Cambridge City Council's Proposed Ordinance for Higher Density Housing

Cambridge City Council's proposal to allow six stories of housing as-of-right may appear progressive, yet it is overshadowed by underlying complexities and the planning board processes that remain in place. While this ordinance aims to facilitate higher density housing throughout Cambridge, it does not eliminate the necessary site plan reviews, which are not governed by Mass General Law 48. Consequently, even as they enact these zoning changes, developers will still face potential hurdles, including appeals from residents resistant to such developments. Other municipalities have similarly attempted to adopt zoning regulations to comply with MBTA requirements, but the reality of development remains restricted due to existing planning procedures, leading to elongated timelines that can stretch project approvals to one or two years. This intricate planning landscape suggests that, despite the positive announcement around allowing more multifamily housing, actual outcomes may not reflect an immediate or robust increase in development, particularly outside urban areas where planning boards are increasingly complex and may lack experienced members. The notion of 'as-of-right' developments, therefore, is diluted by these additional layers of review and community objections, ultimately complicating the realization of higher density housing goals.