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NEIGHBORHOODS VS TEARDOWNS
The Problem:
An ongoing issue of environmentally wasteful demolitions of historic houses, and less expensive smaller houses, is happening across Cambridge, with frequent tree-cutting, and replacement of existing homes with expensive, out-of-scale "McMansions," "luxury" condos, or high density out-of-scale public ("affordable") housing projects, the latter minus needed parking. This accelerating trend is displacing current sustainable housing stock, impacting neighbors' quality of life, destroying the livability of traditional neighborhoods, removing parts of Cambridge’s rich history, and contributing to increased heat island impacts, loss of green space, and increased shadows in Cambridge residential areas. With proposed new zoning changes, that will allow greater density (residents per structure) and decreased setback requirement and height allowances for new market rate housing, we are likely to see even more tear downs and the removal of critical green spaces and trees. This in turn will increase nearby property values and taxes, adding to rising city housing costs, and difficulties for fixed income seniors and lower income workers living in neighborhoods across the city.
Is It a Teardown or Down/Up Conversion?
1-2-3 family houses are the preferred target of many developers for demolitions, down conversions (3 family to 1 family) or up conversions (a modest 1 family home to a 3 family luxury condo). Many smaller homes that might be affordable to a young professional, a young family, or fixed-income seniors looking to down size are being replaced. This type of naturally more affordable housing is fast disappearing in Cambridge. Developers and outside investors often outbid other buyers. Sadly, very few of our city’s buildings are currently protected through a listing on the National Registry of Buildings which includes only 205 Cambridge buildings or sites among these a few historic homes alongside various religious edifices, university and government structures, commercial buildings, and parks. Considering the 1630 founding date of Cambridge, the city's important regional and national importance, and the financial importance of tourism, the current City Council's lack of concern for historic preservation is troubling.
McMansions and Luxury Condo Investment Properties
If likely new zoning regulations are enacted, the Floor Area Ratio (FAR = square footage of the house divided by square footage of the lot) will double or quadruple from current numbers, and current neighborhood set back requirements will likely be significantly cut back. Height allowances will likely also increase. The result will be a neighborhood that have far fewer trees, decreased green spaces, and far more inhabitants, all without previously required parking.
Zoning & Demolitions
The City is currently undertaking a zoning reform process. If residents are not vigilant and engaged, this process could result in higher-density development (larger houses that are closer together and closer to the street) and more demolitions. That is not what most residents want in Cambridge, but it is what some elected leaders are encouraging via a policy preference for higher density claiming this will bring down housing prices, and that zoning regulations prevent needed change. Some developers (and some new residents) do renovate existing houses instead of demolishing them. They see the value of keeping the handsome lines of a well-built house, and instead add an addition in the back. How can the City encourage more builders to take this approach with the obvious benefit of preserving the neighborhood form that is valued by residents and that makes Cambridge attractive to new buyers and visitors alike?
Cutting Trees and Removing Green Spaces
Removing mature trees and green spaces is frequently part of the demolition and new building process. This loss is important because the shade of large trees is critical to keeping temperatures down in tne neighborhood in this era of rising heat and climate change.
What You Can Do:
Sign up to receive email updates from Cambridge Neighbors United. Pay attention to the Cambridge Historical Commission's monthly agenda to see the list of buildings for which demolition requests have been submitted. Pay attention to how your city councilors are voting on Zoning Petitions and Special Permits that impact the scale of what is built and the appearance of local neighborhoods. Write letters to the Boston Globe, Cambridge Day, and Next Door. Tell your Cambridge friends and neighbors why it's important to preserve the livability and scale of Cambridge neighborhoods. Write and let City Council and the City Clerk know that you want zoning changes granted in a more conservative and neighborhood specific way. Join a local neighborhood group or work to create your own neighborhood association (see information on our front page.
An ongoing issue of environmentally wasteful demolitions of historic houses, and less expensive smaller houses, is happening across Cambridge, with frequent tree-cutting, and replacement of existing homes with expensive, out-of-scale "McMansions," "luxury" condos, or high density out-of-scale public ("affordable") housing projects, the latter minus needed parking. This accelerating trend is displacing current sustainable housing stock, impacting neighbors' quality of life, destroying the livability of traditional neighborhoods, removing parts of Cambridge’s rich history, and contributing to increased heat island impacts, loss of green space, and increased shadows in Cambridge residential areas. With proposed new zoning changes, that will allow greater density (residents per structure) and decreased setback requirement and height allowances for new market rate housing, we are likely to see even more tear downs and the removal of critical green spaces and trees. This in turn will increase nearby property values and taxes, adding to rising city housing costs, and difficulties for fixed income seniors and lower income workers living in neighborhoods across the city.
Is It a Teardown or Down/Up Conversion?
1-2-3 family houses are the preferred target of many developers for demolitions, down conversions (3 family to 1 family) or up conversions (a modest 1 family home to a 3 family luxury condo). Many smaller homes that might be affordable to a young professional, a young family, or fixed-income seniors looking to down size are being replaced. This type of naturally more affordable housing is fast disappearing in Cambridge. Developers and outside investors often outbid other buyers. Sadly, very few of our city’s buildings are currently protected through a listing on the National Registry of Buildings which includes only 205 Cambridge buildings or sites among these a few historic homes alongside various religious edifices, university and government structures, commercial buildings, and parks. Considering the 1630 founding date of Cambridge, the city's important regional and national importance, and the financial importance of tourism, the current City Council's lack of concern for historic preservation is troubling.
McMansions and Luxury Condo Investment Properties
If likely new zoning regulations are enacted, the Floor Area Ratio (FAR = square footage of the house divided by square footage of the lot) will double or quadruple from current numbers, and current neighborhood set back requirements will likely be significantly cut back. Height allowances will likely also increase. The result will be a neighborhood that have far fewer trees, decreased green spaces, and far more inhabitants, all without previously required parking.
Zoning & Demolitions
The City is currently undertaking a zoning reform process. If residents are not vigilant and engaged, this process could result in higher-density development (larger houses that are closer together and closer to the street) and more demolitions. That is not what most residents want in Cambridge, but it is what some elected leaders are encouraging via a policy preference for higher density claiming this will bring down housing prices, and that zoning regulations prevent needed change. Some developers (and some new residents) do renovate existing houses instead of demolishing them. They see the value of keeping the handsome lines of a well-built house, and instead add an addition in the back. How can the City encourage more builders to take this approach with the obvious benefit of preserving the neighborhood form that is valued by residents and that makes Cambridge attractive to new buyers and visitors alike?
Cutting Trees and Removing Green Spaces
Removing mature trees and green spaces is frequently part of the demolition and new building process. This loss is important because the shade of large trees is critical to keeping temperatures down in tne neighborhood in this era of rising heat and climate change.
What You Can Do:
Sign up to receive email updates from Cambridge Neighbors United. Pay attention to the Cambridge Historical Commission's monthly agenda to see the list of buildings for which demolition requests have been submitted. Pay attention to how your city councilors are voting on Zoning Petitions and Special Permits that impact the scale of what is built and the appearance of local neighborhoods. Write letters to the Boston Globe, Cambridge Day, and Next Door. Tell your Cambridge friends and neighbors why it's important to preserve the livability and scale of Cambridge neighborhoods. Write and let City Council and the City Clerk know that you want zoning changes granted in a more conservative and neighborhood specific way. Join a local neighborhood group or work to create your own neighborhood association (see information on our front page.
