Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

ClarkFable t1_itnx6q6 wrote

"This is the same byllshit that got us in the housing crisis"

No it isn't. Housing shortage is a regional issue, and no amount of unilateral policy making by Cambridge could solve the issue. But that's not to say that Cambridge's zoning policies couldn't use some serious improvements (e.g., the use of historic district boards to try to slow down development, stupid low height limits, etc, and all counterproductive)

−12

IntelligentCicada363 OP t1_ito1rsp wrote

Every town has a zoning board

10

wittgensteins-boat t1_itpvs79 wrote

Planning boards propose zoning changes.
City council or in towns, town meeting affirms or rejects.

The Zoning Board of Appeals generally deals with nonconforming properties in terms of zoning, and some kinds of special permits for buildings.

Massachusetts now has a regional zoning requirement for multiunit housing in MBTA Municipalities, near stations.

See this summary:

Mass. Dept of Housing and Community Development.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/multi-family-zoning-requirement-for-mbta-communities

2

crazicus t1_ito259o wrote

It is the same bullshit though, just in each individual town in the region

6

ClarkFable t1_ito7f6e wrote

Sure, but that doesn't mean a unilateral change by Cambridge can do anything about it. That's the difference, and it's an important one.

−4

crazicus t1_itofnvu wrote

It’s not really related to what was said though. OP didn’t claim it was solely a Cambridge issue nor that Cambridge alone can fix it. The point was just that it’s a small number of people blocking things for everyone else. Splitting hairs over nothing here really

4