November 30, 2025
Dear Fellow Cantabrigians,
In the November election, I placed fourth with 2025 #1 votes! I am deeply grateful for your support and honored to serve our wonderful city. Thank you!
Of Greatest Concern today is the Implementation of our new Zoning Law. This is Development without Regard to Neighbors or Neighborhoods.
Properties are changing hands and projects are planned to max out the bonuses of the Multifamily Housing Ordinance.
I’ve met with concerned neighbors of 54 Hayes St., a small dead end in Riverside, and abutters of 96 Jackson St. in North Cambridge. Nine luxury units will be built at each site, without parking.
In both cases demolition notices were shared the night before the demolition date for these as of right 3- and 4-story projects. Both max out every permissible square inch of property, courtesy of the MFH Ordinance. Neighbors have expressed concern about the construction staging, contractor trucks and worker vehicles, mature tree impact, and how they will absorb new resident cars on parking scarce blocks.
I attended meetings about two AHO projects: Just a Start’s 240 Broadway and 28-30 Wendell St, where I heard similar complaints: out of scale height and volume, lack of parking and the disruption of construction staging for projects that are maxing out density. At the Porter Sq. Neighborhood Association meeting I learned about 1740 Mass Ave., a 6-story, 71-unit building, with affordable units but no parking. (The new N. Mass. Ave zoning proposal would allow 12 stories!)
These projects put neighbors in a difficult place. Using sidewalks and the street for construction staging and having no parking plan for construction and worker vehicles is problematic, as are electric transformers in front yards (on “open space”). Abutters have much to worry about: water infiltration, damaged trees and unbonded developers.
Regarding this, I will be introducing amendments to the MFH ordinance, and looking into policy orders that require bonding for developers and better construction planning. Our city’s character and residential quality of life shouldn’t be sacrificed to new housing development.
Tuesday! Speak Out About Upzoning on N. Mass. Ave & Cambridge St.
At the Tuesday, December 2 at 5:30pm Ordinance Committee meeting upzoning is on the agenda. Please share your thoughts. See CDD presentation and sign up to speak here or write the Council, City Clerk and City Manager.
Know that this upzoning already has a majority of Councillor support; a final December vote is likely. (I was the lone opposing vote at the Sept. 16th Council meeting.) The petition expires January 28th, but my colleagues want to pass it this term. I agree that most development should be along major transportation corridors and at squares, but question the heights proposed for residential development:
for N. Mass Ave.: 10, 12, 15 & 18 stories; and
for Cambridge St.: 8,10, 12 & 15 stories.
The rationale for the upzoning is the national housing emergency and it could add 21,340 units (including # 3,860 affordable units) by 2040, but the Council has never discussed or considered whether these numbers are realistic.
I will be advocating for:
- only 6 or 7 stories as of right
- Planning Board review for all projects over 70’ and 50,000 sq. feet or larger
- more public open space—none required for projects 6 stories (Cambridge St.) and 8 stories (N. Mass Ave.) is inappropriate, 30% is better, to be negotiated as necessary. This requirement must be for space open to the public, not private balconies or roof gardens
- protection for existing local retail
- required first floor retail
- nightclubs, theaters and breweries should not be as of right uses
- infrastructure planning: roads, utilities, open space, parking, and trees.
Previously, the height for N. Mass. Ave. was 35’ for residential and 45’ for non-residential, but with the MFH Ordinance it is now 6 stories residential and 45’ non residential, with 7 stories allowed for some residential areas. AHO buildings can be 13 stories and in Porter Sq.,15 stories. Mass. Ave is 100’ wide. Proposed open space requirements: 8 stories or less: none required, 9 stories or higher 5% public, 10% balconies and green roofs.
The height limitations for Cambridge St. was 35’ for residential and 45’ for non-residential, but with the MFH Ordinance it is now 6 stories residential and 45’ non residential. AHO buildings can be 13 stories and 15 stories in some places. Cambridge St. is 65’ wide. It’s a much smaller street! Proposed open space requirements: 6 stories or less: none required, 7 stories or more 5% public, 10% balconies and green roofs.
City Revenue Declines
Between January 2024 and January 2025, our commercial values lowered 12.5%, new growth dropped 40%, and our excess tax levy capacity decreased by 8.6%. This means that Cambridge will need to increase property taxes to fund the operating budget. The City Manager’s FY27 goal is to keep budget growth under 5% and the increased tax levy under 7%. Our “free” cash is at 20 year low as a percentage of the budget.
Yi-an Huang has asked each department to develop a budget that lowers costs by 2.1%. This will allow him to budget a $12m overall reduction in operating costs. See the City’s November 10th financial presentation here.
My concern is funding unforeseen necessary capital expenses e.g., the redesign of Gold Star Mother’s Park due to recently discovered soil contamination ($10m), rebuilding the First St. garage, Kennedy-Longfellow School and grounds updates, demolishing Riverview Condos at 221 Mt. Auburn St. ($20m loan), and needed CSO work to prevent sewage outflows.
We will also need to pay for some income-eligible basic programs the Feds are dropping, including for fuel assistance and some housing subsidies. In the past, we have received about $30m in Federal funds each year. We just learned that we won’t be receiving $8.4m for housing: including $4.6m from the Continuum of Care program, helping people transition out of homelessness, and $3.8m of housing vouchers for formerly homeless residents. Thankfully, Federal SNAP benefits (food assistance), mostly, have now been restored.
I will be pushing to reduce expenses further while advocating for maintenance of our park and building capital assets and the care for our most vulnerable.
Layoffs of DEI Staff Due to Restructuring
I question the sudden corporate-style staff terminations and how the Council and public commissions created by the Council were not part of the conversation. However, I do believe that due to a tightening budget, the City needs to reevaluate programs and staffing. Our new Charter makes it clear that the City Manager is responsible for the City’s fiscal health and all staffing.
Good News
- The City says that after planting about 5,000 trees over the past five years, we’ve achieved our goal of 30% canopy cover, well on our goal of 35% coverage by 2035.
- The Affordable Housing Trust will soon be developing a plan for Vail Court.
- Cambridge received $50k from the State of refundable tax credits to incentivize businesses to occupy vacant storefronts and $30k for a feasibility study on a Porter Square Business Improvement District.
- Through January 16, the City is running a pilot of FREE senior programs at the Russell Youth and Community Center. On Thursday and Fridays, from 9am-12noon, the Council on Aging is holding yoga, Tai Chi and portrait drawing classes.
Important Upcoming Meetings
December 2 Upzoning for N. Mass Ave. and Cambridge St.
December 3 Residential Development Incentives
December 4 Community Benefits
December 9 Automatic License Plate Readers
December 11 Residential Solar Panels Protections
December 16 Social Housing
Click here for presentations, to attend virtually, or sign up for public comment.
Around Town
Since I last wrote, I attended a legislative breakfast for the Mass Municipal Association, a legislative meeting about Alewife sewage, and a Somerville Cambridge Elder Services symposium on the Future of Aging. I went to the opening of the Central Square BID’s 541 Mass. Ave and to lectures focused on middle income and affordable housing hosted by Harvard’s Joint Center on Housing. I also assisted constituents with issues relating to lighting, dumping, dangerous intersections, and housing.
Hoping that you had a lovely holiday,
Cathie
Cambridge City Councillor
P.S. If we missed picking up your campaign sign, could you drop it off on my front porch at 202 Hamilton St.? Thank you!