A report submitted by the Planning Board regarding the Family Definition Zoning Petition

The Planning Board recommends ADOPTION, with minor

corrections. To the Honorable, the City Council, On May 7, 2024, the Planning Board (the "Board") held a public hearing to discuss a Zoning Petition by the City Council to amend Articles 2.000, 4.000, 5.000, 6.000, 11.000, 13.000, 14.000, 17.000, 20.000, and 22.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance to remove references to "degree of kinship" from the definitions of "Family" and "Lodging House" and make related changes to residential use definitions.

The Board received written materials before the hearing from Community Development Department (CDD) staff, heard a presentation from CDD staff, heard public comment, and asked clarifying questions of CDD staff and the Acting City Solicitor. After discussion among Board members, the Board voted unanimously to send a positive recommendation to the City Council. Board members agreed that this Petition is a positive step to bring the code up to current standards and address an issue of concern to the LGBTQ+ community.

Board members also appreciated the thoroughness of the petition and the effort to provide clearer definitions, which will help the ordinance work better but is difficult to do without having unintended consequences. Board members noted some minor inconsistencies to be fixed and recommended that staff review those inconsistencies and provide a revised text to the Council with corrections. The Planning Board voted 6-0 in favor of transmitting the above report. Respectfully submitted for the Planning Board,

Tom trement

Tom Sieniewicz, Vice Chair. Page 1 of 1

Zoning Petition Text - Planning Board Recommended Edits