Elimination of Single Family Zoning

WHEREAS:

Single-family only zoning is an unnecessary artifact of historically exclusionary housing practices, and two-family zoning can have similar effects; and

WHEREAS:

There is increasing need for housing production in Cambridge; and

WHEREAS:

Minneapolis became the first city in the country to eliminate single-family zoning throughout the city in 2019 in order to create more flexibility and increase the availability of housing units in all neighborhoods; now therefore be it

ORDERED:

That the NLTP Committee and Housing Committee convene a joint meeting to discuss the question of whether limiting parts of the city to single or two family only zoning should continue to have a place in our zoning ordinances; and be it further

ORDERED:

That the Committee chairs ensure that widespread notice be given to the community to include a broad spectrum of voices in the discussion; and be it further

ORDERED:

That the City Manager is requested to make available staff from relevant departments in order to discuss the implications for the city of such a proposal.