In quest to build multifamily housing citywide, there’s still debate on the scope of study needed
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.
Checking success of Affordable Housing Overlay, councillors wonder at walkaways and rejections
The first report on the effects of the Affordable Housing Overlay raised many questions, but councillors decided to keep wondering until they could hold a comprehensive hearing.
Attend meetings on acting city manager term, remaking CHA-owned housing at 116 Norfolk
Public meetings this week look at pinning down a contract for the acting city manager, Owen O’Riordan, and the reconfiguration of a Cambridge Housing Authority building in The Port into 62 studio apartments from 37 single-room-occupancy units.
Attend meetings on tenant rights, climate crisis and cutting the ribbon at the Foundry building
Public meetings and gathersings this week include a ribbon-cutting at the $46 million Foundry community building, a tenants-rights forum sponsored by A Better Cambridge, Brattle Street safety improvements, a school district nondiscrimination policy, the restaurant replacing Loyal Nine in East Cambridge, and much more.
Heard at the hearings: Parking revenue problems and budget clarity that might look like a mistake
In some more tidbits from budget hearings, we learned that even the most understandable budget ever still has some work to do in terms of clarity; that despite surging public records requests, the Law Department needs no more technology to help; and that parking revenue and the raising of annual parking permit fees can be sensitive subjects.
Heard at the hearings: Police want body cameras, broadband hire is under the manager, and more
In some tidbits from budget hearings, we learned that a municipal broadband hire is listed as being in the City Manager’s Office; our housing liaison could evolve into an Office of Housing Stability; police body cameras have wide support; and Cambridge ranks high on cybersecurity … according to the people responsible for Cambridge’s cybersecurity.
Despite bristles over a request for no conditions, and design issues, Kendall tower wins approval
Though there are design details to be worked out, Cambridge’s next tallest building – a 38-story residential tower proposed for 135 Broadway, Kendall Square – won general approval from the Planning Board and Cambridge Redevelopment Authority last week.
Cambridge must lead on MBTA Communities law by creating a citywide multifamily district overlay
Our need to comply with the MBTA Communities law requirements presents a perfect opportunity to set a fair and reasonable citywide standard, increase our MBTA-adjacent housing, and reestablish our progressive regional leadership in meeting our community’s housing needs.
Housing Authority board raises director salary, enthusiastic endorsement of Johnston tenure
The head of the Cambridge Housing Authority got a bigger salary increase than he asked for in approval of a new five-year contract. He’s led the agency through two years of pandemic, continued a sweeping renovation of the CHA portfolio of low-income housing and branched out to administer Section 8 housing programs in other communities.
Residents see second proposal for Walden Square with assurances for better security, maintenance
A revamped proposal for adding affordable apartments to North Cambridge’s Walden Square was greeted as better than the original from last year, but a litany of complaints from current tenants made the sense of progress hard to gauge.
