City Petition Looks to Rezone Local Districts

CAMBRIDGE, MA-A citywide petition here would like to see 17 districts rezoned as exclusively residential areas in order to increase affordable housing. A majority of the land involved is located in sections of East Cambridge and the industrial area of North Point.

“The rezoning presents significant issues for the business community,” Tom Lucey, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce president, tells GlobeSt.com. “It limits the ability of those with businesses already on the ground to refinance or sell their buildings or build out.”

Lucey emphasizes that he is not opposed to the concept of rezoning in order to increase housing options or even to all 17 district changes, but he believes that six to seven of the districts need to reconsidered. “Rezoning should be one tool that is in the city’s tool box, but there are going to be unintended consequences here,” he points out.