WHO WE ARE...
Cambridge Citizens Coalition (CCC) was founded by local neighborhood group leaders and is led by them along with other local civic activists and residents dedicated to smart development, thoughtful city planning, good governance policies, sustainability, housing affordability, and the preservation of our trees, green spaces, and historic architecture.
CCC is free and open to everyone.
But we urge people able to do so to donate $25-$40 yearly either to help CCC 's active Civic work (at the Act Blue link above) or to support complementary city election efforts at CambridgePac.org: HERE
But we urge people able to do so to donate $25-$40 yearly either to help CCC 's active Civic work (at the Act Blue link above) or to support complementary city election efforts at CambridgePac.org: HERE
MAKE SURE TO VOTE THIS YEAR!
See if you are registered to vote: www.vote.gov.com
Order your mail-in/drop off ballot here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/electioncommission/earlyvoting/earlyvotingbymail
Learn how voting works in Cambridge:
Why your #1 vote counts
How many candidates you should vote for, more.
Why your #1 vote counts
How many candidates you should vote for, more.
|
|
2023 CCC City Council Endorsements
Weekly Up-Dated Calendars of Cambridge Civic & Other Events
Weekly Calendar A: Cambridge City Government - the CITY WEEKLY CALENDAR
Weekly Calendar B: Cambridge Day Weekly Calendar HERE
Weekly Calendar C: Cambridge Civic Weekly Calendar of Events and Meetings in Cambridge: Cambridge Civic
Weekly Calendar D: Have Fun! Patch Local Music and Entertainment: HERE
Weekly Calendar B: Cambridge Day Weekly Calendar HERE
Weekly Calendar C: Cambridge Civic Weekly Calendar of Events and Meetings in Cambridge: Cambridge Civic
Weekly Calendar D: Have Fun! Patch Local Music and Entertainment: HERE
Find out how to contact City Council and Commissions
Find out how to sign up to speak at city meetings, and more ...
Find out how to sign up to speak at city meetings, and more ...
THE 2023 CITY COUNCIL ELECTION CYCLE IS HERE!
HELP US FLIP THE COUNCIL!!
WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY:
To have a reasonable and thoughtful council
To get real accountability and transparency
To work together for the greater good
To have a council that works for all
REGISTER TO VOTE by Oct.27 HERE: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/
Find out if you are Registered to Vote? HERE: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/
APPLY NOW for a MAIL-IN/DROP OFF BALLOT:HERE
You will receive it in early October and can either mail it back or drop it off in one of the city drop boxes (see below). About 40% of Cambridge residents last election used a mail-in/drop off ballot.
We encourage voting as soon as you receive it, but you can mail it in up to 1 week before the election on November 7. Or you can drop it off from Oct.13th through Nov 3.
The drop off boxes are open 24 hours day at the following locations: Main Ballot Drop Box: Open from Friday, October 13, 2023 to Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 8 p.m. Coffon Building - Right-side of the building located at 51 Inman St Satellite Drop Box Locations: Open from Friday, October 13, 2023 to Monday, November 6, 2023 at 8 p.m. City Hall - Near the back door of the building located at 795 Massachusetts Ave Morse School - Near the front entrance of the building location at 40 Granite St Cambridge Police Headquarters - Near the front of the building located at 125 6th St Maria L. Baldwin School - Right-side of the Oxford Street entrance of the building located at 85 Oxford Street O'Neill Library - Adjacent to the entrance stairs of the building located at 70 Rindge Ave.
Walk-In voting: Oct. 28-Nov. 3. You can also return your ballot in person at the Cambridge Election Commission office at 51 Inman Street during regular office hours: Mondays 8:30 am - 8:00 pm; Tuesdays through Thursdays 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; Fridays 8:30 am - 12:00 Noon. The Election Commission office will be closed on Monday, October 9th to an election official at a designated early voting location during early voting hours.
Regular voting (in person) is November 7.
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM
This took place on September 10 from 4:30-7:00 by ZOOM
Co-hosted by the Cambridge Citizens Coalition, the Cambridge Voters for Good Government, Cambridge Streets for All, Indivisible Cambridge as well as the East Cambridge Planning Team, the Harvard Square Neighborhood Association, and the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association
Co-hosted by the Cambridge Citizens Coalition, the Cambridge Voters for Good Government, Cambridge Streets for All, Indivisible Cambridge as well as the East Cambridge Planning Team, the Harvard Square Neighborhood Association, and the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association
The Video of this Forum is now available on CCTV
This proposal was not taken up by Council on Sept 11 as planned, but because it is not a zoning petition with a time limit, it can be brought back by one or more Councillor at a future date. This bill, that pretty much gives full reign to developers to build what they want, would remove all but one professionals from NCD Committees, require City Council approval before a proposal can begin, disallow commission discussions or decisions about height or setbacks, increase tenfold the number of petitioners needed (from 10 to 100 even for a small street), allow 30 petitioners to terminate an existing NCD, require lengthy reviews every 10 years.
Read the proposed new NCD (Neighborhood Conservation District) language HERE
Read about the proposed East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District HERE
Like the AHO 2.0 This is another effort by the pro-developer political pac.
Read about the proposed East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District HERE
Like the AHO 2.0 This is another effort by the pro-developer political pac.
CCC'S 2023 CITY COUNCIL ENDORSEMENTS ARE OUT!
In this election we have THREE CCC Affiliates running for City Council (currently on sabbatical leave from CCC until after the election). These individuals who have been part of our research and advisory team include Doug Brown, Federico Muchnik, and Robert Winters. There are also three present or former neighborhood group leaders who are running for City Council this time. These are Doug Brown (Fresh Pond Neighborhood Association), Joan Pickett (Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association), and Cathie Zusy (Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association). Other Candidates CCC is endorsing include: John Hanratty, Carry Pasquerallo, Ayesha W. Wilson, Huo Wang as well as two incumbent candidates, Patty Nolan and Paul Toner. All these people are professionals of considerable achievement and know the city well.
CCC's 2023 City Council Election Efforts are ON THE MOVE!
KEY ISSUES IN PLAY THIS ELECTION
PROPOSED INCREASES IN URBAN DENSITY:
RESULT: MORE EXTREME HEAT ISLAND IMPACTS
City Up-Zoning: 12 and 15 story Affordable Housing High Rises
- no Design Oversight -
This passed the Ordinance Committee in a 6-3 vote on Aug 3, 2023
(We Thank Councillors Carlone, Nolan & Toner who voted no)
FINAL VOTE Sept. 11, 2023 at the first Fall City Council Meeting.
CCC Postcard on the proposed AHO 2.0
Recently some neighborhoods in the city received a CCC informational postcard on the proposed AHO 2.0 amendment before City Council allowing tall 12 and 15 buildings for income limited housing along our key corridors and squares. We all support more affordable housing but we need it to be human-scale and fitting in with the neighborhoods. The date of the first vote is July 31, 6:00 - 8:00pm – City Council Ordinance Committee Meeting (the entire Council) on the AHO 2.0 (to allow 12 and 15 story structures). A crucial initial meeting to hear public comment and make final revisions).
New CCC blogpost:
AHO THIRD YEAR INTERIM REPORT:
Past, Present, Future(?)
Key takeaways from our recent blog - The Third Year Interim AHO report: already we are seeing the impacts of AHO 1.0 and even the AHO 2.0 currently under discussion and they often are not positive. Yes there are some successes, such as the repurposing of the former Sacred Heart Convent and School in East Cambridge and the fact that there are now some 1500 affordable housing units in the works. Another success has been the New Street development near Danehy Park, a project that preceded the AHO passage as a result of an intervention by then Councillor Jan Devereux to switch a proposed storage container building to affordable housing. We are also seeing more clearly now what happens when we have little viable accountability and oversight by the Cambridge Housing Authority and the city itself. Jefferson Park will cost nearly $1 million per unit to build (far more expensive than market rate housing units cost). And here there was no need to purchase land, since here they are simply rebuilding the existing structures at double the density and at greater height. In addition theses developments are sometimes very poorly managed, with so many complaints that the Mayor and Vice Mayor wrote a letter to the Cambridge Housing Authority to complain about the management of Walden Square. In some respects these examples serve as a canary in the coal mine in offering clues about what may happen if the AHO 2.0 is passed. In this report we address, among others, the proposed, both of which are under review:
July 18 Planning Board AHO meeting results on 1627 MA Ave -Lesley University (see above image): To the person, the members critiqued the design plans, calling it a massive cube with little relationship to the adjacent house they are preserving. It is twice the height of neighboring houses. One noted that each AHO unit costs $1 million and still it looks like the developers are "holding back...trying to keep something in their wallet." Another member observed that the "developers should step up their game and bring a better product." Still another noted that we and the residents deserve excellent design. The former Planning Board chair pointed out that the AHO process currently is flawed, and the AHO developers are presenting only the most basic plans and not doing the actual work of designing. Other Board members concurred. A number of neighbors, all supportive of affordable housing, were deeply concerned about the plans. They have submitted a long report. Alas, as one Board member noted, few of the neighbors’ concerns have been addressed by the developers. The system is clearly not working. The Planning Board will again take up this project at a later meeting.
- 1627 Mass Ave: "A Majestic Landmark with a Bulky Box Addition."
- Walden Square 2.0: "The Slabs at Walden Square WS 2.0"
July 18 Planning Board AHO meeting results on 1627 MA Ave -Lesley University (see above image): To the person, the members critiqued the design plans, calling it a massive cube with little relationship to the adjacent house they are preserving. It is twice the height of neighboring houses. One noted that each AHO unit costs $1 million and still it looks like the developers are "holding back...trying to keep something in their wallet." Another member observed that the "developers should step up their game and bring a better product." Still another noted that we and the residents deserve excellent design. The former Planning Board chair pointed out that the AHO process currently is flawed, and the AHO developers are presenting only the most basic plans and not doing the actual work of designing. Other Board members concurred. A number of neighbors, all supportive of affordable housing, were deeply concerned about the plans. They have submitted a long report. Alas, as one Board member noted, few of the neighbors’ concerns have been addressed by the developers. The system is clearly not working. The Planning Board will again take up this project at a later meeting.
RECENT CCC BLOGS OF IMPORTANCE NOW
|
|
|
|
|
|
Originally published in Cambridge Day
|
Frogs-R-Us addresses some of the issues around developer interests and investments in Cambridge. Above image left; the cover to Jean-François Batellier’s 1978 cartoon collection, “No Deposit, No Return.”; right: cover of Cambridge Monopoly game.
Playing Monopoly takes up core issues in the architectural preservation issues around a move by another political party to gut long-standing conservation and historic preservation efforts in Cambridge
Playing Monopoly takes up core issues in the architectural preservation issues around a move by another political party to gut long-standing conservation and historic preservation efforts in Cambridge
|
|
Other Cambridge Citizens Coalition Research and Opinion Pieces published in Cambridge Day
WHO WE ARE
Cambridge Citizens Coalition (CCC) was founded by local neighborhood group leaders and is led by them along with other local civic activists and residents dedicated to smart development, thoughtful city planning, good governance policies, sustainability, housing affordability, and the preservation of our trees, green spaces, and historic architecture.
"CCC is a city-wide organization that does not... believe that developers know best about how to solve the affordable housing crisis. That is pure neo-liberalism and that is the flavor favored by our political opponents. We are interested in taking land costs out of the equation as much as possible, building on city properties, encouraging land trusts and protecting renters. We also do not take a back seat on climate issues and want city resources spent on creating safe streets for bikers." (CCC Board Member, Chris Mackin).
"CCC is a city-wide organization that does not... believe that developers know best about how to solve the affordable housing crisis. That is pure neo-liberalism and that is the flavor favored by our political opponents. We are interested in taking land costs out of the equation as much as possible, building on city properties, encouraging land trusts and protecting renters. We also do not take a back seat on climate issues and want city resources spent on creating safe streets for bikers." (CCC Board Member, Chris Mackin).
CCC: Promoting a More Livable Cambridge
Change can’t wait. We need bold, progressive polices to address our most pressing issues
POLICIES THAT MATTER ON:
1. Environmental Equity - addressing climate change can't wait! Safeguard trees and green spaces in every neighborhood.
2. Housing - stop gentrification, end exclusive single family zoning, create a real path to home ownership; add more mixed income housing
3. Smart Growth - we need a Citywide plan for smart growth (people before profits)
4. Neighborhoods are key (retain and build on naturally affordable longterm sustainable housing)
5. We live in an historic city; let's work together to preserve our rich architectural diversity.
6. Policies for equity (from Broadband and HEART to Universal Pre-K)
Change can’t wait. We need bold, progressive polices to address our most pressing issues
POLICIES THAT MATTER ON:
1. Environmental Equity - addressing climate change can't wait! Safeguard trees and green spaces in every neighborhood.
2. Housing - stop gentrification, end exclusive single family zoning, create a real path to home ownership; add more mixed income housing
3. Smart Growth - we need a Citywide plan for smart growth (people before profits)
4. Neighborhoods are key (retain and build on naturally affordable longterm sustainable housing)
5. We live in an historic city; let's work together to preserve our rich architectural diversity.
6. Policies for equity (from Broadband and HEART to Universal Pre-K)
MAILING DONATION CHECK$
Checks to Cambridge Citizens Coalition IE PAC can be mailed to CCC at P.O. Box 410291, Cambridge, MA 02141.
Checks to Cambridge Citizens Coalition can be mailed to CCC at P.O. Box 410083, Cambridge, MA 02141.
Checks to Cambridge Citizens Coalition IE PAC can be mailed to CCC at P.O. Box 410291, Cambridge, MA 02141.
Checks to Cambridge Citizens Coalition can be mailed to CCC at P.O. Box 410083, Cambridge, MA 02141.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We honor and acknowledge that Cambridge sits on the traditional homelands of the Massachusett people. We also acknowledge their close neighbors and relatives, the Nipmuc and Wampanoag peoples.
We honor and acknowledge that Cambridge sits on the traditional homelands of the Massachusett people. We also acknowledge their close neighbors and relatives, the Nipmuc and Wampanoag peoples.