COF 2026-84 · Agenda item attachment · Jun 2 2026

COF 2026-84 FIRST IN COUNCIL June 2, 2026 City of Cambridge A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk

City of Cambridge A communication was received from Melissa Peters, Assistant City Manager for Community Development, transmitting a presentation related to Cambridge Street zoning.

Working Group January 2024 Neighborhood & Long-term Planning Committee Meeting: Cambridge Street 06/02/26

DISCUSSION TOPICS FOR CAMBRIDGE STREET 1. Urban Form 2. Open Space 3. Design review 4. Non-residential Uses

URBAN FORM: Current zoning includes design standards to improve the public realm 3 Existing narrow sidewalks on Cambridge Street. If new development occurs, look for opportunities to gain additional publicly accessible space along the sidewalk. • Small setbacks are required for new construction to allow for additional pedestrian space and amenities where appropriate. This reflects the recommendations of Citywide Urban Design Guidelines. • Additional sidewalk could also be used to enhance plantings or to provide enhanced ADA accessibility. • A development over 25K sf must plant street trees subject to DPW approval and in accordance with the Urban Forest Master Plan. 4’ setback

URBAN FORM – Current zoning allows six stories on most of Cambridge St 4

URBAN FORM – Setbacks were discussed and included for buildings over six stories. 5 A step-back after the fourth story introduces more dimensional restrictions than the multifamily zoning and would result in smaller upper story floorplates. This could compromise the amount of affordable housing units. Six story building with a 10ft step-back after the fourth story

URBAN FORM – There are current zoning standards for Upper Story Setbacks, aka “step- backs” 6 • Site plan standards table identifies where step-back (also called “Upper Story Setbacks") are required by district. • Currently, step-backs only exist in CAM-10 and CAM-12 districts. Minimum Upper Story Setbacks in feet for Cambridge St Districts CAM-6 CAM-10 CAM-12 Setback from Primary Street – Cambridge St, Hampshire St or Prospect St None 14’ above 75’ 44’ above 100’ 14’ above 75’ 44’ above 100’ Setback from Primary Street – Monsignor O’Brien Highway or North First St None 14’ above 100’ 14’ above 100’ Setback from Secondary Street None 10’ above 100’ 12’ above 75’ 32’ above 100’ Setback from Residence District Boundary None None 15’ above 75’

4 STORIES 6 STORIES Existing single-story buildings were modeled at 4 and 6 stories to show additional maximum shadows (winter solstice) illustrated in pink. URBAN FORM – Shadow studies from Our Cambridge Street plan

8 3-STORIES – Existing context 6-STORIES – Allowable height URBAN FORM: Massing and shadow comparison – 3 vs 6 story buildings

CREATING POCKET PARKS 9 • Height is used to incentivize pocket parks in the zoning. Any development above 6 stories is required to provide 15% publicly accessible open space. • Since the height is limited to 6 stories for most of the corridor, that largely applies to the Lechmere (CAM-10) and Webster/Windsor (CAM-12) sub-districts. • There are different ways property owners can contribute towards providing a meaningful public realm – both permanent and flexible temporary spaces. STEWARDSHIP - MINI PLAZA TEMPORARY - PARKING LOT ON-SITE – 15% OPEN SPACE

Cambridge Street Court/Yard - A temporary pocket park on City-owned land Before – An vacant gravel lot owned by the City that was inactive space. After – A City-owned pocket park with planting, shade, flexible seating and tables. In the future it will transform into a permanent park

DESIGN REVIEW FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT OVER 4 STORIES 11 • Cambridge Street Districts are considered “Areas of Special Planning Concern”. Most development must go through some kind of advisory review: • Staff Advisory Consultation: 0-2,000 sf (non-residential only) • Public Advisory Consultation: 2,000-50,000 sf • Planning Board Advisory Consultation: 50,000-75,000 sf • Buildings over 4 stories would require, at least, a Public Advisory Consultation. This is a public meeting with public comment and staff comment. • Residential uses greater than 75,000 sf need a project review special permit.

Building Use • This is an allowed use in most districts except residential districts. • There are other building/fire code regulations that would apply differently depending on size of building and type of use. Building Size • New lab buildings require building footprints that are too large for the vast majority parcels on Cambridge St. • Most parcels on Cambridge St are only 100 feet deep. • Lab uses are limited to a height of 3 stories or 35 feet. • Non-residential uses are limited to an FAR of 1.0 LAB USES ON CAMBRIDGE STREET Existing 3-story lab building on Cambridge Street. It was formerly an office building.

ENCOURAGING LOCAL RETAIL 13 While zoning cannot regulate businesses by ownership, e.g. chains vs. local, the city does provide a variety of programs that are aimed at local businesses including financial and educational/technical support. Financial: • Storefront Improvement Program Reimburses funding for exterior façade renovations and ADA accessibility upgrades. • Small Business Enhancement Program Offers reimbursement grants to retail, restaurant, home-based, and creative businesses for equipment, marketing materials, or interior improvements. • Retail Interior Accessibility Program Supports interior renovations making businesses more sensory and physically accessible • Small Business E-Commerce Program Supports online and digital marketing improvements.

ENCOURAGING LOCAL RETAIL 14 Educational/Technical Support: • Small Business Coaching Program Provides eligible small businesses with up to 4 hours of free, one-on-one sessions with industry experts in financial planning, restaurant operations, marketing, legal setups, succession planning, and more . • Business Development Workshops Free, city-organized workshops cover topics such as marketing, social media, supplier diversity, e-commerce, accounting, and starting a business. These are open to all Cambridge small businesses. • Small Business Succession Planning Program Offers resources and events to help business owners transition ownership—via selling, employee buyouts, or succession strategies. • Site Search and Vacant Storefront Program Track ground floor vacant storefront data, provide site location services to businesses interested in locating or expanding in Cambridge, and connect eligible businesses to the Vacant Storefront Tax Program (state program).

THANKS!