Ordinance Committee
A committee of the whole — the Mayor and eight City Councillors. Five members are a quorum. Charge per the Rules of the City Council, adopted June 1, 2026.
What it takes up
- To consider the merit of any ordinance presented to the City Council and to consider the form and legality thereof;
- To consider all legal matters for which no other provision is made; and
- To represent general interests of the City before committees of the General Court when so authorized by a vote of the City Council.
Current members 2026–27
Marc McGovernCo-Chair
Jivan Sobrinho-WheelerCo-Chair
Ayah Al-ZubiMember
Burhan AzeemMember
Tim FlahertyMember
Patty NolanMember
E. Denise SimmonsMember
Cathie ZusyMember
Sumbul SiddiquiMemberMembership per City Council Committee Assignments 2026-2027 (City of Cambridge) · sources & meeting inventory
Meetings
Every meeting since 2018, newest first. 11 meetings known but lacking minutes: see Missing minutes.
2026 (5 meetings)
June
16TueMeetingThe Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 16 · COF 2026 #89 · A communication has been received from Evan Spetrini, Z · ORD 2026 #5 · April
6MonMeetingThe Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on April 6, 2026 to · COF 2026 #53 · A communication was received from Evan Spetrini, SeniorMarch
30MonMeetingThe Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to review the Commu · COF 2026 #48 · A communication was received from Sandra Clarke, Chief · CMA 2026 #45 ·11WedMeetingThe Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to have a conversat · COF 2026 #25 · A communication was received from Evan Spetrini, SeniorFebruary
10TueMeetingThe Petition proposes changes to Section 4.50 of the Cambridge Zoning · CMA 2025 #288 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · CMA 2026 #30 ·2025 (14 meetings)
December
2TueMeetingCOF 2025 #146 · a presentation related to the Massachusetts Avenue andNovember
13ThuMeetingCOF 2025 #141 · a Planning Board report relative to the Massachusetts · COF 2025 #142 · a Planning Board report relative to the Cambridge StreOctober
30ThuMeetingCOF 2025 #138 · a presentation relative to the Massachusetts Avenue Zo · CMA 2025 #234 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · CMA 2025 #235 7TueMeetingCOM 3374 #2025 · a presentation related to the Martin Bakal et al. Zon · COF 2025 #128 · the Planning Board report on the Bakal et al. Zoning P · COF 2025 #129 September
30TueMeetingCOF 2025 #125 · a presentation related to amendments to the Cambridge · CMA 2025 #175 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · Accepted by thAugust
27WedMeetingCMA 2025 #176 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · COF 2025 #111 · a presentation related to the Short-Term Rental Zoning · COF 2025 #112 July
28MonMeetingCMA 2025 #181 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · COF 2025 #103 · proposed changes to Chapter 2.129, Welcoming Community · Accepted by thJune
18WedMeetingCOF 2025 #97 · a response to Awaiting Report 25-23 of June 2, 2025 · COM 2905 #2025 · a presentation related to Zoning Petition by Mushla M · Accepted by the CiMay
20TueMeetingAPP 2025 #11 · A Zoning Amendment Petition Has been received from Mush · APP 2025 #14 · A Zoning Amendment Petition Has been received from BMR- · COF 2025 #84 ·7WedMeetingORD 2025 # 6 · An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. · ORD 2025 # 5 · An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relativ · COF 2025 #76 ·April
30WedMeetingORD 2025 # 9 · An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. · COF 2025 #71 · a presentation related to the Floodplain Zoning Petitio · Accepted by th29TueMeetingORD 2025 # 7 · An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. · COF 2025 #70 · a presentation related to the Affordable Housing Overla · Accepted by thMarch
31MonMeetingCMA 2025 #16 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Mana · Accepted by the City Council on 2025-04-07 · Report Accepted [UnanimouJanuary
16ThuMeetingCOF 2025 #7 · a presentation related to Multifamily Housing Citywide · COF 2025 #8 · a response to Policy Order 2024 #163 and Policy Order 20 · COF 2025 #9 · re2024 (11 meetings)
December
4WedMeetingCOF 2024 #152 · Cambridge Multifamily Housing Zoning Petitions Frequen · Accepted by the City Council on 2025-01-06 · Accepted3TueMeetingCOF 2024 #151 · a presentation relative to the Cycling Safety Ordinanc · ORD 2024 # 8 · An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relativ · Accepted by thNovember
21ThuMeetingORD 2024 # 5 · An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relativ · ORD 2024 # 6 · An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relativ · ORD 2024 # 7 ·19TueMeetingCOF 2024 #144 · a presentation regarding the Citywide Multifamily Hous · POR 2024 #132 · That the Council accept Multi Family Zoning Petition - · POR 2024 #133 October
29TueMeetingCMA 2024 #182 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · CMA 2024 #227 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · POR 2024 #141 15TueMeetingCOF 2024 #131 · a memo from the Community Development Department to th · Accepted by the City Council on 2024-11-04 · Accepted [Unanimous]June
20ThuMeetingCMA 2024 #68 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Mana · COF 2024 #89 · a proposed amendment · Accepted by the City Council on 2024-08-05 · RepoMay
28TueMeetingCOM 2072 #2024 · a presentation regarding multifamily housing · COF 2024 #75 · a report from the Community Development Department to t · APP 2024 #14 · A Citize22WedMeetingAPP 2024 #12 · A Zoning Petition has been received from the City Counc · CMA 2024 #107 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · COF 2024 #72 ·21TueMeetingCOM 2071 #2024 · a presentation regarding Citizen's Zoning Petition by · COF 2024 #70 · a presentation regarding the Griffin-Shepherd, et al. C · COF 2024 #71 ·March
14ThuMeetingCMA 2024 #27 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Mana · Accepted by the City Council on 2024-03-25 · Report Accepted [Unanimou2023 (25 meetings)
December
6WedMeetingPOR 2023 #147 · That the City Manager is requested to report back to t · CMA 2023 #256 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · Accepted by thNovember
29WedMeetingAPP 2023 #51 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Allene R. Pier · COF 2023 #202 · a memo from the Community Development Department to th · COF 2023 #215 28TueMeetingCOF 2023 #206 · updated proposed BEUDO amendments · COF 2023 #213 · a response from the Law Department regarding Council O · COF 2023 #214 · a memo from the ComOctober
10TueMeetingCOF 2023 #159 · A communication was received from Diane LeBlanc, City · Accepted by the City Council on 2023-10-16 · Accepted4WedMeetingORD 2023 # 6 · An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relativ · Accepted by the City Council on 2023-10-16 · AcceptedSeptember
20WedMeetingCOF 2023 #141 · a proposed amendment to BEUDO related to Covered Prope · Accepted by the City Council on 2023-10-02 · Accepted [Unanimous]12TueMeetingPOR 2023 #97 · That the “Amendments to Protect Family Inclusion and Re · COF 2023 #152 · recommended amendments · COF 2023 #153 · a response from the Cambridge August
3ThuMeetingCOF 2023 #134 · a presentation regarding the Affordable Housing Overla1TueMeetingCOF 2023 #130 · proposed Ordinance 2023-3 relative to amending the Mun · COF 2023 #131 · a redline version of proposed language for Ordinance 2 · COF 2023 #132 July
31MonMeetingCMA 2023 #158 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · Accepted by the City Council on 2023-09-11 · Accepted [Unanimous]19WedMeetingAPP 2023 #32 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from the full City · COF 2023 #126 · a presentation regarding the Alewife Overlay District · COF 2023 #127 June
27TueMeetingAPP 2023 #23 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from the full City · COF 2023 #118 · a presentation regarding removing the Retail Cannabis · COF 2023 #119 21WedMeetingCOF 2023 #97 · PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2022-11, HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND LAND · COF 2023 #109 · a document regarding proposed Ordinance 2022-11, HistoMay
24WedMeetingAPP 2023 #11 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Charles Jessup · a presentation titled Restore Cambridge Housing Zoning Petition · a document titled Cor3WedMeetingAPP 2023 #9 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Craig Kelley re · COF 2023 #82 · the Planning Board makes the following report with no p · COF 2023 #86 ·April
26WedMeetingCMA 2023 #88 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Mana · COF 2023 #75 · , Historic Buildings and Landmarks, Ordinance 2022-11, · COF 2023 #76 ·13ThuMeetingAPP 2023 #12 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Michael Monest · COF 2023 #69 · Council Order Response to the Monestime et al Citizens · COM 858 #2023 12WedMeetingCOF 2023 #65 · a presentation regarding Regulating Building Emissions · COF 2023 #66 · a presentation regarding BUEDO Options Summary Proposed · Accepted by thMarch
7TueMeetingPOR 2022 #35 · Amendment to Chapter 2.78 of the Cambridge Code of Ordi · POR 2022 #309 · That the memo from Charles Sullivan regarding Comments · revised languaFebruary
28TueMeetingCOM 432 #2023 · the updated memo, letter of commitment, and attachment · CMA 2023 #63 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Mana · Accepted by th15WedMeetingPOR 2022 #22 · Amend Section 2.66 of the Municipal Code to add a new s · COF 2023 #34 · proposed Green Jobs Ordinance language · Accepted by the City Council on14TueMeetingCMA 2023 #34 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Mana · COF 2023 #33 · the Planning Board recommends ADOPTION, with additional · COM 328 #2023 January
26ThuMeetingCMA 2022 #34 · A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, C · COF 2023 #18 · the full amendment of the considered adoption of the Cl · COF 2023 #19 ·4WedMeetingAPP 2022 #53 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Duane Callende · COF 2023 #2 · Planning Board report · COF 2023 #4 · a memorandum from Community Develop3TueMeetingAPP 2022 #52 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Patrick Barret · COM 1 #2023 · a presentation BA-5 Zoning Petition · COF 2023 #1 · the Planning Board re2022 (19 meetings)
December
14WedMeetingAttachment F of CMA 2022 #207 · COM 1118 #2022 · Harvard Square Zoning Petition Amendment Planning Boa · COF 2022 #159 · Blier, et al., Zoning Petition6TueMeetingCOF 2022 #161 · a copy of Ordinance #2022-20 and a Planning Board repo · COF 2022 #162 · : 1) Council Ord Rsp Ltd Svs Preg Ctrs 12-6-22 and 2) · Accepted by thOctober
26WedMeetingIncentive Zoning Section 11.202(d) of Article 11.000 SPECIAL REGULATIO19WedMeetingPOR 2022 #22 · Amend Section 2.66 of the Municipal Code to add a new sSeptember
21WedMeetingCMA 2022 #179 · A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Man · COF 2022 #114 · a copy of Policy Order from June 27, 2022 City Council · COF 2022 #115 20TueMeetingPOR 2022 #132 · Fur Sales Ban (Ordinance #2022-17).PASSED TO A SECOND · POR 2022 #131 · Banning Limited Services Pregnancy Centers (Ordinance · COF 2022 #112 14WedMeetingPOR 2022 #14 · Wage Theft Ordinance (Ordinance #2022-3) · COF 2022 #97 · amendments to the Cambridge Wage Theft Ordinance receiv · COF 2022 #98 · amendments to 7WedMeetingCOF 2022 #99 · a response to Council Order No. O-15 of August 1, 2022 · COF 2022 #100 · a response to Policy Order #9 from August 1, 2022 requ · COF 2022 #101 ·August
3WedMeetingPOR 2022 #19 · That section 6.36 entitled, Schedule of Parking and Loa · Accepted by the City Council on 2022-09-12 · Accepted [Unanimous]July
27WedMeetingCOF 2022 #86 · A communication was received from Iram Farooq Assistant · COF 2022 #88 · a presentation regarding the Incentive Rate Zoning Peti · Accepted by th26TueMeetingCOF 2022 #87 · an updated presentation regarding BUEDO dated for July · Accepted by the City Council on 2022-09-12 · Accepted [Unanimous]June
29WedMeetingAPP 2022 #16 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Craig A. Kelle · COM 564 #2022 · Suggested modifications to EV charging, vehicle share · POR 2022 #150 22WedMeetingCOF 2022 #78 · suggested amended language to Ordinance Number 1360 (#2 · COF 2022 #79 · a presentation regarding BUEDO · COM 565 #2022 · Sundry communications wApril
13WedMeetingCMA 2022 #10 · A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, C · Accepted by the City Council on 2023-02-06 · Accepted [Unanimous]7ThuMeetingCOF 2022 #42 · a presentation regarding the zoning petition to tempora · COF 2022 #43 · a memorandum regarding the Alewife Overlay Development · Accepted by th6WedMeetingPOR 2022 #23 · Amendment to Article 22 of the Zoning Ordinance of the · Accepted by the City Council on 2022-06-06 · Accepted [Unanimous]March
30WedMeetingPOR 2022 #14 · Wage Theft Ordinance (Ordinance #2022-3) · COF 2022 #64 · A communication was received from Councillor Zondervan · Accepted by the City Council 9WedMeetingPOR 2022 #2 · That Article 20.90- Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 of the · presentation for the Ordinance Committee meeting on March 9, 2022 · A communication wasFebruary
9WedMeetingCOF 2022 #18 · a memorandum regarding BEUDO Amendments · a presentation · a presentation for the Ordinance Committee meeting on February 9, 20222021 (27 meetings)
December
15WedMeetingAPP 2021 #44 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Karen Cushing, · Ordinance Committee meeting on December 15, 2021 · Accepted by the City Council on 20228WedMeetingAPP 2021 #43 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Michael Jeremy · Building Better Affordable Housing Supporting & Improving the AHO Setb · A communicatioNovember
16TueMeetingAPP 2021 #41 · ORDINANCE 2021-17: A Zoning Petition Has been received · the Advancing Housing Affordability (AHA) citizens petition · A communication was receiSeptember
29WedMeetingAPP 2021 #26 · A petition was received from Loren Crowe, requesting th · COM 509 #2021 · express my opposition to this proposal in the stronges · COM 522 #2021 21TueMeetingPOR 2021 #113 · That the City Council amend the Article 22 of the Zoni · COF 2021 #84 · a presentation for the Special meeting of the City Coun · Accepted by th9ThuMeetingPOR 2021 #157 · That the Chairs of the Ordinance Committee convene a h · a memorandum for the Ordinance Committee meeting on September 9, 2021 · Accepted by the1WedMeetingPOR 2021 #147 · That the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge be · COF 2021 #75 · a memorandum regarding Post-Operative Animal Care Zonin · Accepted by thJuly
28WedMeetingPOR 2021 #113 · That the City Council amend the Article 22 of the Zoni · the Planning Board Report relative to the Article 22.000 Emissions Acc · Accepted by th26MonMeetingPOR 2020 #253 · The Cambridge City Council direct the City Manager to · a communication for the July 26, 2021 Ordinance Committee · concerns about campaign FinJune
10ThuMeetingSundry communications about the Missing Middle Petition · A communication was received from Allan Sadun transmitting a presentat · Accepted by the City Council 2WedMeetingPOR 2021 #51 · Order to amend the Municipal Code of the City of Cambri · COF 2021 #56 · a communication regarding attendance · COF 2021 #57 · letters of supportMay
12WedMeetingCMA 2021 #52 · A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, C · COF 2021 #48 · A communication was received from Daniel Messplay, AICP · Accepted by thApril
29ThuMeetingAPP 2021 #7 · ORDINANCE 2021-6: A Zoning Petition Has been received fr · COM 227 #2021 · Broad Canal Subdistrict Ordinance Committee Presentati · Accepted by th28WedMeetingCMA 2021 #50 · A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, C · a communication from the Committee for Public Planting · Accepted by the City Council o14WedMeetingPOR 2021 #25 · Retail Table of Land Use Update PO. PASSED TO A SECOND · a presentation for the Ordinance Committee · A communication was received from Councill8ThuMeetingAPP 2021 #3 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Carolyn Fuller · the Missing Middle Zoning petition · a presentation for Ordinance Committee Hearing on 1ThuMeeting March
31WedMeetingCOM 160 #2021 · the Proposed Green Roofs Amendment · A communication was received from Nancy E. Donohue, Director of Govern · potential amendments to the Green 10WedMeetingCOF 2021 #23 · a draft response to Council Order No. O-10 of July 27, · Accepted by the City Council on 2021-06-21 · Accepted [Unanimous]February
24WedMeetingPOR 2020 #240 · That the City Council adopt a municipal ordinance to r · POR 2020 #253 · The Cambridge City Council direct the City Manager to · Accepted by th16TueMeetingCOM 65 #2021 · Quad NW AOD1 Commitment Letter · questions for the Ordinance Committee meeting on February 16, 2021 · COM 66 #2021 · MassDOT Alewife Bridge Zonin11ThuMeetingCMA 2021 #3 · A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, Ci · Accepted by the City Council on 2021-03-22 · Accepted [Unanimous]10WedMeetinga Financial Assessment of a Zoning Petition to Modify the Alewife Quad · two presentations for the Ordinance Committee meeting on February 10, · a presentation4ThuMeetingAPP 2020 #46 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Amy Oliver, re · A communication was received from Melissa Ludtke transmitting a presen · a staff memoraJanuary
27WedMeetinga financial analysis of the proposed MXD amendments · MXD Financial Analysis Presentation from Karl Seidman · Accepted by the City Council on 2021-09-13 · Accep20WedMeetingCMA 2020 #293 · A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, · A communication was received from Alexander Chen, Founding Director, H · COF 2021 #20 ·5TueMeetingA communication was received from Ian Hatch, Project Manager at Boston · A communication was received from Tom Evans, Executive Director of Cam · Accepted by th2020 (12 meetings)
December
16WedMeetingAPP 2020 #39 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Arvind Sriniva · a communication for the December 16, 2020 meeting of the Ordinance Com · a memorandum f9WedMeetingPOR 2020 #217 · Cannabis Delivery-Only Zoning Ordinance. REFERRED TO O · a report for the Ordinance Committee · Accepted by the City Council on 2021-05-03 · AccNovember
19ThuMeetingAPP 2020 #35 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Cambridge Rede · COM 779 #2020 · a presentation for the Ordinance Committee on November · A communicatio12ThuMeetingAPP 2020 #34 · A Zoning Petition has been received from BMR–Third LLC · COM 761 #2020 · PUD-CDK Zoning Amendment Petition the Zoning Petition · COM 762 #2020 ·October
28WedMeetingPOR 2020 #174 · That the Cambridge City Council pass the attached Real · a memorandum for the Ordinance Committee meeting on October 28, 2020 · Accepted by the 21WedMeetingCMA 2020 #52 · A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, C · the Harvard Square Conservation District Report · the Harvard Square Conservation DistrAugust
26WedMeetingPOR 2020 #147 · Green Energy Analysis Zoning Amendment. PASSED TO A SE · the Fossil Fuel Ordinance · the Fossil Fuel Zoning Ordinance19WedMeetingthe Affordable Housing Overlay · A communication was received from Councillor Dennis J. Carlone regardi · A communication was received from Vice-Mayor Alanna MaJuly
8WedMeetingPOR 2020 #129 · 100% Affordable Housing Overlay Zoning Petition 2020. · A presentation was received from Councillor McGovern regarding the Aff · A presentation7TueMeetingPOR 2020 #50 · That the “2020 Cycling Safety Ordinance” be forwarded t · A communication was received from Joseph Barr, Director of Traffic, Pa · Accepted by thFebruary
5WedMeetingCOM 46 #2020 · A communication was received from Pamela Van Dort and J · COM 47 #2020 · an updated version of the Commitment Letter that includ · Alexandria GraJanuary
30ThuMeetingthe Harvard Square Overlay District Zoning Petition2019 (23 meetings)
December
11WedMeetingPOR 2019 #339 · That the City Manager is requested to direct the City · the proposed Prohibition of Natural Gas Infrastructure in New Building · A communicatio10TueMeetingPOR 2019 #349 · Amendment to Chapter 8.12 of the Municipal Ordinances · the proposed zoning amendments to Articles 2.000 and 4.32 of the Cambr · the proposed MNovember
14ThuMeetingCOF 2019 #59 · Planning Board recommendation on the CambridgeSide Gall · A communication was received from Dr. James Spencer in support of the · A communicatio12TueMeetingCMA 2019 #256 · A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, · A presentation was received from the Staff of the Community Developmen · CMA 2019 #257 October
23WedMeetingAPP 2019 #70 · A Zoning Petition Has been received from Ben LoVemere r · A presentation was received from J. Doherty, representing the Petition · Accepted by th22TueMeetingAPP 2019 #52 · A petition was received from Stephan Badige et al, rega · Extending Demolition Delay to 12 months · Accepted by the City Council on 2019-11-04 · 16WedMeetingPOR 2019 #286 · That the proposed amendments to Title IV, Chapter 5.20 · A communication was received from City Solicitor Nancy Glowa regarding · Accepted by th3ThuMeetingPOR 2019 #251 · That the proposed zoning amendments to Articles 2.00 a2WedMeetingPOR 2019 #164 · Welcoming Community Ordinance · A communication was received from Councillor Carlone transmitting comm · Accepted by the City Council on 2019-10September
26ThuMeetingPOR 2019 #206 · That the proposed Special Permit Criteria amendments t · A communication was received from the Community Development Department · APP 2019 #67 ·18WedMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-09-23 · Report Accepted10TueMeetingAPP 2019 #75 · A Zoning Petition has been received from Alexandria Rea · Accepted by the City Council on 2019-09-23 · Report Accepted3TueMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-09-09 · Tabled [Unanimous]August
14WedMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-09-23 · Report Accepted13TueMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-09-09 · Report AcceptedJune
27ThuMeeting 26WedMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-07-30 · Report Accepted And PlaceMay
28TueMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-06-17 · Report Accepted And Place1WedMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-06-10 · Report Accepted And PlaceFebruary
27WedMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-03-18 · Passed To A Second Readin5TueMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-02-25 · Report Accepted And PlaceJanuary
30WedMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-03-04 · Report Accepted And Place15TueMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2019-02-04 · Report Accepted And Place2018 (2 meetings)
August
16ThuMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2018-09-17 · Report Accepted8WedMeetingAccepted by the City Council on 2018-09-17 · Report Accepted