Development Review
Buildings or development projects sometimes need public review because of requirements in the Zoning Ordinance. There are different types of review. Use the links below to find development proposals that are in one of these review processes.
Development Review Meetings:
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Type of Review
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What it Means
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Planning Board Special Permit
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Developments that need a special permit from the Planning Board are usually larger buildings or developments on multiple sites that are built over a long period of time. These cases are reviewed at Planning Board Meetings, which are administered by CDD staff. Cases involve a public hearing, where people can make comments before the Planning Board makes a decision.
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Planning Board Advisory Consultation
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Some proposals need to be reviewed by the Planning Board for non-binding design input, but do not need a special permit. Usually this is for medium-sized residential buildings. These cases are reviewed at Planning Board Meetings, which are administered by CDD staff. People can also make comments at these meetings.
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Pre-Application Community Engagement
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If a proposal needs to come to the Planning Board (see above), the developer will first need to hold community engagement meetings to provide information and get feedback. These meetings are organized by the developer, not Community Development Department (CDD).
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Public Advisory Consultation
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If a proposal is in an “Area of Special Planning Concern,” where the City has created plans and guidelines (such as North Massachusetts Ave., Alewife, and Memorial Drive), a new building might need to be reviewed at a public meeting hosted by CDD to get non-binding input.
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Harvard Square and Central Square Advisory Committees
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In Harvard Square and Central Square, the Public Advisory Consultation is done by a standing committee of community members which meets regularly. These committees also provide input on applications for special permits and variances. They are staffed by CDD.
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Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO)
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There is a separate set of rules in zoning that apply to housing developments where all units are permanently affordable to below-median income households. The process is similar to Pre-Application Community Engagement.
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Residential Neighbor Notification
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In Residence C-1 districts, which include most residential neighborhoods, buildings that are at least 4 stories tall need to notify neighbors and have a meeting to get non-binding input before they can get a building permit. These meetings are organized by the builder, not CDD.
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Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA)
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If a building or development proposal does not meet zoning requirements, it can seek a variance from those requirements. The rules and procedures for a variance are in Massachusetts state law. Only the BZA can grant variances. The BZA also grants some types of special permits under zoning. BZA cases involve a public hearing where people can make comments. The BZA is administered by the Inspectional Services Department.
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Proposed Zoning Amendments
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Sometimes a development proposal includes a proposal to amend the Zoning Ordinance. This is not a permit process; it is a request to the City Council to change the rules for what is allowed. Only the City Council can change the zoning, but the Planning Board (and City Council) must hold a public hearing before any changes can be made. If zoning is changed, a proposal might still need to follow one of the review processes above before it can get permits.
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Other Non-Zoning Review
Developments might need review under other requirements that are not part of zoning. Go to the links below for information about different processes.
Related Links
For More Information
Contact cddzoning@cambridgema.gov.