CMA 2026-219 · Agenda item attachment · Aug 3 2026

344 Broadway, Cambridge [phone removed] cddat344@cambridgema.gov Melissa Peters | Assistant City Manager for Community Development Sandra Clarke | Chief of Administration & Operations Jennifer Caira | Deputy Chief of Planning To: Yi-An Huang, City Manager From: Melissa Peters, Assistant City Manager for Community Development Date: July 24, 2026 Re: Revised Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning Petition We are pleased to transmit the attached revised Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning Petition for the Council’s consideration. This revision comes at the end of the required public hearing phase for the petition, which included a hearing at the Planning Board on June 2, 2026, and two meetings of the Ordinance Committee on June 16 and July 7, 2026. The Planning Board voted to forward a report with no recommendation to the City Council, which was transmitted on June 22, 2026. The revisions reflect the changes discussed and approved by the Ordinance Committee at its meeting on July 7, 2026. Summary of Revisions • Revised ordinance text to apply ground story active use requirements in new buildings taller than 3 stories only in Lechmere (CAM-10) and the Webster/Windsor area (CAM-12). • The rest of Cambridge Street (CAM-6) would have no active use requirement for new buildings of any height, which represents no change from existing zoning regulations. • No zoning map amendments needed. Next Steps If the City Council chooses to accept the proposed changes, it can vote to amend the petition by substitution before passing it to a second reading at the August 3, 2026 meeting, which would allow the Council to take final action on September 14, 2026. The petition will expire on September 14, 2026.