Cambridge Neighborhood Committee Hears Calls to Limit Multifamily Zoning to Affordable Projects

CAMBRIDGE -- October 23, 2024, Cambridge neighborhoods push back on citywide multifamily housing rezoning proposal, demanding setbacks and affordability mandates. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts, and Celebrations Committee held a two-and-a-half-hour virtual listening session October 23, drawing representatives from more than a dozen neighborhood associations who broadly supported ending single-family zoning but objected to the proposed elimination of side and rear setbacks, a redefinition of open space to include rooftops and balconies, and six-story as-of-right heights outside major corridors. Richard Krushnik of the Inman Square Neighborhood Association reported that 16 of 25 surveyed members preferred a four-story citywide limit with six stories restricted to corridors and no reduction in setback or design-review requirements. Lee Ferris of the Cambridge Residence Alliance and several public commenters backed the Cambridge Housing Justice Coalition's position that new zoning should only apply to inclusionary projects exceeding 2,000 square feet. Councillor Burhan Azeem countered that every inclusionary building Cambridge has produced at 20 percent affordability has required at least six stories to pencil out economically. The proposal goes to the Planning Board on November 12 and to the Ordinance Committee on November 19.