Cambridge ordinance committee advances revised multifamily zoning petitions after hours of debate

The Cambridge Ordinance Committee on Jan. 14 approved substitute text from the Community Development Department (CDD) for two linked multifamily zoning petitions and sent both petitions to the full City Council with favorable recommendations.

The committee voted first to replace the text for “multifamily zoning petition — part 1” and then to replace part 2 with CDD's updated language provided in response to Policy Order 2024-163. Both substitution motions were moved from the dais and passed on roll-call votes (each substitution passed 9–0). The committee later voted to forward Part 1 and Part 2 to the full City Council with favorable recommendations for a second reading (each forwarding motion passed 8–1).

Why it matters: The petitions would change where and how multifamily housing is allowed across Cambridge’s residential districts, replace certain special-permit tracks with a citywide system of site-plan and project-review thresholds, and add a density bonus tied to inclusionary requirements. Proponents said the changes aim to expand multifamily housing options and make existing housing types conforming to zoning; opponents warned of demolition, neighborhood change and impacts on solar access.

City staff framed the measure as a rewrite of dimensions and allowed uses rather than adjustments to building code or historic-district rules. “The essence of this zoning proposal is about changing the dimensions and the uses of housing that are permitted throughout the city,” CDD staff said during the presentation.

What the committee voted on and why - Substitution of Parts 1 and 2: On separate motions to substitute the petition language with the CDD text responsive to Policy Order 2024-163 (moved from the chair), the full amended texts were placed before the committee and approved on roll call, each 9–0. Committee members then discussed…