Description
A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL
THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
NOVEMBER 19, 2024 @ 2:00 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 Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on two Multifamily Zoning Petitions by the Cambridge City Council. This meeting will consist of a presentation from City staff, Councillor questions, and discussion only. This meeting will be recessed and reconvene on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. The meeting on December 4, 2024, will be recessed and reconvene on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. There will be public comment at the meeting on December 4, 2024, and on December 19, 2024. Further, two additional meetings are being planned.
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.
ZOOM is also being used for public comment. If you would like to provide public comment, you can use PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN UP FORM to sign up. 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.