[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6696033,"mediaKeyId","2255905-d607bf291260d04d799a881c41cb0dfb","parentId",2255905,"title","Cambridge Council ordains citywide multifamily zoning after months of debate","audioSeconds",768,"startMs",1295000,"endMs",2063000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255905-d607bf291260d04d799a881c41cb0dfb&start=1295&end=2063","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255905-d607bf291260d04d799a881c41cb0dfb/thumbnail_1295000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6696033/Cambridge-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Cambridge-Council-ordains-citywide-multifamily-zoning-after-months-of-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696033-1cfad821df6127acc1972a477fc8251a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201170&Signature=cbTs6gA472A81ECS6LC1pxnUU26iO-KKlielu4A1fyN1iPcm2jmeo6mqXn-CVdjt8dJ4RwgfeW8L~qUnTjbpMIBjMoN~NGqmV~YNF-jUHisAFCnTnQcKYvfakP7jiCvsbG7n4yg0wVAssSAzzYmbY0FV0yzSLGJsYqFOINn25iDnZolo5pAixrIZCDQSTNnNTRSv8XS6JtuDuuwTQXPfVOmvAWgH6jqbsc-W~dA3XbqXjnwqLXeDXSrGQKAwHTtWSwQceKF34-CZZc5rEVhKMocLV5Rrp2KRiPqIQ0eM89-EjU~KtGltV~sJKYg8VAmJACVsMdm2v0Enh1wUUBoNwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cambridge, MA","date","2025-02-10T17:13:00Z","article","The Cambridge City Council on Feb. 10 voted to ordain a package of multifamily zoning changes intended to allow more multifamily housing across the city, ending long-standing exclusionary restrictions in much of Cambridge.

The package — commonly referred to in public testimony as the “4+2” multifamily zoning proposal — passed in two ordinance votes. Councilors voted 8–1 to ordain Part 1 (the zoning amendments as amended) and 8–1 to ordain Part 2. Councilor Siddiqui moved the ordination of Part 1; Councilor Siddiqui moved Part 2 as well. The votes were taken by roll call; eight members voted yes and one member voted no on each ordinance vote.

Why it matters: Supporters said the changes will increase housing supply throughout Cambridge and are a necessary step to address affordability, displacement and climate goals tied to denser, transit-oriented living. Opponents warned the changes will accelerate luxury development, threaten neighborhood character and strain infrastructure.

The council’s action followed a marathon public-comment period. The city gave one-minute speaking slots and heard about 95 sign-ups; dozens of residents, renters, homeowners and advocates spoke for and against the ordinance. Supporters said the zoning change will “end exclusionary zoning” and create more opportunities for renters, young families and workers to live in Cambridge. Opponents said the measure risks producing primarily luxury units and urged delay for further study and neighborhood planning.

Public voices: Resident Mark Rifkin told the council the ordinance “is a fantastic step in the right direction” and called Cambridge “a nationwide leader in progressive housing policy.” Multiple speakers urged passage “as is,” citing study findings and a statewide housing production target one speaker quoted as “222,000 new homes in the next decade.” Other residents, including several long-time homeowners and architects, warned that developers will assemble lots and build larger, higher-margin projects that could displace existing lower- and middle-income housing.

Council debate and amendments: Councilors and staff negotiated several amendments before the final votes. Council discussion noted compromises on height limits, unit-size thresholds, and where design review would still apply. Councilors who opposed the measure urged adoption of an alternative “3+3” approach; supporters argued the package before them represented a practical compromise arrived at after extensive public hearings and staff work.

Implementation and next steps: Council members and staff said they will continue monitoring outcomes and follow up with additional zoning or policy fixes (for example, protections for solar arrays and updated design guidance were discussed as subsequent steps). Councilors also pointed to related programs — the Affordable Housing Overlay and inclusionary zoning mechanisms — that will run in parallel to the ordinance to produce subsidized units.

Votes at a glance:
- Multifamily zoning ordinance, Part 1 (ordain as amended). Motion: ordain multifamily housing zoning petition, Part 1 (as amended). Mover: Councilor Siddiqui. Result: approved, 8–1 (Yes: Councilors Azim, Vice Mayor McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Sabrina Wheeler, Toner, Wilson, Mayor Simmons; No: Councilor Zusi). Outcome: adopted.
- Multifamily zoning ordinance, Part 2 (ordain). Motion: ordain multifamily housing zoning petition, Part 2. Mover: Councilor Siddiqui. Result: approved, 8–1 (same vote alignment). Outcome: adopted.

What the ordinance does (summary): The council’s ordinance reworks residential zoning to allow more multifamily housing by right in areas previously limited to single-family structures, adjusts height and density rules in certain districts, and sets thresholds for when design or planning-board review applies. It also links newly allowed by-right development to the city’s inclusionary zoning mechanisms so a share of new units will be set aside or otherwise supported as affordable housing according to existing local rules.

What councilors said: Councilor Azim, Councilor Nolan and Vice Mayor McGovern and others emphasized the urgency of increasing housing supply. Councilor Toner and other skeptics urged caution, asked for stronger neighborhood design safeguards and said they preferred different zoning parameters. Councilors repeatedly said the change will not stand alone — they pointed to future work on squares and corridors, design review thresholds and community outreach.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting record: the city clerk recorded the roll calls and the full meeting transcript shows the extensive public comment record. The transcript cited a planning-board finding quoted by a resident saying the planning board was “unanimous” that there was no justification for restricting housing types in different neighborhoods. The record also includes resident-cited figures: a state executive office report and a vacancy-rate figure (one speaker said Massachusetts has a 1.6% vacancy rate). The transcript shows both procedural votes and several related policy orders discussed before and after the ordination.

Ending note: Councilors and staff said the work is not finished: they called for follow-up reviews, monitoring of development outcomes, and further zoning work (squares and corridors, solar protections, and design guidelines) to shape how new multifamily housing is built in Cambridge.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cambridge - Feb 10, 2025 5:30 PM - City Council - Regular Meeting - Feb 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After months of hearings and more than 90 public-comment speakers, the Cambridge City Council voted to ordain a sweeping multifamily zoning change (the \"4+2\" package) to allow more multifamily housing broadly across the city. The ordinance passed in two parts after amendments and compromise; votes were 8–1 on each part.","taxTitle","Cambridge City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",3771,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6696029,"Council asks city to present plan for municipal broadband after feasibility study; policy order adopted",3339,2325000,5664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255905-d607bf291260d04d799a881c41cb0dfb&start=2325&end=5664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255905-d607bf291260d04d799a881c41cb0dfb/thumbnail_2325000.jpg","/articles/6696029/Cambridge-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-asks-city-to-present-plan-for-municipal-broadband-after-feasibility-study-policy-order-adopted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696029-f214d609efb0c48fb5fb35c12e5556c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201170&Signature=oFZFrsmwynYY0-BuYVASPT3Dpg0vR-QgsBEIw49Z7d~QlnTbX~O1hsmrK8kpqJYhhsjN6z~95qmWG~DxHdunpIlkQWPbgq3theraZgZ6qr5u5kPX6ITY0VyeL74WBtRudprkaoIf4iyzmzb-IFiHCzm3pgEGJ1E2C~f02QOQ0t2zYibGLZNTivQwIOr0H1hCTq9GHqj~djJlpRlbP7-Co9XoHr~DAAGfUHi1aGF1ShxF-EsJ-aGeLYvds05KquAQpAKfUCdVridBOTCtbAPA--EhccTT0nJ~ERWhXtO1i0UgRBPrC2bQnl9JYvIeWTzRYSKDN3hok9Sos9JJSrhMiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cambridge City Council on Feb. 10 adopted a policy order directing city staff to present a plan and timeline for a municipal broadband option at an upcoming finance committee meeting. The vote followed public comment urging action and a feasibility study that had shown strong resident interest.

Councilor Sabrina Wheeler introduced the policy order, which asked the city manager to “create a plan with a schedule and milestones to move forward with the creation of a municipal broadband network.” Vice Mayor McGovern offered an amendment that removed language implying immediate creation and instead asked staff to present what a plan would look like (financing, timeline and trade-offs) to the finance committee. The amended order passed on a roll call of 8–1.

Supporters cited resident surveys and the limits of current private providers. Rabbi Yoni, speaking in public comment and referencing a city feasibility study, said a resident survey showed “87% felt that Cambridge needed another Internet service provider” and pointed to strong town support for city action. Residents and advocates told the council that municipal broadband could lower costs, improve reliability and better protect net neutrality and privacy for residents who lack alternatives.

Opponents and some councilors raised fiscal questions. Councilor Toner said he would vote no, arguing the project could be a large long-term infrastructure commitment and that near-term city budget constraints required careful prioritization; he emphasized the need to understand trade-offs among other capital needs.

What the order requests: staff were asked to present to the finance committee an outline of possible business models, estimated capital costs and operating scenarios, options for phasing or partnering, and impacts on other capital priorities. The amendment clarified the immediate intent: study and report back, not a final authorization to bond or build.

Financial context and legal notes: the feasibility work referenced in public comment did not automatically obligate the city to fund construction; the council’s vote authorized only a staff report to finance committee. Public comment and council discussion noted recent federal and court developments affecting net neutrality and regulation of Internet service providers, and speakers argued municipal action could provide net neutrality protections at local scale.

Next steps: The finance committee will set a date for the staff presentation. Staff were asked to include debt-service scenarios, potential phasing and affordability protections for lower-income residents in any plan presented to council.","The council voted to direct staff to present a plan for municipal broadband at the finance committee, after a feasibility study and public comment showing strong resident interest. The motion, introduced by Councilor Sabrina Wheeler and amended by Vice Mayor McGovern, passed 8–1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6696023,"Council asks staff to explore automated enforcement to protect bus riders and school buses",449,5577000,6026000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255905-d607bf291260d04d799a881c41cb0dfb&start=5577&end=6026","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255905-d607bf291260d04d799a881c41cb0dfb/thumbnail_5577000.jpg","/articles/6696023/Cambridge-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-asks-staff-to-explore-automated-enforcement-to-protect-bus-riders-and-school-buses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696023-c140dec3cdddd86204fe5baa605ee50b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201170&Signature=K~sUQbOXOly6hSEriHTJie~IseqnJcoTD4e3W~VnKPzgtEtWuKIzFAHsxaQOnACxAqciElkvbcKlGsenTE5MHUElWs0GYeJ7HvFyy3UuIyudX9LU2-eR2apwll8kcs0DE6a-sQQOMyxp7znbQLm4a6W1-HH9tXmJoBafdvEk27jMIOUbwAUflT2hMveYXDCDasEt1mjIy7O--zb08JCuxRKUwONI5xZX7SEH6GKbMYtZslpjr5rohXc8GJLT8K8qVV27fY-HoUdkVdSX9vUfZzHb3hdMvJBGEwn6iq1CZ6t1YW2748sjBm1c-kOC~F-b2HoKXMPci7wVpldnFspD5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cambridge City Council unanimously adopted a policy order on Feb. 10 asking city staff to explore how recently enacted state laws could be used to enforce illegal parking in bus boarding areas and to prevent motorists from illegally passing stopped school buses.

Councilor Sabrina Wheeler introduced the order, which noted recent state legislation signed by the governor that enables municipalities to adopt automated enforcement in those two areas. The council amended the order to add Councilors Nolan, Toner and Wilson as co-sponsors before taking the vote; the final motion passed 9–0.

Why it matters: Councilors and several residents described traffic conflicts near bus stops and a dangerous intersection at Cambridge Street and Cardinal Medeiros as problems needing attention. City staff were asked to report back on implementation options, enforcement technology, privacy protections, and estimated operating costs.

What the order requests: The Community Development Department and Transportation & Parking staff were directed to study statutory implementation steps, required software/hardware options (camera-based enforcement or other approved technologies), and privacy and operational policies required by state law. Counselors noted other related enforcement work, such as the broader safety-stick/automated parking enforcement efforts, that may be coordinated with this implementation.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a written report for the council detailing statutory steps, likely locations for pilot programs, public outreach needs, and estimated costs and revenues. Councilors expressed bipartisan interest in using the state authority to reduce unsafe driving around buses and improve rider safety.","The council unanimously approved a policy order directing staff to study how new state laws authorizing automated enforcement can be used to prevent illegal parking in bus zones and illegal passing of stopped school buses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cambridge Council ordains citywide multifamily zoning after months of debate

Council asks city to present plan for municipal broadband after feasibility study; policy order adopted

Council asks staff to explore automated enforcement to protect bus riders and school buses