Cambridge Official Neighborhoods
Find your Cambridge Neighborhood Group!
Neighborhood Groups of Cambridge: https://www.ngcambridge.com/
CDD NeighborhoodOverview: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9ac5ec58c97c439388e42601f2e554a5
Websites of Most Active Neighborhood Groups
Active Neighborhood Group Discussion Listserves
Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association (CNA) Listserve: Contact: carolyn_shipley at yahoo dot com
Fresh Pond Residents Alliance (FPRA) Listserve: Contact: douglas_p_brown at yahoo dot com
Porter Square Neighborhood Association (PSNA) Listserve: Contact: rryals at comcast dot net OR Robert at rwinters dot com
Fresh Pond Residents Alliance (FPRA) Listserve: Contact: douglas_p_brown at yahoo dot com
Porter Square Neighborhood Association (PSNA) Listserve: Contact: rryals at comcast dot net OR Robert at rwinters dot com
Cambridge Neighborhood Studies and Activism
Neighborhood Conservation Districts (Historic Buildings) at Risk
NCD (Neighborhood Conservation District) Amendment Proposal
(August 3, 7, 2023)
Proposed New Neighborhood Conservation District
Ongoing 2021-23 City Council Concern: Gutting Neighborhood Conservation Districts
This petition has been introduced and forwarded by City Council to the Ordinance Committee. This petition ,that one could call the "Neighborhood Conservation District" (NGC) Assault Petition, was received from an individual often allied with the pro-developer political Pac calling itself "A Better Cambridge (ABC)." The petition seeks to gut Cambridge's long standing architectural preservation means, local areas established by neighbors to preserve the unique eclectic mix of housing in their area.
What this petition does? It removes the right of citizens to petition the City on this matter, enabling City Council (who already must approve any new Conservation District after the study period, to stop the process before it even starts. Citizens will lose long established rights. And, Council (not citizens) can change the language of established districts, and have redefined criteria for existing Boards, from District residents who bring professional knowledge to these issues, to simply ones ownership status.
Who benefits? Largely out-of-time developers, and non-resident monied investors (many of whom represent national and global financial interests), and those seeking to build large McMansions inconsistent with our long-standing local neighborhoods.
Why this matters? Cambridge, founded in 1630, one of the oldest planned cities in America. Its history, and the legacy of its rich architecture matters - whether we are talking about workers cottages or more elite residences, workplaces, or one time battlegrounds. Because Cambridge neighborhoods matter, and this is just one more effort (based in part on a national drive) to end restrictions on developers and investors to build more luxury housing in this already very dense and very historic city - further gentrifying these areas, and forcing out long term lower income residents. We know that Neighborhood Conservation Districts help to keep rental and housing costs more stable, but this is not just about economic issues, and we know that our tourism economy and local businesses are dependent on our unique historical and architectural legacy; This petition is also about environmental sustainability - maintaining sound architecture.
Please write City Council at: [email protected] and CC the City Clerk at: [email protected]
What this petition does? It removes the right of citizens to petition the City on this matter, enabling City Council (who already must approve any new Conservation District after the study period, to stop the process before it even starts. Citizens will lose long established rights. And, Council (not citizens) can change the language of established districts, and have redefined criteria for existing Boards, from District residents who bring professional knowledge to these issues, to simply ones ownership status.
Who benefits? Largely out-of-time developers, and non-resident monied investors (many of whom represent national and global financial interests), and those seeking to build large McMansions inconsistent with our long-standing local neighborhoods.
Why this matters? Cambridge, founded in 1630, one of the oldest planned cities in America. Its history, and the legacy of its rich architecture matters - whether we are talking about workers cottages or more elite residences, workplaces, or one time battlegrounds. Because Cambridge neighborhoods matter, and this is just one more effort (based in part on a national drive) to end restrictions on developers and investors to build more luxury housing in this already very dense and very historic city - further gentrifying these areas, and forcing out long term lower income residents. We know that Neighborhood Conservation Districts help to keep rental and housing costs more stable, but this is not just about economic issues, and we know that our tourism economy and local businesses are dependent on our unique historical and architectural legacy; This petition is also about environmental sustainability - maintaining sound architecture.
Please write City Council at: [email protected] and CC the City Clerk at: [email protected]
