The Cambridge Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for:
- Land use management,
- Short and long range planning,
- Enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance,
- Subdivision Regulations,
- Neighborhood Compatibility Design Standards,
- Chesapeake Bay Critical Area,
- Forest Conservation Act
- Flood Plain Management programs and
- Special projects.
- Assistance with Historic District applications and enforcement.
Staff provides assistance and technical support to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and Historic Preservation Commission. This Department works closely with other city departments in administering the State's Community Legacy and CDBG grant programs.
Why a rezoning process?
The City of Cambridge recently completed a major update of its Comprehensive Plan. The new plan was formally adopted in February, 2011 after more than 30 public meetings and workshops. The plan will help guide future growth and development of Cambridge, and ensure that it happens in an environmentally sustainable manner. In order to implement the plan, a comprehensive rezoning process is required to align the comprehensive plan goals with the City’s zoning ordinance. The current zoning ordinance was adopted in 2003, and the City is now going through a process of identifying necessary updates and modifications to the zoning ordinance language, policies, and procedures.
How can I participate?
The Planning Commission will hold workshops on February 7th and May 1st to discuss the rezoning process and progress to date. The public is welcome at these meetings. The City will also hold public meetings to solicit comments and feedback on March 7th, June 5th, and August 7th at key points in the process. The general public is invited to participate in order to help City planning staff and the City’s consultant team develop the best recommendations possible for improving the zoning ordinance.
Comprehensive Plan
The City of Cambridge began the process of updating the 1996 Comprehensive PlanI in 2008. The goal was for the plan to create/instill a Community Vision among the citizens, planners, and city officials for the physical, business, and artistic growth of Cambridge. In February 2011, the Cambridge Commissioners approved Ordinance #1008, inclusive of Exhibit A, to formally adopt the City's new Comprehensive Plan, which sets forth a series of goals for the future prosperity of Cambridge. The Plan and supporting documents are available below:
The 2011 adopted Comprehensive Plan
2011 Comprehensive Plan Maps
- Composite
- Land Use
- Transportation
- Environmental Stewardship
Meeting Notice and Cancelation: The Planning and Zoning Commission will not meet as scheduled on Tuesday, November 1st at 7:00PM. This meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, November 8th, at 7:00PM at the Council Chambers, 305 Gay Street. The Board of Zoning Appeals will meet at 6:00PM on Tuesday, Nov. 8th at the same location. Both the P & Z and BZA meetings are workshops to discuss potential changes to the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. These meetings are open to the public.
Other Planning Studies/Maps/Projects/Schedules
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Little Blackwater River Watershed Management Plan - DRAFT |
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Historic Preservation Commission FY 2011-12 Schedule |
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Planning and Zoning Commission FY 2011-12 Schedule |
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Board of Zoning Appeals FY 2011-12 Schedule |
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Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Agenda-Tuesday, Sept. 20th, 2011 |
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Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Agenda-Tuesday, Sept. 27th, 2011 |
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