Cambridge Staff Propose Modest Revisions to 2025 Multi-Family Zoning, No Vote Taken

CAMBRIDGE — June 25, 2026 — Cambridge joint committee hears contentious staff pitch to refine 2025 multi-family zoning rules, recesses without a vote. At a joint meeting of the Housing Committee and Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning Committee on June 25, Assistant City Manager for Community Development Melissa Peters and Director of Zoning and Development Jeff Roberts presented four categories of proposed amendments to the ordinance adopted in February 2025: a revised "sum to" setback framework that would raise the required side-setback sum from 10 to 15 feet and the front-and-rear sum from 15 to 25 feet; a shift toward more permeable at-grade open space; a new gross floor area per unit threshold of 2,000 square feet to discourage oversized units; and clarifying language on notification and corner lots. Peters argued the city's original housing production projections "would be unchanged" because the current permissive envelope already exceeds what projects can build once stormwater and green factor requirements are applied. Thirty-eight public speakers signed up, with developers including attorney Patrick Barrett urging no changes — "you don't really understand what you've done" — and residents like Liza Oliver describing a 56-unit development slated to demolish 23 trees on a private cul-de-sac as evidence the current rules need reform. Committee members signaled broad support for setback flexibility and parking permit restrictions for new construction but asked for more explanation of how a smaller zoning envelope does not reduce total unit counts before committing to specific numbers. The meeting recessed 5-0 and 4-0 on the two committees; the discussion continues at the next scheduled joint session.