Potential big changes to the city’s Affordable Housing Overlay were slowed as city councillors agreed to send them to two committees for preliminary discussion rather than to the bodies where language gets on track to be voted into law.

A three-story addition of 38 apartments to the Crimson Galeria next to Harvard Square’s historic Winthrop Park has been approved for the next steps in the process.

A gaping space in the heart of Kendall Square came closer to being filled Wednesday with a groundbreaking ceremony and party celebrating the 16-story tower to come.

A ceremonial groundbreaking doubled as a fundraising drive for Rindge Commons, a project of the nonprofit developer Just A Start that by completion in 2026 will bring 100 units of lower-income family housing to Cambridge’s Alewife area, along with an education and job-training center.

The council has been working on the 66 percent increase for more than a year, with increasingly intense debate as the current “incentive zoning” rate petition neared its expiration date next week.

More residential and commercial density, expanded bike lanes and improved outdoor spaces are being recommended for Cambridge Street in city staff presentations.

The developer who wants to demolish and replace The Middle East nightclub and restaurant complex was told Thursday by the Cambridge Historical Commission to come back with more detail.

Union 2 Associates could give Somervillians everything from a skating rink to a branch library in Union Square. But needed approvals may start with another developer.

Opinions diverge on whether the goal of building more multifamily housing is best pursued by looking where it’s not allowed, or at citywide policies slowing construction.

A community meeting will be held Sept. 29 to talk about proposed changes at the Middle East nightclub and restaurant complex in Central Square, which is expected to stay open into 2024 and return to business after redevelopment.