Hundreds of residents urge Cambridge City Council to delay Cambridge Street and Mass Ave upzoning amid inclusionary-law lawsuit

Dozens of residents pressed the Cambridge City Council on Monday to delay two zoning petitions that would allow taller, denser housing along Cambridge Street and North Mass Ave.

Speakers during a marathon public-comment period asked the council to let the petitions expire and restart community engagement, saying the height increases — described by many as rising from previously discussed six stories to 8–15 stories in some places — were a surprise and would threaten the scale, sunlight, rooftop solar and local small businesses in Inman Square, Porter Square and adjacent neighborhoods.

Community leaders and neighborhood groups, including speakers identifying themselves as representing the New School of Music and the Cambridge Art Association, emphasized support for more housing but said the current petitions lacked the bargain residents expect: legally secured inclusionary units or explicit incentives for affordable and social housing. Helen Walker asked the council to “not ordain these increased heights until we're sure of getting a…