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Council amends multifamily zoning petition to require developer abutter meetings and digital notice
Summary
The City Council approved an amendment to the multifamily zoning petition requiring developers seeking bonus height to hold a pre‑permit informational meeting for abutters and to post notification online and on-site; the amendment passed unanimously as part of a package of changes to the petition.
The Cambridge City Council adopted an amendment on Feb. 3 to the pending multifamily housing zoning petition that requires developers seeking increased height (the Affordable Housing Overlay scheme) to hold an informational meeting for abutters before applying for building permits and to provide additional public notice.
Councilors said the change aims to give neighbors and occupants earlier, clearer information about projects that will increase building height in residential areas. The adopted change requires mailed notice to parties defined under the Zoning Act, posting to the City of Cambridge website and an on-site notice at the property; the council also amended drafting to make the requirement apply where developers seek additional stories beyond what is allowed as of right.
Why it mattered: Many residents testified during public comment about concerns with as-of-right increases in height, design impacts, solar access and infrastructure strain. Supporters of the amendment said a required informational meeting is a modest step that preserves as‑of‑right development while improving early community engagement.
What the council did: The council adopted the amendment by substitution and then approved the petition text as amended. The vote on the amendment and subsequent adoption recorded unanimous support (9–0). Staff said they will update petition language placement and proceed with the ordinance process with the new notification and meeting requirement incorporated.
Next steps: City staff will incorporate the new footnote into the petition language and return updated zoning text for the council’s continuing consideration in the ordinance process. The new requirement will be reported through standard zoning hearing procedures and included in the petition materials available online.
