Happy New Year!  

Let’s make this the year Cambridge ends exclusionary zoning! 

We only have about a month left to pass citywide multifamily zoning into law. To make this a reality, we will need everyone (you and your friends) to email and comment in support.

The Ordinance Committee will have public comment on the final amendment package at 5 pm, this Wednesday, January 8, before the vote on the amendments on January 16. We need people to turn out and support the current compromise proposal and urge the City Council to keep it strongly pro-housing. 

Please email [email protected] (cc [email protected] and bcc [email protected]) to thank the Council for working together on this important proposal and to urge them to keep the focus on creating the most housing overall and the most subsidized inclusionary housing.

When sign-ups open, please sign up to speak here for the 5 pm, Wednesday, January 8 Ordinance Committee hearing. Where it asks you the agenda item, you can put Supporting Citywide Multifamily Zoning. You can give public comment via Zoom or in person. 

This is the current compromise amendment package:

• Four-story multifamily could be built citywide “as of right.” 
• Six-story multifamily could be built citywide “as of right” if 1 in 5 homes (out of 10+) are affordable homes and the lot is at least 5,000 square feet (around 30% of residential lots).
• Setback minimums of 5 feet at the rear and sides of lots are required (along with 10 feet front setbacks).
  

While the compromise isn’t everything we wanted, we still think the proposal is an extremely positive and important step forward that will make Cambridge one of the most pro-housing cities in the nation. We want to ensure it is not weakened from here and have some suggestions for talking points here.

After Wednesday, we’re in the home stretch of allowing multifamily housing citywide! 

• Thursday, January 16 - Ordinance Committee vote on the amendments (no public comment)

Then there are two more votes to pass the proposal into law.

• Monday, January 27, 5:30 pm - City Council Meeting, first vote (public comment)
• Monday, February 10, 5:30 pm - City Council meeting, final vote (public comment)

Thank you for your tremendous support so far! With it, we’ve gotten closer to ending exclusionary zoning than we have in three terms of trying. Help us get over the finish line!

P.S. Apply for a City Committee!

By serving on a City committee, you can share your perspective and make an impact on our housing crisis. Right now, these committees are looking for new members:

• Cambridge Housing Authority (Application Deadline Extended to 1-27-25)
• Cambridge Historical Commission (Application Deadline Extended 1-27-25)

To apply, visit this website. Know someone who might be interested? Forward this email to them!