar, Chad Bonney, and Ryan Clinesmith Montalvo and the reappointments of Matthew Simitis, Kari Kuelzer, John DiGiovanni, Nicola Williams, Alexandra Offiong, and Allison Crosbie to the Harvard Square Advisory Committee for a term of three years.
Appointments Approved, Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-36, regarding coordinated and timely communication related to interjurisdictional transportation projects. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan (bus shelters, green roofs, shade, Alewife maintenance tunnel, Asbestos Ordinance; Iram Farooq, Owen O’Riordan, City Solicitor Megan Bayer (noting that state/MBTA not subject to City’s ordinance), Nolan (Draw One Bridge), Farooq (state not currently planning to add bike/ped connection to bridge); Nolan (bridge over Fitchburg commuter rail and addition of station in Alewife area), Farooq (reconstruction of Alewife garage may have possibility of commuter rail station); Zusy (I-90 project coordination, impact of construction on traffic, Eversource projects, asbestos concerns at Alewife, Draw One Bridge, need for commuter rail station at Alewife and bridge); Sobrinho-Wheeler (start date for Memorial Drive reconstruction, Riverbend Park impacts), Owen O’Riordan; Zusy on plans for Transportation Committee; Referred to Transportation Committee 9-0
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a draft home rule petition to authorize the City of Cambridge to implement automated parking enforcement technology; and to continue to work with the City of Boston to collaborate on the home rule process. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan on special status of Boston and Cambridge that necessitates a home rule petition, notes that this would be cost-neutral; Siddiqui added as sponsor 9-0; Wilson asks why Boston, Cambridge are exceptions; Megan Bayer explains; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Order #2. Resolution in Support of H.823 and S.551, Paint Stewardship and Recycling. Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0
Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a Home Rule Petition to enact legislation which would allow the City of Cambridge to prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system. [Charter Right – Nolan, Nov 4, 2024]
Nolan notes why home rule petition may be needed; Megan Bayer explains why state law on this matter is insufficient; Toner asks about enforcement; Bayer suggests that this could be done as either a zoning amendment or a municipal ordinance; McGovern suggests sending this to a committee for larger discussion; Zusy seeks clarification of intention, Nolan explains, Zusy notes how things could get “messy” with condo associations; Referred to Health & Environment Committee 9-0
Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to draft a home rule petition for the creation of a Cambridge Jobs Training Trust, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Toner, Nov 4, 2024]
Sobrinho-Wheeler explains at authorization doesn’t obligate Council to implement, no need to send to Ordinance Committee; Amendment to strike “to be sent to the Ordinance Committee for a hearing” Adopted 9-0; Toner proposes sending to Economic Development Committee for further discussion (on 11 questions) and how this relates to how things are done now; comments by Yi-An Huang expresses concerns about raising linkage fees now, Ellen Semonoff, Toner asks whether setting up a Jobs Trust bank account would create obligation to fund it; Yi-An Huang notes last increase in Linkage Fee was from $22 to $33 based on 2019 Nexus Study, next Nexus Study to start in 2025, notes that Council will have to decide how Linkage Fee is to be allocated; Toner proposes referring to Economic Development Committee; Zusy notes inadequate options for CRLS students; McGovern has questions on how this would be implemented - wants to preserve all affordable housing allocation and increase Linkage Fee to add allocation for jobs training, floats raising fee to $45; Sobrinho-Wheeler proposes amendment to have an Econ. Dev. meeting in addition to filing home rule petition promptly; McGovern notes RSTA initiatives; Siddiqui OK with further conversation in committee; Wilson, Zusy, Nolan, McGovern comments; Adopted Order as Amended 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)
Committee Report #1. The Housing Committee held a public hearing on Apr 30, 2024 to discuss the feasibility of municipally funded housing vouchers as referenced in PO24#24. The meeting was recessed and reconvened on Oct 15, 2024 to continue the discussion. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)
Committee Report #2. The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on Oct 23, 2024 to discuss issues facing homeless shelters in Cambridge and concerns raised by the unhoused community. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)
Committee Report #3. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 23, 2024 to hear specific ideas from neighborhood leaders about revisions to the Multifamily Housing Proposal. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)
Committee Report #4. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 24, 2024 to discuss research on four-day work week pilot programs with businesses, government agencies, and non-profits and models for a four-day work week that have been implemented locally. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)
Committee Report #5. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 31, 2024 to discuss the Economics of Real Estate: Housing, Zoning, and the Economic Impact of Zoning. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)
The night before a national election often feels strange – when our local government meets to talk about things like hazardous waste collection, speed bumps, and bikes lanes while on the national stage many people are in crisis mode imagining civil war breaking out if the candidate they hate gets elected as President. It often brings to mind the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” So let’s fix those potholes and catch up on those old SeeClickFix requests while much of the country readies for derangement. “Don’t follow leaders, watch the parking meters.”
I have of late been thinking a lot about what the word “democracy” actually means – a way of governing which depends on the will of the people. What exactly does that mean then “the people” are almost evenly divided between highly divergent viewpoints? Does this mean that 50.1% should translate into imposing policies that are abhorrent to 49.9% of the people or that an Electoral College win should be viewed as a mandate to run roughshod over the interests of the losing party? Extreme partisanship is a deranged view of democracy. If the country (or the city, for that matter) is nearly evenly divided on an issue, the better democratic option is to find whatever common ground there is and to work out compromises that a clear majority can accept and maybe even embrace. It should never be about “winner take all”. The American System is in some ways inferior to parliamentary systems where coalition governments have to be formed when there is no clear majority. Even Cambridge’s system of proportional representation raises the essential question: “Proportional to what?”
A good friend of mine once wrote an essay about our local Cambridge political factions in the 1980s and 1990s when rent control was THE defining local issue. The notable quote about those factions was simply: “They both benefit from the existence of a problem.” In other words, finding actual compromise solutions would dilute their political clout – even if it would be in everyone’s best interest to solve the existing problems. Partisanship continued to be rewarded right up to the point when Question 9 caused the entire political house of cards to come tumbling down.
Call me naive, if you wish, but I still believe that the great majority of Americans share far more in common than the political partisans would have you believe. So bring on the protests while the rest of us are just taking care of our everyday lives. - RW
Meanwhile, back in The Peoples Republic, here are a few notable agenda items for this eve of derangement:
Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-56, regarding a request to consider scheduling a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day and a Paper Shredding Event on a Sunday, instead of having them all on Saturday. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-59, regarding the feasibility of speed control bumps on Antrim Street. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Brooke McKenna (TPT), Simmons, City Manager Yi-An Huang, Toner, Siddiqui, Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan; Placed on File 9-0
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a Home Rule Petition to enact legislation which would allow the City of Cambridge to prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Toner; Charter Right - Nolan
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to prominently incorporate recognition of the Massachusett Tribe during key official events, documents, websites, and communications, establish a living memorial in Cambridge that honors the Massachusett Tribe, with special recognition of Sqa Sachem for her leadership and enduring legacy and place a plaque with this language in a prominent location within City Hall, ensuring that this acknowledgment remains visible and lasting. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Simmons (to amend to add Wilson, Toner 9-0); comments by Simmons, Zusy (who proposed deleting references to Sqa Sachem), McGovern, Nolan, Simmons, Wilson, Zusy, Simmons, Siddiqui; Zusy amendment Fails 1-8 (Zusy-Yes); Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Zusy-Present)
Note: Sqa Sachem is referenced in various sources, in particular Lucius Paige’s History of Cambridge (1877), Chapter XX, Indian History. Lucius Paige was both the Town Clerk and (after 1846) the City Clerk of Cambridge.
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to draft a home rule petition for the creation of a Cambridge Jobs Training Trust, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [support letter] Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Toner; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler (with proposed amendment); Charter Right - Toner
Order #4. The City Manager is requested to work with the Department of Public Works (DPW) on the expansion of the mattress and box spring recycling program to include residents living in multi-unit residential buildings, starting with affordable housing properties that charge a fee to their residents. Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0
Resolution #10. Congratulations to Robin Harris on being awarded the 2022 National Humanities Medal by President Joe Biden. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui
Comments by Toner, Nolan, Simmons
Resolution #16. Condolences on the death of Alan Steinert, Jr. Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan to be added as sponsor
Resolution #19. Honoring Cambridge Veterans and Recognizing Veterans Day. Councillor Wilson, Vice Mayor McGovern
Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Apr 29, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the Broad Canal Zoning Petition. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee conducted a public hearing on June 10, 2021 to discuss the Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee met on July 26, 2021 to continue discussion on two proposals to regulate campaign donations. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee met on July 28, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on an amendment to Article 22 of the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance “Emissions Accounting” (Ord#2021-13). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #5. The Ordinance Committee met on Sept 29, 2021 to discuss the Neighborhood Conservation District citizen’s petition. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #6. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 16, 2019 at 2pm on Taxicab use of E-Hail in the Sullivan Chamber. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #7. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 23, 2019 at 5pm to discuss the Zoning petition to create an Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay District. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #8. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 10, 2024 to discuss preliminary recommendations from the Central Square rezoning process. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #9. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Oct 15, 2024 which was recessed and reconvened on Oct 29, 2024, regarding a Zoning Petition by the City of Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 2.000 and 8.000 with the intent to add a definition of “dormer” to Article 2.000 and to amend the requirements related to adding dormers to nonconforming one- and two-family dwellings in Section 8.22.1.h.2 in order to allow certain dormer(s) construction as-of-right. The Ordinance Committee voted favorably to forward the Board of Zoning Appeal’s amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance to add a definition of dormer to Article 2.000 and to amend the requirements related to adding dormers to non-conforming one- and two-family dwellings in Section 8.22.1.h.2, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation and that it be passed to a second reading. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #10. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on Oct 22, 2024 to review and discuss the updates to the Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Here’s what the Cambridge Reservoir (Hobbs Brook Basin, Winter Street) looked like in July 2021:
Here’s what it looks like now (Nov 12, 2024):
Thanksgiving Fire Safety (Nov 18, 2024)
Renew Residential Parking Permits Online Starting December 1, 2024 (Nov 18, 2024)
Members Sought for Three Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Commissions (Nov 18, 2024)
Mutual Aid Response to the 9-alarm Fire in Chelsea (Nov 18, 2024)
MBTA Purple Line - Commuter Rail Training Exercise (Nov 18, 2024)
Engine 5 Celebrates 150 Years of Service (Nov 18, 2024)
Members Sought for Cambridge Historical Commission (Nov 15, 2024)
Hazardous Materials Response to Portland Street (Nov 15, 2024)
Members Sought for Cambridge Planning Board (Nov 14, 2024)
Latest Community Safety Department Updates (Nov 14, 2024)
November Commuter and Traffic Impacts Due to MBTA Red Line Closures (Nov 14, 2024)
New Traffic Signal Installed at Mt Auburn Street and Sparks Street (Nov 14, 2024)
Cambridge Water Department Proactively Works to Eliminate Lead Service Lines (Nov 13, 2024)
Cambridge Police Department Launches a Co-Response Team (Nov 13, 2024)
Cambridge Arts Holiday Art Market: Dec 7 and 8 (Nov 13, 2024)
Cambridge Debuts First Electric Trash Collection Truck, Advancing City’s Goal of Zero-Emission Fleet (Nov 12, 2024)
New Bicycle Facilities Layer (Nov 12, 2024)
CPD’s Secret Santa for Seniors Gift Drive is Back for Its 18th Year (Nov 12, 2024)
Open Burning is Always Prohibited in Cambridge (Nov 12, 2024)
New Development Log Available - 2024 Q3 (Nov 8, 2024)
Police Commissioner Returns to Her Elementary School to Help Students with Veterans Day Project (Nov 8, 2024)
2024 Post-Election Audit (Nov 8, 2024)
City of Cambridge and Bay Cove Human Services Unveil New Outreach Van to Support Unhoused Residents (Nov 8, 2024)
Commonwealth Elevates Northeast Region, Which Includes Cambridge, to Level 3- Critical Drought Status (Nov 8, 2024)
Kendall Square Construction Projects (Nov 7, 2024)
Importance of Water Conservation During Drought Periods (Nov 7, 2024)
Members Sought for Cambridge Public Art Commission (Nov 6, 2024)
Council on Aging’s Veterans and Friends Support Group Provides Connection, Camaraderie Year-Round (Nov 6, 2024)
GIS Data Download Updates (Nov 5, 2024)
Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang Seeks Members for Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA) (Nov 5, 2024)
Cambridge Police Department Hosts its 10th Trauma-Informed Training (Nov 5, 2024)
Current Board Vacancies: Board of Zoning Appeal and Cambridge Kiosk Advisory Committee (Nov 5, 2024)
CPD Particpates in Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Campaign to Enhance Ongoing Traffic Safety Education and Enforcement (Nov 5, 2024)
Supporting Veterans through PGA Hope Cambridge (Nov 5, 2024)
November 5, 2024 State Presidential Unofficial Results (Nov 5, 2024)
Unofficial Results (PDF)
Adults Age 65 and Older Can Enroll in Medicare through December 7 (Nov 5, 2024)
Fire House Open House - Halloween 2024 (Nov 4, 2024)
Cambridge Senior Center Celebrates 29th Anniversary (Nov 1, 2024)
Historic Harvard Square Kiosk Set to Be Transformed Into Community Space and Information Center (Oct 31, 2024)
Help Decide How The Arts Get Funded In Cambridge (Oct 30, 2024)
Road Closures for the 2024 Cambridge Half Marathon + 5K on Sunday, November 3 (Oct 30, 2024)
Members Sought to Serve on Cambridge Kiosk Advisory Committee (Oct 30, 2024)
DPW Announces Draft Strategies from updated Zero Waste Master Plan (Oct 29, 2024)
Shop Locally This Holiday Season (Oct 29, 2024)
Nov 6 Pathway for Immigrant Workers Clinic (Oct 29, 2024)
With Respiratory Virus Season Approaching, Now is the Time to Get Vaccinated (Oct 28, 2024)
Cambridge Police Swear-In New Officers on October 28, 2024 (Oct 28, 2024)
From English Classes to a College Degree: One CLC Student’s Journey to Higher Education (Oct 28, 2024)
Smoke in the Area last evening and this morning, October 28th (Oct 28, 2024)
Veterans Day Observance Event 11-11-24 (Oct 28, 2024)
Volunteer Attorneys Needed for Cambridge Immigration Legal Screening Clinic (Oct 24, 2024
Mass Ave Planning Study Community Meeting - Ideas for North Mass Ave (Oct 24, 2024)
We will be hosting an in-person community open house about ideas for North Mass Ave! Join us on November 14, 6pm-8pm at Lesley University Hall in Porter Square
Visit your Neighborhood Fire House, Thursday, October 31st, 4-6 pm (Oct 24, 2024)
Enjoy and Make it a Safe Halloween (Oct 24, 2024)
City of Cambridge Halloween Events and Important Safety Tips (Oct 23, 2024)
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Saturday, November 2nd (Oct 23, 2024)
The last of four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days in 2024 will be on Saturday, November 2, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at 51 Mooney Street. Please enter the event via Fawcett St. This event is for Cambridge residents only.
Cambridge Police Department Halloween Safety Reminders (Oct 23, 2024)
Main St Kendall Square Separated Bike Lane Installation to Begin This Week (Oct 22, 2024)
City of Cambridge Closures and Service Information for Veterans Day Holiday Monday, November 11 (Oct 21, 2024)
New Cambridge Interactive GIS Tool: AxisGIS (Oct 21, 2024)
Upcoming Paving Work on Cycling Safety Ordinance Streets (Oct 21, 2024)
Early Voting Underway for 2024 State/Presidential Election (Oct 19, 2024)
Cambridge Police Department Promotes Seven Members to Lieutenants and Sergeants (Oct 18, 2024)
City of Cambridge to Construct First Standalone Fire Training Facility (Oct 17, 2024)
Mass. State Building Code 10th Edition Became Effective on 10-11-24 (Oct 16, 2024)
Mass Ave Planning Study Working Group Meeting - Intro to Zoning and a Focus on Porter Square (Oct 16, 2024)
Intro to Zoning and a Focus on Porter Square - October 30, 6pm-8pm
Designated Historic Landmarks Map (Oct 16, 2024)
Advance Removal and Depositing of Ballots for the State/Presidential Election, November 5, 2024 (Oct 15, 2024)
Post Processing of Ballots for the State/Presidential Election, November 5, 2024 (Oct 15, 2024)
Citywide Multifamily Housing Proposal Information Sessions (Oct 15, 2024)
Thurs, Oct 24, 5:30-7:30pm (Virtual); Tues, Oct 29, 5:30-7:30pm Open House (Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave.)
November 5, 2024 Presidential Election Voting Options (Oct 11, 2024)
Central Square Rezoning Block Party (Oct 11, 2024)
The Central Square Rezoning team is concluding the community engagement phase for the project with a BLOCK PARTY on Saturday, October 19th from 1-5pm on Norfolk St between Mass. Ave. and Bishop Allen Drive
STEAM It Up! Family Event on Thursday, October 24 (Oct 11, 2024)
Fall Foliage Map (Oct 10, 2024)
Cambridge Man Arrested With Ghost Gun, Firearm and Drugs (Oct 10, 2024)
Cambridge Police Department Participates in Domestic Violence Awareness Month Vigil (Oct 10, 2024)
USS Salem Technical Rescue Exercise at Quincy Shipyard (Oct 10, 2024)
Current Board Vacancies: Transit Advisory Committee (Oct 8, 2024)
Registration Open for Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics (Oct 8, 2024)
GIS Data Download Updates (Oct 8, 2024)
Greater Cambridge Energy Program Open House (Oct 8, 2024)
Exhibit: Beloved Apple Tree Reborn Via Public Art Project Coming To Cambridge School (Oct 7, 2024)
Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12, 2024. This Year’s theme is Smoke Alarms: Make them Work for You (Oct 7, 2024)
Register for 2024 Cambridge Pride Basketball Tryouts! (Oct 7, 2024)
New Lease Rent Relief Grant Application Re-Opens for Cambridge Small Businesses (Oct 7, 2024)
Attend the “Keep It Local” Job Fair on October 24! (Oct 7, 2024)
MassDOT Advisory: Cambridge Somerville Sidewalk Closures Along Route 28 (McGrath Highway) (Oct 3, 2024)
Small Business Financial Education Program (Oct 3, 2024)
City of Cambridge Closures and Service Information for Indigenous Peoples’ Day Holiday Monday, October 14 (Oct 2, 2024)
Applications Now Being Accepted for Cambridge Preschool Program 2025-2026 School Year (Oct 1, 2024)
Get Help with Winter Heating Bills: Apply to the Fuel Assistance Program (Oct 1, 2024)
Cambridge Community Invited to Annual Vigil Honoring Survivors of Domestic Violence (Oct 1, 2024)
Be Part Of Cambridge Arts’ Holiday Art Market (Oct 1, 2024)
Engine 2’s new pump has been placed in service at the Lafayette Square Fire House (Oct 1, 2024)
Carl Barron Achievement Awards (Oct 1, 2024)
Parking and Traffic Impacts October 5-6 (Oct 1, 2024)
Kendall Square Construction Projects (Oct 1, 2024)
CPD’s Harvard Square-Central Square Unit Builds Relationships as Part of Its Approach (Oct 1, 2024)
Problematic - Graffiti Alley
2:00pm The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on Multi Family Zoning Petition – Part 1 and Multi Family Zoning Petition – Part 2. This meeting will consist of staff presentation, Councillor questions, and discussion only. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
6:30pm Planning Board Meeting (Remote via Zoom)
General Business
Update from the Community Development Department
Public Hearings
6:30pm Multifamily Housing (continued from 11/12/2024)
Two Zoning Petitions by Cambridge City Council. (Materials)
The first Petition (Multifamily Housing Zoning Petition Part One) would amend the Cambridge Zoning Map and Ordinance in Articles 2.000, 3.000, 4.000, 5.000, 6.000, 7.000, 8.000, 10.000, 11.000, 13.000, 14.000, 16.000, 17.000, 20.000, and 21.000 with the intent of:
(1) removing zoning districts that are intended to permit single-family or two-family but not multifamily residences;
(2) permitting multifamily and townhouse residences as-of-right in all zoning districts except Open Space and removing special requirements applicable to multifamily and townhouse residences;
(3) removing dimensional requirements including minimum lot width and area and minimum lot area per dwelling unit, removing floor area ratio (FAR) limitations for residences, reducing minimum yard requirements for residences, and increasing height limitations for residences to permit at least six stories above grade in all districts except Open Space to allow for additional housing units beyond what is permitted under current zoning;
(4) removing remaining references to minimum parking requirements; and
(5) revising other parts of the Zoning Ordinance for internal consistency.
The second petition (Multifamily Housing Zoning Petition Part Two) would amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 5.000, 11.000, 15.000, 17.000, 19.000, and 20.000 with the intent of:
(1) revising open space standards to provide greater flexibility by allowing all types of open space to contribute to meeting requirements;
(2) revising certain standards of the Affordable Housing Overlay so they are not more restrictive than comparable standards for residences in base zoning;
(3) making project review special permit requirements applicable in all zoning districts and applicable to residential development of 75,000 square feet or more;
(4) updating advisory development review procedures and introducing a new Planning Board Advisory Consultation for some larger development not subject to a special permit, similar to what is currently required in the Affordable Housing Overlay; and
(5) revising other parts of the Zoning Ordinance for internal consistency.
Board of Zoning Appeal Cases
BZA-1139918 (scheduled to be heard by BZA on 11/21/2024)
1350 Massachusetts Avenue - Special Permit for Verizon Wireless to replace 2 antennas and hardware with new equipment. Art. 4.000, Sec. 4.32.G.1 & Sec. 4.40 (Footnote 49) (Telecommunication Facility). Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.40 (Special Permit). 6409 (Middle Class Tax Relief Act). (Materials)
BZA-1140206 (scheduled to be heard by BZA on 11/21/2024) 1350 Massachusetts Avenue - Special Permit for Centerline to replacing 2 antennas with 2 new antennas as well as replacing 6 remote radio heads with 10 remote radio heads in addition to replacing certain equipment in the existing rooftop equipment shelter. Art. 4.000, Sec. 4.32.G.1 & Sec. 4.40 (Footnote 49) (Telecommunication Facility). Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.40 (Special Permit). 6409 (Middle Class Tax Relief Act). (Materials)
1:00pm The City Council’s Finance Committee will hold a public hearing to review and discuss the Operating Budget in advance of the FY26 budget season. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
3:00pm The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on a Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 2.000, 4.000, and 6.000 with the intent to add a definition of “Flexible Parking Corridor” to Article 2.000, add footnotes 64 and 65 to Section 4.30 Table of Use Regulations, and add Section 6.25 Flexible Parking Corridor Regulations which would allow existing off-street parking facilities and vacant lots to have less restrictive zoning limitations in order to serve parking needs in areas with limited on-street parking and would allow parking facilities on municipally owned lots to be used for automobile parking as a principal use. This public hearing is also to discuss amendments to the Parking and Transportation Demand Management Ordinance, and the Commercial Parking Space Permits Ordinance. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
3:00pm The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss amendments to the Cycling Safety Ordinance (CSO), as amended in full Council on Oct 21, 2024. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
2:30pm The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on Multi Family Zoning Petition – Part 1 and Multi Family Zoning Petition – Part 2, which will be a follow-up meeting from the Nov 19, 2024 hearing, and will begin with public comment followed by Council discussion on housing zoning proposals. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
8:00-9:30am Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting (DPW, 147 Hampshire St., or via Zoom)
Minutes of Past Meetings
3:00pm The City Council’s Finance Committee will hold a public hearing for an update and discussion on Public Investment Planning. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30pm The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on Multi-Family Zoning Petition – Part 1 and Multi-Family Zoning Petition – Part 2. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)