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Cambridge council orders faster review of inclusionary-zoning rules amid developer, neighbor pressure
Summary
After weeks of public comment from developers, housing advocates and neighbors, the Cambridge City Council voted to accelerate a review of the city’s inclusionary-zoning rules and return policy options by October 1, 2025. The council also directed staff to begin a longer, consultant-led update of the 2016 inclusionary study.
The Cambridge City Council voted unanimously to accelerate a review of the city’s inclusionary-zoning formula and return recommended options this fall, saying they want policy choices sooner rather than after a yearlong consultant study.
The order, adopted 9-0 after amendments, asks the city manager and Community Development Department to develop a timeline and produce “policy options” by Oct. 1, 2025, while the city also proceeds to commission a full update to the 2016 inclusionary housing study.
Why it matters: Inclusionary zoning requires developers to set aside a portion of new housing as affordable. After the council raised the inclusionary requirement in 2017, developers, housing advocates and neighbors have sharply debated whether the rule should be adjusted because of current construction costs and lending conditions. Council members said they wanted realistic options soon so projects already in…
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