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Cambridge housing debate intensifies as council receives wide public comment on ending exclusionary zoning
Summary
Dozens of residents and neighborhood groups addressed the council about a draft zoning amendment to end exclusionary single‑family zoning and allow up to six‑story multifamily buildings citywide; supporters stressed housing supply needs while opponents warned of displacement, demolition and environmental costs.
The City Council heard extended public comment on draft multifamily zoning language that would eliminate exclusionary zoning and permit up to six‑story residential buildings across Cambridge. Supporters argued the change is necessary to increase housing supply and reduce out‑migration; opponents warned of neighborhood character loss, displacement of lower‑income residents, parking and environmental impacts, and urged more public review and targeted analyses.
Speakers described trade‑offs: Marilee Meyer and others urged slowing the process to allow community design review and study of demolition and carbon impacts, while proponents such as Justin Save and Charles Franklin said the draft is the product of extensive public engagement and is needed to produce more units. Several speakers also urged referral paths — either to the ordinance committee or a special meeting of the whole — and asked staff to provide more analysis on inclusionary housing outcomes, displacement modeling, and traffic impacts. Council discussion focused on process questions, charter rights, and the next steps for committee referral; the clerk and city solicitor described legal constraints on how petition language can be amended once noticed for hearings.
