Abolish Involuntary Poverty In Cambridge Over The Next Five Years

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Cambridge Is Experiencing Serious Traffic Gridlock Morning And Evenings

Support Strongly

I have proposed a “Don’t Block The Box” program, similar to what other communities have adopted, and it is currently being discussed in committee. However, I wholeheartedly support this proposal, and I will happily propose this in the City Council’s upcoming session.

Campaign Finance Reform

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Community Walk And Bike Path Along The Grand Junction Railroad

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Investment In Our Public Schools

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Low And Medium Income Housing -- Increase In Density Or ....

Opposed With Reservation

Increasing density in underdeveloped areas may be necessary, but not without careful deliberation and intensive community discussions first. I will continue pressing, as I have done in the past, for developers to commit to creating more family-sized affordable units. I have personally worked with many families over the years who would not have been able to stay in Cambridge, were it not for my pushing for this kind of housing. Yet the need remains, and there needs to be pressure on developers and the housing organizations not just from the City Council, but also from an organized community. I will also be asking the Community Development Department to conduct an intensive study and then report back on how other communities similar to Cambridge have addressed this issue, to learn if there are other options that we simply have not yet attempted that are now worth consideration.

Low And Moderate Income Housing -- Inclusionary Zoning Results In 25% Affordable Housing.

Support Very Strongly

The need for affordable housing is one of the great issues this city is contending with. I have been urging developers to commit to creating new units, and helping to preserve existing stock. I also have urged the Housing Committee to examine how we can modify our zoning requirements to increase the amount of mandatory affordable units that must be included with any new developments. I very much support this proposal.

Net Zero Buildings

Undecided

I thank Mike Connolly, Quinton Zondervan, Green Cambridge, and the Cambridge Committee for Net Zero Buildings for raising this important issue, and this is a discussion we absolutely must be having at this time. But I would need to know more about how much of a positive impact this would truly have, what possible unintended consequences we ought to be mindful of before committing ourselves, and whether this might deter developers of affordable housing from initiating projects in Cambridge due to higher up-front costs. The conversation must and will continue, with a more diverse body of people involved at all levels, but I am not yet convinced that this petition is the most constructive framework for us to hold it in.

One Year Moratorium On Construction To Study Impact Of Development On Livability.

Support With Reservation

I agree with the general concept that you have laid out, but I do fear that the one-year moratorium could have severe, unintended consequences on local development, on the livelihoods of those who depend on these kinds of projects, and on potentially losing projects to other communities. A city like Cambridge needs to be able to deal with multiple issues at any given time, and that includes supporting current projects while evaluating how they fit into the larger frame-work, and working to ensure that the community can support upcoming developments.

Plan E Charter

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Privacy -- Police Public Safety Security Cameras

Undecided

Public Toilets On Cambridge Common

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Reject Dramatic Up-Zoning Changes In Central Square.

Undecided

I believe that there can be and is a medium ground here that must be reached. Given the shortage of real estate and the need for additional housing and development, the Community Development Department’s proposal does not strike me as unreasonable. I do feel that a 28-story building would be too large for Central Square. Part of my responsibility as an elected official is in finding workable, reasonable compromises, and at this point, I remain open to hearing more about the CDD’s proposals. I have not made a firm decision on this yet, though.

Terms Limits

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The Foundry

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