Description
A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL
THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
JANUARY 8, 2025 @ 5:00 PM
Sullivan Chamber
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2022 adopted by Massachusetts General Assembly and approved by the Governor, this meeting will be hybrid allowing participation in the Sullivan Chamber and remotely via ZOOM at https://cambridgema.zoom.us/s/97895847144.
The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on two Multifamily Zoning Petitions on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be public comment at this meeting. This is a continuation of the public hearing that began on November 19, 2024, that reconvened and recessed again on December 4, 2024 and December 19, 2024. One additional meeting has been scheduled for January 16, 2025.
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.
The meeting can be viewed on the City’s Open Meeting Portal at OPEN MEETING PORTAL. Cambridge residents may also view on Channel 22-City View Local Access.
City of Cambridge does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The City Council will provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to persons with disabilities upon request. Contact the Office of the City Clerk, 617-349-4260, tty/TDD 617-349-4242.