Cambridge, MA

Climate Committee Public Meeting

The Cambridge Climate Committee is meeting to review the Office of Sustainability's FY 2027 Work Plan, including its scope, goals, criteria, and draft comments. The committee will also set up a sub-committee to onboard new members and hear public comment. Future topics include the FY26 Net Zero Action Plan review and meetings with the City Manager.

• Review of OoS FY 2027 Work Plan (scope, goals, criteria, draft comments)
• Set up sub-committee to onboard new members
• Public comment period
• Upcoming: FY26 NZAP Review in September/October
• Future topics: Food Systems, BEUDO update, MassSave programs, flooding issues

Cambridge Social Housing Joint Task Force

The Cambridge Social Housing Joint Task Force is holding a regular meeting on August 26, 2026, at the Bayard Rustin Conference Room. The agenda contains no substantive items—only meeting logistics, virtual access instructions, and a note that there will be no public comment. The meeting is expected to adjourn without discussion of specific proposals.

• No public comment at this meeting
• Meeting held at Bayard Rustin Conference Room, 344 Broadway
• Virtual access via Zoom link provided

Affordable Housing Trust Meeting

The Affordable Housing Trust Board will hold its monthly meeting in person and via Zoom. The agenda and materials will be posted on the trust's webpage. No specific items for discussion or decision are listed in the provided text.

• Meeting scheduled for August 27, 2026 at 4 p.m. in the Ackermann Room at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave
• Meeting accessible via Zoom webinar with registration required

August Pedestrian Committee Meeting

Community Preservation Act Committee Regular Meeting

The committee will review project requests and FY27 finances. Members are scheduled to vote on allocation percentages and specific projects.

• Review of FY27 finances
• Vote on allocation percentages
• Vote on projects

Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities Meeting

The agenda for this meeting is currently procedural boilerplate. No specific discussion items or decisions have been listed.

Regular City Council Meeting

The agenda for this meeting is procedural boilerplate and contains no specific items for decision or discussion.

Planning Board Meeting

Joint Housing and Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee Meeting

The Housing/Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committees are continuing a joint public hearing from June 25, 2026, on the 2025 Multifamily Zoning Amendments. They will consider potential modifications and review Policy Order 2026-123, which requests a feasibility analysis of proposed amendments to the Multifamily Zoning Ordinance. No public comment will be taken at this meeting.

• Continuation of recessed June 25, 2026 joint public hearing on 2025 Multifamily Zoning Amendments
• Review of POR 2026-123, requesting feasibility analysis of proposed multifamily zoning amendments
• No public comment period scheduled

Department of Public Works testing meeting

This is a testing meeting of the Cambridge Department of Public Works, with no substantive agenda items listed. It is procedural only.

Regular City Council Meeting-CANCELLED

This regular City Council meeting scheduled for September 21, 2026, has been cancelled. The agenda contains no items for discussion or decision.

City Council Public Hearing - Property Tax Rate Classification

The Cambridge City Council is holding a public hearing to review and vote on proposed property tax rates and classifications for Fiscal Year 2027, as recommended by the City Manager and Board of Assessors. The votes will set tax rates for residential and commercial/industrial properties and decide on the residential exemption. Residents can comment in person or via Zoom.

• Review of proposed FY2027 property tax rates and classifications
• Vote on residential vs. commercial/industrial tax rate split
• Decision on granting the residential exemption
• Public comments accepted from interested citizens and taxpayers

Regular City Council Meeting

This is the agenda for the Cambridge City Council regular meeting on September 28, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Sullivan Chamber. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate with no specific items listed for decision or discussion.

Regular City Council Meeting

This is the agenda for the Cambridge City Council regular meeting on October 5, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Sullivan Chamber. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate with no specific items listed.

The Ordinance Committee

The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on a zoning petition to amend the Short-Term Rental Ordinance. Proposed changes include clarifying language, new registration requirements, time restrictions, and enhanced enforcement. The City Manager also transmitted an awaiting report on updates to the ordinance.

• Public hearing on zoning petition to amend Article 4.60 Short-Term Rental Ordinance
• City Manager communication on Awaiting Report AR 26-04 regarding Short-Term Rental Ordinance updates

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors is holding a routine public meeting with no abatement or exemption reports to approve. The board will review minutes from the prior meeting and then enter an executive session to discuss residential and personal exemptions.

• No abatement and exemption reports
• No abatements for real or personal property
• No omit/revise/re-bill items
• Executive session to review Residential Exemptions & Personal Exemptions

The Board of Assessors met via Zoom and reviewed the August 12, 2026 minutes. No abatement or exemption reports were approved, and no abatements or omit/revise/re-bill actions were taken for real or personal property. The board then adjourned to executive session to review residential and personal exemptions.

• Approved August 12, 2026 minutes
• No abatement or exemption reports approved
• No abatements for real or personal property
• No omit/revise/re-bill actions for real or personal property
• Adjourned to executive session for residential and personal exemptions

Harvard Square Advisory Committee (HSAC) Meeting

The Harvard Square Advisory Committee will review a special permit application for a 7th Street Burger fast-food restaurant at 37 Brattle Street and prepare a recommendation for the Board of Zoning Appeal. The meeting also includes committee member updates and adjournment.

• BZA special permit application for formula business quick-service food establishment at 37 Brattle Street (7th Street Burger)
• Proposed 954 sq ft ground floor retail space with 1,053 sq ft basement storage
• HSAC recommendation to be submitted to the BZA

Board of Election Commissioners

The Board of Election Commissioners is meeting to discuss preparations for the 2026 election, including updates from the Executive and Assistant Directors. They will review minutes from the previous meeting, hear public comment, and address old and new business items such as vote-by-mail updates, in-person early voting, advance processing, and election morning deliveries.

• Review of August 5, 2026 minutes
• Updates on 2026 election from Executive Director
• 2026 Statement of Financial Interests update
• State Primary Vote by Mail update
• State Primary In Person Early Voting and Advance Processing

American Freedmen Commission Community Outreach Subcommittee Meeting

The Community Outreach Subcommittee of the American Freedmen Commission is meeting to review status updates, including the City Solicitor's review timeline for the American Freedmen definition and the community comment web form. They will discuss Juneteenth and Black History Month 2027 initiatives, strategic outreach priorities for FY27, and a brochure revision. The agenda is largely discussion-oriented, with no votes or decisions listed.

• Status update on City Solicitor review of American Freedmen definition
• Implementation update on community comment web form and QR code
• Review of March 2026 Juneteenth proposal and alignment with Commission
• Discussion of Black History Month 2027 initial concepts and coordination
• Exploration of graphic designers for future outreach materials, with staff to obtain quotes and negotiate prices

Board of Assessors Meeting

The Board of Assessors is meeting to review and approve minutes from August 5, 2026, and to note that there are no abatement or exemption reports for this cycle. The board will also hold an executive session to review residential and personal exemptions as allowed by state law. No public comment is solicited during general business.

• No abatement and exemption reports
• No abatements for real and personal property
• No omit/revise/re-bill items for real and personal property
• Executive session to review residential and personal exemptions

CSO Control & Stormwater Management Advisory Committee Kick-off Meeting

The committee is meeting to establish its charter and expectations for how the group will operate. Members will review the history of combined sewer overflows (CSO) and stormwater in Cambridge and brainstorm a future workplan.

• Review and discussion of the draft committee charter
• Historical review of CSO and stormwater work in Cambridge
• Brainstorming of topics for the committee workplan

Public Art Commission - Regular Meeting

This is a regular meeting of the Cambridge Public Arts Commission. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and no specific items for decision or discussion are listed.

Conservation Commission August 10, 2026

The Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on a Notice of Intent for residential redevelopment in the floodplain at 3-4 Seagrave Rd. (DEP File #123-330). The meeting also includes review of July 23 meeting minutes and a site visit report for Jerry’s Pond, plus scheduling the next meeting for August 24, 2026.

• Public hearing on Notice of Intent DEP File #123-330 for residential redevelopment in the floodplain at 3-4 Seagrave Rd.
• Review of July 23, 2026 meeting minutes and Jerry’s Pond site visit
• Next meeting scheduled for August 24, 2026 on Zoom

The Cambridge Conservation Commission met on August 10, 2026, via Zoom. The only substantive item was a public hearing on a Notice of Intent for residential redevelopment in the floodplain at 3-4 Seagrave Rd (DEP File #123-330). No decision was recorded in the minutes; the hearing was held, and the item was not voted on or approved. The commission also reviewed minutes from a July 23, 2026 site visit to Jerry's Pond and scheduled its next meeting for August 24, 2026.

• Held public hearing on Notice of Intent for 3-4 Seagrave Rd floodplain redevelopment (no vote recorded)
• Reviewed July 23, 2026 meeting minutes for Jerry's Pond site visit
• Scheduled next meeting for August 24, 2026 on Zoom

CANCELED - August Transit Advisory Committee Meeting

The Cambridge Transit Advisory Committee will hold a hybrid meeting on August 6, 2026, to discuss updates to its endorsed implementation plan, consider a response to a Healthpeak Committee letter, and elect new leadership. The meeting also includes public comment periods and brief updates on city and state transit projects.

• Workshop to brainstorm updates to TAC-endorsed transit implementation plan
• Vote on whether to write a response letter to Healthpeak Committee presentation
• Committee leadership elections
• Public comment periods (5 minutes each)
• City and State project updates discussion

Cambridge Historical Commission Regular Meeting

The Cambridge Historical Commission will hold public hearings to consider the demolition of three historic structures. The body will review applications for houses built between 1844 and 1892.

• Case D-1827: Substantial demolition of house (1847) at 146 Spring St.
• Case D-1826: Demolition of double house (1892) at 178-180 Elm St. NC
• Case D-1801: Amended plan for full demolition of front house (1844) at 78 Thorndike St.

Roundtable/Working Meeting City Council Meeting

The City Council will hold a roundtable/working meeting to discuss current and future use of artificial intelligence to improve city services, including comparative examples. The discussion will focus on ensuring AI aligns with city values, complies with legal and privacy requirements, and benefits employees and the public.

• Discussion of ongoing and future AI use in city services
• Review of comparative examples from other municipalities
• Ensuring AI compliance with legal and privacy requirements
• Aligning AI use with City values and public benefit

Cambridge Social Housing Joint Task Force Meeting

The Cambridge Social Housing Joint Task Force will meet to review existing housing programs and discuss how a new social housing initiative could address identified gaps. Members will examine the benefits and challenges of current programs and consider how a social‑housing program would differ. The agenda includes a Housing Department presentation and planning of next steps.

• Housing Department presentation – existing programs and policies
• Discussion of benefits and challenges of existing programs
• Discussion of gaps that a social housing program could fill
• Discussion of how a social housing program would differ from existing programs
• Planning next steps, including future meeting date and material access

Board of Election Commissioners

The Cambridge Board of Election Commissioners will hold a remote meeting to review minutes from its July 22 session, receive updates on the 2026 elections, and discuss election worker trainings. Commissioners will also hear reports on financial interests and address checks, and receive a State Primary vote-by-mail update.

• Review of July 22, 2026 meeting minutes
• 2026 Statement of Financial Interests update
• Election Worker Trainings Discussion
• State Primary Vote by Mail Update

Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding a zoning petition from the Cambridge City Council to amend Section 4.60. The proposed changes focus on the registration, operation, and enforcement of short-term rentals.

• Proposed limit on short-term rentals to 90 days per calendar year
• Proposed new short-term rental category for 'Autonomous Unit'
• Proposed registration requirements for booking agents and platforms
• Proposed prohibition of automatic transfer of registrations upon sale of a unit
• Proposed authorization for the City to fine violators via noncriminal civil disposition

Regular City Council Meeting

The provided text is a notice for a regular City Council meeting on August 3, 2026. No specific topics, discussions, or actions are listed in the document.

Special Peace Commission Meeting: Meet Your Neighbor Month

The Peace Commission is meeting to discuss the approach and community engagement for Meet Your Neighbor Month 2026. The body will review coordination between the commission, city departments, and the community.

• Review of zines and toolkit assets
• Discussion of community engagement tools including passports, block party maps, and social media tagging
• Planning for commissioners engagement

The subcommittee discussed planning for Meet Your Neighbor Month in September, themed 'Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect.' Members proposed various community events, toolkits, and collaborations, but no formal votes were taken on specific proposals.

• Expanded Meet Your Neighbor initiative to the full month of September

Board of Zoning Appeal

The Board of Zoning Appeal will hold a public hearing on two cases: a special permit for non-conforming curb cuts at 1 Corcoran Lane, and a variance for partial demolition and new construction at 162 Otis Street that would extend the building beyond allowed side setbacks. Both cases involve residential properties in the C-1 zone.

• Special permit for two non-conforming curb cuts along Thingvalla Ave at 1 Corcoran Lane (Cambridge Housing Authority)
• Variance for partial demolition and new construction at 162 Otis Street, seeking to extend building beyond side setbacks on pre-existing non-conforming footprint

Board of License Commissioners

The Board of License Commissioners will review 13 public-testimony items including liquor license applications, disciplinary actions for alleged violations, and special noise variances. Administrative matters include consideration of meeting minutes and fines issued for prior violations.

• Disciplinary case against Riverside Services for leaf blower permit violations at 625 Mt. Auburn Street
• Application #1207247 G&S Restaurant, LLC d/b/a 212 Kitchen for change of ownership and manager to Grace Du at 212 Western Avenue
• Application #1214393 2322 Wine Bar Limited d/b/a Zusammen for premises alteration and capacity increase at 2322 Massachusetts Avenue
• Application #1219778 Whole Foods Market Group, Inc. for corporate name and structure changes at 340 River Street
• Special noise variance for MWRA construction at 330 Mt. Auburn Street (7/30–8/31, 6–9 p.m.)

City Clerk Preliminary Screening Committee

The City Clerk Preliminary Screening Committee is meeting to review candidates for the City Clerk position. The committee will meet in executive session to avoid deterring qualified applicants.

• Review and determination of next steps for the City Clerk position

Commercial Parking Control Committee Public Meeting

The Cambridge Commercial Parking Control Committee will meet on July 28, 2026 to discuss the interpretation of code section 10.16.60b subsection 3 and new terms and conditions for commercial parking permits. No final votes are scheduled; the items are for discussion only.

• Discussion of the Committee’s interpretation of 10.16.60b subsection 3
• Discussion of terms and conditions for new Commercial Parking Permits

City Council Special Meeting

The City Council is holding a special meeting to receive updates on and discuss the City of Cambridge's current, planned, and recommended public safety and violence prevention work. The agenda includes a communication from City Manager Yi-An Huang transmitting a Violence Prevention Recommendations Report from the Community Safety Department.

• Communication from City Manager Yi-An Huang transmitting a Violence Prevention Recommendations Report from the Community Safety Department

LGBTQ+ Commission Monthly Meeting

The Commission is reviewing updates to the Gender Inclusion Ordinance and a proposed definition of sexual orientation for the Fair Housing Ordinance. Members are also coordinating upcoming community events and working group reports.

• Proposed spending of up to $2,500 for food at a Pride event
• Proposed Fair Housing Ordinance definition of sexual orientation to go before the council in the fall
• Pool Party scheduled for Monday, August 17, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
• Commissioners-only social event at The Hive on Thursday, August 27, 6-8 PM
• Request to keep Commission applications open through August 1st

Affordable Housing Trust and Community Preservation Committee Joint Meeting

The Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust and Community Preservation Committee will meet to review minutes and discuss the use of Community Preservation Act funds. The body will consider a request for $4,244,897 to assist with the rehabilitation of Inman Square Apartments and CAST I & II.

• Review of meeting minutes
• Discussion of Community Preservation Act funds
• Request for $4,244,897 for Inman Square Apartments rehab
• Request for $4,244,897 for CAST I & II rehab
• Public comment deadline: 5:00 p.m. day before meeting

The Ordinance Committee

The Ordinance Committee holds a public hearing on a zoning petition by Douglas P. Brown. The petition proposes changes to height, setback, parking, and open space requirements for Residence C-1 districts, including the Affordable Housing Overlay. It also seeks to lower the Project Review Special Permit threshold from 75,000 to 20,000 square feet for residential uses in these districts.

• Public hearing on zoning petition by Douglas P. Brown
• Amendment to height, setback, and open space requirements in Residence C-1
• Addition of step back and building depth/width requirements
• Minimum off-street parking requirements for residential uses
• Reduction of Project Review Special Permit threshold from 75,000 to 20,000 sq ft

The Ordinance Committee voted 7-2 to forward the Doug Brown et al. zoning petition to the full City Council with a negative recommendation. The petition sought to reduce maximum building heights, increase setbacks, add step-back and parking requirements, and lower the project review threshold in Residence C-1 districts, including the Affordable Housing Overlay. Committee members and CDD staff expressed concerns that the changes would significantly impact affordable housing projects and were premature given the recent adoption of the Multifamily Housing Ordinance.

• Voted 7-2 to forward Doug Brown et al. zoning petition to full City Council with negative recommendation
• Voted 9-0 to close public comment
• Voted 9-0 to extend meeting to 5:15 p.m.
• Voted 9-0 to adjourn meeting

American Freedmen Commission Regular Meeting - July 2026

The Cambridge American Freedmen Commission will hold an open session to vote on moving into executive session. The purpose is to discuss the July 2, 2026 Open Meeting Law complaint filed by George Greenidge, Jr. The commission will then meet in executive session to consider litigation strategy. No further agenda items are listed.

• Vote to go into executive session to address the July 2, 2026 Open Meeting Law complaint by George Greenidge, Jr.
• Executive session to discuss litigation strategy regarding the same complaint

Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding a special permit application for a residential development. The board will consider the project's scale and a request to reduce green roof requirements.

• Special Permit application for 9&25 Birch Street and 30-36 Bay State Road
• Proposed 6-story residential building with 85 units
• Project size of approximately 91,585 square feet gross floor area
• Proposed 15 off-street parking spaces
• Request for reduction of green roofs requirement under Section 22.35.3

Board of Zoning Appeal

The Board of Zoning Appeal will consider two special permit applications for home additions. One project involves a rear addition at 51 Stearns Street, while the other concerns a third-floor addition at 63 Magee Street.

• Special Permit: Rear addition at 51 Stearns Street
• Special Permit: Third-floor addition within front yard setback at 63 Magee Street

Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding a zoning petition to change height, setback, and parking requirements in Residence C-1 districts. The board will also review design and use requests for specific parcels.

• Public hearing on PET 2026-02 to amend Articles 2.000, 5.000, 6.000, 11.000, and 19.000
• Proposed reduction of Project Review Special Permit threshold from 75,000 to 20,000 square feet for residential uses in Residence C-1 districts
• Design Review for Parcel 1-C
• Use Determination Request for 222 Jacobs Street

Board of License Commissioners Public Meeting

The Board will consider various license applications including new common victualler licenses, changes to existing alcohol licenses, and parking lot permits. The meeting also includes discussions on noise variances for construction projects and disciplinary matters regarding leaf blower usage.

• New Common Victualler License for Wasabi at Porter, 2088 Massachusetts Avenue
• Common Victualler All Alcohol License amendment for Tap 151 Bar and Grill to add live music and dancing
• Open Air Parking Lot License for 42 vehicles at 1840 Massachusetts Avenue
• Common Victualler License amendment for Lavash Grill to include alcohol and outdoor patio seating
• Special Noise Variance for crane dismantling at 121 Broadway