Leadership means setting policy that serves all residents — grounded in facts, guided by long-term vision, and shaped by thoughtful urban design. It does not mean choosing between the lesser of two flawed options and calling it compromise .

Nearly five years ago, the City Council set in motion a process to examine whether single- and two-family zoning should continue in Cambridge. The intent was broad, unbiased discussion rooted in data and public engagement — not a blanket mandate to upzone the entire city. That thoughtful process was never completed and has since been overtaken by rushed policymaking.

The contrast between committee approaches reveals the problem clearly. One committee invited voices calling for sweeping upzoning while another brought in urban planners urging context-

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