It was noteworthy that in their presentations on the Multifamily Housing Zoning Update City Council on June 25, the senior city administrators said “… be more honest … ” several times.
Throughout their presentation, there was clear concern expressed about the tree canopy, environmental issues, open space and so on, but no reference or consideration placed on the history and character of our neighborhoods. Walking around many parts of Cambridge is like walking around a movie set. The beauty, the character and the history represents our heritage and to not consider is no different than ignoring history and tradition by impetuously tearing down the East Wing of the White House to build a new ballroom!
I remember recent council meetings when counselors were concerned about the potential loss of a handful of parking spaces on Garden Street. Yet this presentation – almost 50 pages long – had no reference to parking until a single sub point near the end!
Why not make outside parking spaces a requirement for buildings larger than four or six units? That requirement would make the developer build on lot sizes that can support a multi unit building four to six stories high. It reduces their profit but makes them consider the impact of their development on the entire neighborhood.
We know that Cambridge needs more — and more affordable — housing, but the issue is how to achieve this goal without destroying neighborhoods, hurting the environment and green space and turning every street into a carbon copy of cheaply built multi-family buildings?
On behalf of all the residents who have spent decades of their lives as good neighbors in this city of amazing talent, resources, services and compassion, I implore Council to put stronger constraints and guardrails on these developments before it’s too late.
Jeffrey Singer / Buckingham Street, Cambridge
A stronger
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