Cambridge Planning Board concludes discussion on multifamily design guidelines; staff to revise and expand outreach

Cambridge Planning Board members on May 13 reviewed and provided detailed feedback on draft multifamily design guidelines developed by the Community Development Department, then voted unanimously to conclude the discussion and ask staff to revise the document and pursue broader outreach.

The discussion centered on how the guidelines will be presented and used, differences in format between the citywide urban design guidelines and the multifamily document, how to reach small property owners and neighborhood groups, and whether the guidelines should more clearly prioritize issues such as tree canopy, durability of construction, and sustainability. After the discussion the board voted 5–0 to conclude consideration of the draft guidelines; the motion was moved by H. Theodore Cohen and seconded by Tom Sinevich.

Mary Flynn, chair of the Cambridge Planning Board, opened the item and framed it as a continued discussion following an April 29 presentation and public comments. Evan Spetrini, senior manager for zoning and development in the Community Development Department (CDD), and urban design staff including Jeff Roberts and Eric Thorkelson answered members' questions and noted the draft grew from earlier affordable housing design work and was produced in-house using a different template than the citywide…