Thank You For Joining Us For Our Information Session and Open House!
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us on Thursday, October 24th for our virtual information session, and Tuesday, October 29th for our open house. We appreciate you coming to learn about the zoning proposal, and sharing your questions and comments.
Virtual Information Session
Open House
We received many questions during the meetings that we aim to respond to in an FAQ document to be posted here soon. See below for information about upcoming events related to this proposal.
Learn About the Expected Economic Impacts of the Zoning Proposal
On Thursday, October 31st the City Council Economic Development and University Relations Committee heard a presentation from City staff on the expected impacts of the Zoning Proposal on Cambridge services and the economy.
City Council and Planning Board Hearings
- Wednesday, October 23rd, 3:00PM
City Council, Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee - The Committee will hear specific ideas from neighborhood leaders about revisions to the Multifamily Housing Proposal.
Hybrid Meeting, Sullivan Chamber at Cambridge City Hall or virtual on the meeting portal
- Thursday, October 31st, 12:00PM
City Council, Economic Development and University Relations Committee - The Committee will discuss the Economics of Real Estate: Housing, Zoning, and the Economic Impact of Zoning.
Hybrid Meeting, Sullivan Chamber at Cambridge City Hall or virtual on the meeting portal
- Tuesday, November 12th, 6:30PM
Planning Board - Hearing on the Zoning for Multifamily Housing petition
This meeting will have public comment
Information about attending virtual Planning Board Meetings
View meeting (video stream only) on the meeting portal
- Tuesday, November 19th, 2:00PM
City Council, Ordinance Committee - The Committee will discuss the Multi Family Zoning Petition - Part 1 and Multi Family Zoning Petition - Part 2. This meeting will consist of staff presentation, Councilor questions, and discussion only.
Hybrid Meeting, Sullivan Chamber at Cambridge City Hall or virtual on the meeting portal
- Tuesday, November 19th, 6:30PM
Planning Board - hearing on the Zoning for Multifamily Housing petition
This meeting will have public comment
Information about attending virtual Planning Board Meetings
View meeting (video stream only) on the meeting portal
- Wednesday, December 4th, 2:30PM
City Council, Ordinance Committee - The Committee will discuss the Multi Family Zoning Petition - Part 1 and Multi Family Zoning Petition - Part 2, which will be a follow up meeting from the November 19, 2024 hearing, and will begin with public comment followed by Council discussion on housing zoning proposals.
Hybrid Meeting, Sullivan Chamber at Cambridge City Hall or virtual on the meeting portal
Information about commenting at City Council Committee Hearings
- Thursday, December 19th, 5:30PM
City Council, Ordinance Committee - The Committee will discuss the Multi Family Zoning Petition - Part 1 and Multi Family Zoning Petition - Part 2.
Hybrid Meeting, Sullivan Chamber at Cambridge City Hall or virtual on the meeting portal
November 2024
November 19: City Council, Ordinance Committee
November 12: Planning Board
October 2024
October 31: City Council, Economic Development and University Relations Committee Meeting
October 29: Open House
October 24: Information Session
August 2024
August 21: Housing Committee Meeting
June 2024
June 27: Housing Committee Meeting
May 8: Housing Committee Meeting
March 2024
In March 2024, the City Council passed Policy Order 2024 #37, which asked the Community Development Department “to work with the chairs of the Housing Committee to create zoning language that effectively promotes multifamily housing, including income-restricted affordable housing with the goal of having viable housing for everyone especially lower-income residents.”
September 2022
City Council Housing Committee on September 13, 2022.
March 2022
Planning Board on March 15, 2022.
January 2022
Planning Board on January 4, 2022.
Planning Board on January 18, 2022.
February - August 2021
In 2021, the City Council's Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee and Housing Committee held public hearings to discuss the elimination of single and two-family only zoning and restrictions on the type of housing that can be built city-wide.
The City Council and Planning Board also considered this topic in the context of two zoning petitions that were proposed by groups of Cambridge residents:
Neither of the above petitions was acted upon, but as a result of the latter petition, the City Council asked the Community Development Department to work with the Planning Board to develop concepts and principles to eliminate single family and two family only zones in the City of Cambridge. The Planning Board met in 2022 and delivered a report to the City Council, which was discussed by the Housing Committee,