Cambridge, MA

This petition would dramatically constrain buildable envelopes and trigger mandatory special-permit review at just 20,000 sq ft in C-1 zones — quadrupling regulatory scrutiny and potentially killing or shrinking multifamily and AHO projects currently in the pipeline.

Cambridge Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on a zoning petition to amend Articles 2.000, 5.000, 6.000, 11.000, and 19.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance to tighten height, setback, open space, step-back, building depth/width, and parking standards for residential uses in Residence C-1 districts (including the Affordable Housing Overlay), and to slash the Project Review Special Permit threshold from 75,000 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft for residential projects.