[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.cambridgeday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Multifamily-Zoning.pdf” title=”Multifamily Zoning”]
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A clarification re. the title of this event. The issue here are not really “multifamily zoning.” We all agree with multifamily zoning citywide. And indeed, in Sept 2021 members of the Cambridge Citizens Coalition introduced the “Advancing Housing Affordability” zoning petition (also known as the Donovan Petition) that would have allowed multifamily housing citywide (in all districts). In 2024, the Ronayne petition was submitted. In short, we had two citizen petitions to do this. Several months after our petition, on January 4, 2022, CDD presented a plan to the Planning Board to this end, with a Form-Based model. Read: HERE.
The concerns that many have with the upzong proposal include factors of design oversight and legal recourse plus its furthering of gentrification and bringing housing costs and property values up even higher. There are also serious social environmental with the demolition of existing homes (triple-deckers and others) and the replacement of them luxury single family homes and duplexes. A Dec. 24, 2024 Urban Studies report on NYC confirms how up-zoning has promoted gentrification HERE
This up-zoning petition clearly does not comport with the Envision Plan. Nothing in the current zoning language prevents the demolition of existing homes (including triple-deckers) to create larger single-family homes, nor is there anything in the zoning petition to safeguard residences with solar panels.
Perhaps it is not too late to include someone from the Cambridge Housing Justice Coalition, CRESA, CARE, NAACP or another group looking at this up-zoning wholistically as one of the featured speakers.
This event says nothing about CCC not supporting multifamily zoning. If it really is true that “We all agree with multifamily zoning citywide” why do you find even this conversation objectionable?
I’m looking for more conversation about this topic because I don’t feel some of the concerns have been addressed. I too, think design review is important if you are expanding new taller buildings into established neighborhoods. There are a great many places that can accommodate particular structures but they don’t lie evenly across the city neatly or evenly.
The first adage of an architect and architecture is “first do no harm”, much like physicians.
perhaps the conversation is objectionable because of one of the prominent speakers is also a founder of A BETTER CAMBRIDGE, the grand champion of this ordinance. But what bothers me more is the refrain using A Better Cambridge Day as a blending of a once objective news outlet, what now seems to becoming a mouth piece for a particular political group. I personally don’t find that very objective but we will see at the panel discussion. Let hope that NUANCE in plans is included and considered in the dialogue. thank you.