Item 5 · CC 2026-71 · Committee Reports
The Ordinance Committee held two public hearings on June 16, 2026 and July 7, 2026 on two City Council zoning petitions to amend Article 17.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map regarding active use requirements on North Massachusetts Avenue and Cambridge Street, including a special permit requirement for Formula Businesses on Cambridge Street.
Placed on fileReport Accepted and Placed on File
Roll call 9 yesPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
ORD 2026-05 · Committee Reports
Massachusetts Avenue Active Use Zoning petition
PassedAmended by Substitution and Passed to a Second Reading
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
ORD 2026-06 · Committee Reports
Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning petition
PassedPassed to a Second Reading
Roll call 8 yes · 1 noPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 8 · CC 2026-72 · Committee Reports
The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 on a Zoning Petition by Douglas P. Brown, et al., to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 2.000, 5.000, 6.000, 11.000, and 19.000 with the intent of amending height, setback, and open space requirements, adding step back and building depth and width requirements, and adding minimum off-street parking requirements for residential uses in Residence C-1 districts, including the Affordable Housing Overlay, as well as reducing the Project Review Special Permit threshold from 75,000 to 20,000 square feet for residential uses in Residence C-1 districts, among other changes.
Placed on fileReport Accepted and Placed on File
Roll call 9 yesPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
ORD 2026-08 · Committee Reports
A Zoning Petition has been received from Doug Brown to amend the current Article(s) and/or section(s) numbered and entitled Articles 2, 5, 6, 11 and 19 height, setback, parking, open space and design review requirements.
Failed
Roll call 9 noPatricia Nolan: No
Who voted how
Item 1 · COF 2026-105 · Communications From Other City Officers
A communication was received from Interim City Clerk Paula Crane, regarding an update regarding legislative activity.
Placed on file
Roll call 9 yesPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 2 · COF 2026-104 · Communications From Other City Officers
A Communication from Councillor Nolan Submitting Proposed Amendments to Short Term Rental Zoning Petition
Referred
Roll call 8 yes · 1 noPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 3 · COF 2026-106 · Communications From Other City Officers
A communication from Mayor Siddiqui transmitting a memorandum regarding information from the School Committee
Placed on file
Roll call 9 yesPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 1 · Submission Of The Record
Minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held on February 9, 2026.
Placed on fileReport Accepted and Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 2 · Submission Of The Record
Minutes of the Special City Council meeting held on January 27, 2026.
Placed on fileReport Accepted and Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 1 · CMA 2026-185 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a request to approve the use of electronic poll pads on election day.
Placed on fileCMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 2 · CMA 2026-203 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to reappointments to the Biosafety Committee.
PassedApproved and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 3 · CMA 2026-193 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of donations received in honor of Frances Antupit, in the amount of $10,563.98, to the Grant Fund Historical Commission Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 4 · CMA 2026-191 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $10,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Grant to the Grant Fund Department of Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 5 · CMA 2026-192 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of donations received for the Police Department Secret Santa for Seniors Program, in the amount of $2,750, to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 6 · CMA 2026-190 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of various donations to the Council on Aging in the amount of $4,101.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 7 · CMA 2026-195 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appropriation of MASSCAP Inc. funds in the amount of $1,821.91 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 8 · CMA 2026-196 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to donations to The Cambridge Program for Individuals with Special Needs in the amount of $5,013.96 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 9 · CMA 2026-197 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation, in the amount of $625,000, from the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 7 yes · 2 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 10 · CMA 2026-198 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appropriation of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) grant in the amount of $137,222.00 funded by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salaries and Wages account ($23,951.00) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($113,271.00).
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 11 · CMA 2026-200 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation, in the amount of $68,980.00, received from the Cambridge Housing Authority for the Cambridge Employment Program, to the Grant Fund Human Services Programs Salary and Wages account.
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 12 · CMA 2026-201 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appropriation of a Sports and Entertainment Events Fund Grant, in the amount of $26,000, received from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism to the Grant Fund Executive Department Salaries and Wages account.
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 13 · CMA 2026-189 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 26-34 regarding a report on citywide water use and water supply.
Placed on fileCMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 14 · CMA 2026-199 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update regarding a Boards and Commissions Ordinance Review and Modernization Initiative.
Placed on fileCMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 15 · CMA 2026-187 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a response to Awaiting Report 26-02 regarding school parking access.
Placed on fileCMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 16 · CMA 2026-183 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 26-38 regarding changes to the resident parking permit price.
Placed on fileCMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 17 · CMA 2026-202 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 26-07 regarding restrictions to eligibility for on-street resident parking.
ReferredReferred to the Transportation & Public Utilities Committee
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 18 · CMA 2026-184 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Home Rule Petition that would increase the personal property tax exemption threshold to $30,000.00 in assessed value for Fiscal Year 2027 and onward.
PassedOrder Adopted and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 19 · CMA 2026-188 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report AR 26-04 regarding updates to the Short-Term Rental Ordinance.
ReferredReferred to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for Hearing and Report
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 20 · CMA 2026-186 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 26-33 regarding a housing needs study.
Placed on fileCMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 21 · CMA 2026-194 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Massachusetts Avenue Active Use Zoning Petition Planning Board report.
ReferredCMA Placed on File, Report Accepted and Referred to the Petition
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 22 · CMA 2026-204 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning Petition Planning Board report.
ReferredCMA Placed on File Report Accepted and Referred to the Petition
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 23 · CMA 2026-206 · City Manager's Agenda
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments and reappointments of members to the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee.
PassedApproved and CMA Placed on File
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 1 · POR 2026-124 · Policy Orders
That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to develop a plan for inclusive and robust engagement on any proposed licensing changes, and to ensure that the City’s licensing framework remains as efficient, accessible, and streamlined as the law allows, without imposing unnecessary barriers or burdens on licensees. REFERRED TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE IN COUNCIL JUNE 22, 2026
ReferredReferred to the Economic Development & University Relations Committee
Item 2 · POR 2026-125 · Policy Orders
That the City Manager is requested to confer with the relevant departments to explore the ability of the City to prohibit, restrict, or otherwise regulate the use of algorithmic price fixing in its rental housing market, including the potential drafting of ordinance language that would regulate algorithmic price fixing and report back to the City Council in a timely manner.
PassedAdopted
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 3 · POR 2026-129 · Policy Orders
That the City Manager is requested to direct the Cambridge Police Department to prepare a report for the City Council regarding the causes of the significant decline in traffic enforcement since 2015, current departmental priorities, and recommendations for enforcement.
PassedAdopted
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 4 · POR 2026-130 · Policy Orders
That the City Manager is requested to evaluate the impacts of the temporary extended last call and public outdoor drinking district measures during the authorization period, consult with the License Commission, Cambridge Police Department, and other relevant stakeholders on the feasibility and desirability of making these measures permanent, and identify any necessary changes or actions required for implementation beyond the current authorization. REFERRED TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE IN COUNCIL JUNE 22, 2026
ReferredReferred to the Economic Development & University Relations Committee
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 5 · POR 2026-131 · Policy Orders
City Council support of An Act to protect Massachusetts public health from PFAS.
PassedAdopted
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 6 · POR 2026-132 · Policy Orders
A policy order regarding proposed License Commission guidelines
Other actionWithdrawn
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how
Item 1 · Calendar
That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Police Department, the Community Safety Department, the Emergency Communications Department, the Department of Human Service Programs, the Department of Public Works, the Law Department, and any other relevant City departments and community partners to develop a Neighborhood Safety Additions Plan for the areas of the City previously served by ShotSpotter technology. POR 2026-120
PassedAdopted as Amended
Roll call 8 yes · 1 absentPatricia Nolan: Yes
Who voted how