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Cambridge residents flood council with opposing views as late multifamily zoning order is forwarded to staff
Summary
Dozens of residents delivered two‑minute public comments on a late policy order to amend multifamily zoning; speakers sharply disagreed on tradeoffs between expanding housing and protecting neighborhoods. The council voted to send the late order to the Community Development Department for drafting (8–1).
Dozens of Cambridge residents spoke during a 44‑speaker public‑comment block at the Dec. 23 City Council meeting, sharply divided over a late policy order that would update the city’s multifamily zoning.
Opponents described the late order as a developer‑friendly “upzoning” that risks demolition, displacement and damage to the city’s tree canopy. Suzanne Lia told the council the proposal is “a massive giveaway to investors and developers” that could lead to demolition of historic buildings and evictions of lower‑income tenants. Several speakers urged the council to slow down, demand more analysis and restore special‑permit review that would give neighbors an opportunity to be heard.
Other speakers backed the zoning change as a necessary step to produce more multifamily housing and ease high rents. Brennan Waters said housing costs are the top concern for many residents and called on the council to “take meaningful action to reduce our rent and pass the multifamily zoning bill.” Hanan Rhodes described the ordinance amendments as “a great compromise” that would allow more housing while limiting the tallest buildings in many places.
Several public commenters proposed alternatives. Dan Totten urged the council to evaluate a “3‑plus‑3” approach (three stories as‑of‑right plus two different 3‑story bonuses) that he said would deliver most of the projected new units while reducing displacement concerns. Other speakers pressed for stronger protections for the city’s tree canopy, required open space, and clearer inclusionary‑housing rules to ensure taller projects include affordable units.
Council members debated the late order’s timing and content. Councilor Toner, one of the sponsors, said the proposed amendments — which include reducing some base heights from six to four stories, restoring 5‑foot side and rear setbacks and adding a 5,000‑square‑foot lot‑size requirement for taller buildings — respond to public concerns raised at ordinance‑committee hearings. Vice Mayor McGovern, another sponsor, said the council could not direct departments directly and therefore needed to forward the order to the city manager so Community Development Department (CDD), the Historical Commission and Law could draft implementing language.
Councilor Zuzi voted against the final motion to forward the order and expressed concern that the changes still allow too much as‑of‑right development away from corridors and squares, arguing that smart growth should be concentrated near transit. Councilor Siddiqui and others said the amendments reflect community feedback and left room for further changes during upcoming ordinance‑committee meetings.
The council voted to forward the late policy order to the city manager and CDD for drafting and a report back by Jan. 16, 2025; the motion passed 8–1. The vote does not enact zoning; it directs staff to prepare the draft ordinance language and return to committee for public hearings and further amendment before any final vote.
What’s next: CDD and the city solicitor will draft zoning language per the council’s direction and return to the ordinance committee and council in January for public comment and additional deliberations. The council repeatedly stressed that several meetings remain before any final ordinance adoption.
Sources: Public‑comment testimony and council floor debate at the Dec. 23 Cambridge City Council meeting.
