Attend Cambridge meetings from Dec. 12-18: Open space; what it’s like in an affordable unit
Public meetings this week look at open space plans and programming, the affordable-unit experience in market-rate buildings, unarmed public safety agencies, final Alewife zoning proposals, plans for Cambridge Street and more.
Attend Somerville meetings from Nov. 28-Dec. 4: Plans for the Broadway Star Market after 15 years
Public meetings this week look at traffic calming, short-term rentals, access to recreation programs and a revised proposal for the long-vacant Broadway Star Market.
Attend meetings on new board member stipends, child’s emotional-support hens and much more
Public meetings this week look at introducing some board member stipends, enacting the choice of zero-space parking minimums, Rindge School of Technical Arts improvements and whether an 8-year-old gets to keep his emotional support chickens.
The future of Cambridge Street could be taller: Presentation sees buildings of up to six stories
More residential and commercial density, expanded bike lanes and improved outdoor spaces are being recommended for Cambridge Street in city staff presentations.
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.
