July 16, 2026
Dear Fellow Cantabrigians,
We lost 32-year old Cambridge resident Xavier Bautista, a DPW employee, son, partner and father, early in the morning of July 4 when he was shot in the Port while walking to work. My deepest condolences to his family co-workers and friends.
Many of those who gathered at the Sr. Center last week to honor Bautista suggested they would prefer surveillance (Shot Spotter and more cameras) over privacy to better protect their community. At a Special Meeting of the Council (Thursday, July 23 at 5:30pm), the Police will give updates (the shooter was apprehended) and we will discuss the City’s public safety and violence protection work.
Multifamily Housing Ordinance:
7.14.26 Planning Board Dismisses Doug Brown’s Petition offering MFH Amendments
Tuesday’s meeting was disappointing as Planning Board members were not prepared; not knowledgeable about current zoning regs, its impacts on construction or most importantly, the fixes suggested by the Brown petition. Cambridge’s Zoning Director Jeff Roberts said that little’s happening with the zoning and it’s premature to evaluate or modify it. The discussion was empty of meaningful review and the board voted down the petition as per CDD’s recommendation. I thank Doug Brown for all the work he put into his proposed amendments. (They are summarized in my 6.7.26 update.)
Brown’s Petition will be reviewed by the Ordinance Committee next Tuesday, July 21 at 3pm. Let’s hope for more thoughtful consideration.To read the petition, watch the meeting or sign up to give public comment go here: https://cambridgema.primegov.com/public/portal.
Modest MFH Ordinance Amendments Recommended by City
At the June 25th NLTP & Housing Committee meeting, CDD, in consultation with Inspectional Services, DPW, the Historical Commission and Fire Department, presented recommendations to make the current zoning more “honest.” CDD explained that the MFH O. has alarmed neighbors while frustrating developers due to the fact that their “zoning compliant” buildings often aren’t by failing to meet Green Factor, drainage and other building codes. In response, CDD proposed:
- increasing the size and flexibility of setbacks
- increasing the permeable open space area requirements from 15% to 20%
- encouraging more units of moderate size
- improving the abutter notification process and
- providing clearer rules.
See the video here: https://cambridgema.v3.swagit.com/videos/392231
There was general Council support for these amendments. I believe they will pass in some form. The NLTP & Housing Committees will discuss them further at the continuance of the meeting in September.
Still to be resolved: greater tree protections (likely a fall discussion) and occupant eligibility of the new transit-oriented developments for resident parking permits. Prediction: Likely to pass on August 3.
Tracking MFH O. Projects
My stellar aide Natalie Sandoval and I have been researching and adding properties to the MFH O. spawned development database, which is the foundation for the Development Tracker. See: https://cambridge-redev-tracker.pages.dev/. There are currently 104 development projects in the works and 25 more on our watch list. (Also, want to know what can be built on your street? Use this tool: https://www.cambridgehousingmap.org/.)
In the 17 months since the passage of the MFH O. the Cambridge Historical Commission has been asked to evaluate 341 properties for their historic significance. This compares to 44 in the year prior to the Ordinance’s passage. Not all of these properties are certain to be demolished, but many may be on the chopping block! Around the City I see many holes where houses once stood. In the last week Inspectional Services shut down demolitions at 30 Dudley St. and 66-68 Kinniard St. because of a lack of safety measures. Demolitions must be better monitored for the sake of our public health!
Ordinance Committee Advances Zoning for N. Mass Ave. and Cambridge St. Ground Floor Active Space
July 7th, the Council endorsed Planning Board recommendations for ground floor active space: South of Porter Square, new residential development above four stories must have ground floor active space—retail or otherwise. North of Porter, to incentivize housing, such active space is required only in residential buildings over eight stories.
On Cambridge St., the Council voted to support active ground floor retail for buildings three stories and higher at Webster and Windsor and at Lechmere, as requested by neighbors and the East Cambridge Business Association. The Council couldn’t come to consensus, however, for the rest of Cambridge St. from Inman Square to First Street. Councillors Azeem, McGovern, Simmons and Sobrinho-Wheeler all wanted greater height—a seventh story—in exchange for ground floor retail requirements at three or four stories. Councillor Al-Zubi was absent so the vote was tied. Cambridge Street’s roadway is a 35’-53’ narrow street with dynamic local retail. Six stories is already a stretch for this north-south street that is prone to long shadows. Setbacks would make a big difference but don’t have Council support.
Discussion of Expanding Universal Pre-K for three year olds
At the June 26th Roundtable, Cambridge’s Exec. Director of Early Childhood Dr. Cheryl Ohlson discussed ideas for expanding UPK. Introducing means testing and offering a sliding scale was dismissed as counter to the philosophy of UPK, while requiring intensive administration and management.
Options considered were:
- expanding the program to all three-year-olds regardless of income—beyond what is currently offered to homeless, or children in foster care, as well as 65% of area median income eligible families
- expanding the program’s income eligibility guidelines to as much as 200% of AMI.
For the 858 children currently enrolled, Cambridge pays $31k per child to care providers. Overall, our early childcare programs cost $39 million. I support the expanding this program as City revenues permit. In the meantime, Cambridge’s Early Childhood Dept. is working on expanding engagement with nonprofit providers, mentoring existing teachers and training new ones.
Preparing for Streets with More Scooters, Electric Bikes and other Micromobility Devices
At our most recent Transportation Meeting we discussed the State House’s Micromobility Bill S. 3077, the Ride Safe Act,” which should pass this month and provide clearer guidelines for these personal vehicles, especially about where they can be used and what safety items to require: helmets, bells, lights, insurance and microIDs (the latter for faster vehicles).
In Cambridge last year, 14% of crashes, overall, were caused by a micromobility device, 32% of which required EMT transport, 6% were by people under 18. The Cambridge Police wrote 912 citations for infractions, 87% (812) of which were warnings. Their data show accidents predominantly happen mid-week, 5-6pm, between August and October.
The State’s regulatory goals are to make micromobility devices safer for all and to encourage residents, commuters and workers to choose to travel by mass transit or one of these devices (if not bike), rather than by car. Most trips are 3 miles or less.
I asked about the MicroIDs (apparently, they still need refinement!) and about University partnerships (we’re doing it!) and the storage of these devices (we’re planning for it!). I also shared how nervous these devices make many Cambridge residents. We need better rules and enforcement.
Urban Forest Master Plan Update – Canopy Goals
At a recent Health & Environment Committee meeting, the Dept. of Public Works and Landscape Architects Reed Hilderbrand shared that between 2019 and 2021 the City met its 30% canopy goal overall. This is great news. The rate of tree loss is down and the rate of tree growth is up. Our new goal is 35% tree canopy overall (25% minimum per neighborhood), with a focus on equity, planting more trees over sidewalks, especially on Mass. Ave and Cambridge St., and encouraging private property owners to plant and preserve their trees. (Most of our tree loss is on private property.)
At 15% canopy, East Cambridge has the least, with MIT at 17%, Wellington-Harrington 22%, the Port 23%, Cambridgeport 26% and Riverside 29%. (In E. Cambridge, the focus will be on planting trees next to sidewalks, in parking lots and on DCR land.)
The DPW tree consultant recommended focusing on quality over quantity, more strategic plantings, requiring 1:1 replacements and to reconsider setback and open space definitions.
I feel hopeful that the Council will consider greater tree protections since five members (McGovern, Siddiqui, Al Zubi, Nolan and Sobrinho-Wheeler) were all endorsed by the Sierra Club, which perceives trees as essential infrastructure. (Yes, it’s curious, but they did not endorse me.)
Zero Waste Master Plan Passed!
At our June 22nd meeting, after several years in discussion, the Council passed a plan to reduce trash by 80% (from a 2009 baseline) by 2050. We are making great progress—a 37% reduction as of 2025—but we must do more. Priorities include collecting more food waste compost from larger residential and commercial buildings (including restaurants), while better diverting metals, textiles, electronics and mattresses. Not only is this the right thing, but it will also save money (trash disposal is expensive) and reduce rodents. Residential and commercial buildings will be given six months to prepare for the changes and another six months grace period. Education is key. The plan includes reducing move-in and move-out student waste. A Skip the Stuff Ordinance requires restaurants to provide disposable utensils only on request.
Our Water System is Under Stress
In terms of City preparedness for this current drought, the Water Department shared the impact of climate change on our existing water system of three reservoirs: Hobbs Brook, Stony Brook and Fresh Pond. New weather patterns of flash floods and droughts threaten them. In the 50 years prior to 2015, Cambridge saw three major droughts. Since 2016, we have had five! We are using less water per person, but with a projected increasing population, it seems likely droughts will stress our reservoirs. The City has applied for a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant proposal to fund a feasibility study to make Cambridge’s water supply more drought resilient.
We Need a Parking Plan
In 2027 our parking fees will be $75 per car, fees waived for hardship and disabled residents. The Transportation Department is concerned about increasing demand for parking, and so has recommended community engagement, additional data collection and analysis.
CDD To Prepare a Housing Needs Study
At my request, CDD has proposed to produce a Neighborhood Statistical Profile in early 2027, with emphasis on specific housing needs (for the elderly, families and individuals with disabilities),existing housing stock, household income levels and housing stats by neighborhood by size of project; and a housing production dashboard with up-to-date information. It will incorporate data from the Inclusionary Study (due this summer) and Incentive Zoning Nexus Study (due this fall). These studies will also analyze local demographic changes, employment trends, and housing affordability.
Around Town
I’ve been all around Cambridge: attending meetings about the proposed separated bike lanes on Lower Huron Ave, Just A Start’s plans for affordable housing at 1826 & 1840 Mass. Ave, and Healthpeak’s $4.5b development in the Alewife Quad. I’ve also visited neighborhoods and met with neighbors in North and Mid-Cambridge, Strawberry Hill and Riverside regarding MFH O. projects and watched two demolitions, happening within a block of me. (That doesn’t happen everyday, or didn’t.)
I also celebrated the opening of the MBTA headhouses at Kendall Square and the contributions of Susanne Rasmussen, the City’s longtime sustainability leader, and savored the energy of the Central Square Dance Party.
Be safe, stay cool, and enjoy these long summer days.
Proud to serve you,
Cathie
City Councillor
Captions:
Watching houses torn down at 174 Hamilton and 214 Allston
New Kendall Square headhouse!
Central Square Dance Party
World Cup comes to Cambridge Crossing
