Planning Board OKs rental rules; cap questioned

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Planning Board backs short-term rental rules despite cap concerns

The Planning Board voted Tuesday to support updated short-term rental rules, part of a City Council zoning petition meant to stop abuse of existing regulations by owners of Airbnb-style properties. The amendments would revise operations and registration requirements, create a new "autonomous unit" category for rentals of an entire residence, and cap rentals at 90 days per year. Board members and operators pushed back on that cap, with one Cambridge resident warning that "a 90-day limit on owner-adjacent short-term rentals will effectively outlaw them."

Cambridge Day

Gov. Healey endorses Barber for open state Senate seat

Gov. Maura Healey endorsed state Rep. Christine Barber for the 2nd Middlesex District Senate seat Wednesday, Aug. 5, a day after outgoing Sen. Pat Jehlen also backed Barber. The primary is Sept. 1.

Cambridge Day

City unveils plan to cut permitting red tape for developers

City officials presented a plan Tuesday, Aug. 4, to speed up Cambridge's permitting process after the city ranked last among the 500 most populous U.S. cities for regulatory efficiency. The Community Development Department's three-pronged approach includes clarifying requirements and speeding interdepartmental review.

Cambridge Day

Superintendent disputes report that 60% of freshmen need algebra redo

At Tuesday's School Committee meeting (Aug. 4), Superintendent Dave Murphy disputed a circulated claim that 60% of rising CRLS ninth graders would need to retake Algebra 1, saying about 45% are scheduled for Algebra 1 while half will take a more advanced class in 2026-27.

Cambridge Day

Celebrity-chef food hall Wonder debuts in Kendall Square

The AI-incubated dining concept Wonder has opened its first Cambridge location in Kendall Square, offering kiosk-based, self-service dining with menus from celebrity chefs.

Cambridge Day

Black Business Month Procurement Fair kicks off in Cambridge

The Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network hosts a Professional Services Procurement Fair Thursday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 541 Massachusetts Ave., showcasing Black-owned, women-owned, and BIPOC-owned firms for National Black Business Month.

City of Cambridge

Fiddler Sophie Mae Wellington performs at Club Passim

Old-time fiddler, percussive dancer, and jazz vocalist Sophie Mae Wellington performs with The Asheville Mountain Boys at Club Passim in Harvard Square Thursday, Aug. 6, at 8 p.m.

Club Passim

Lovestruck Books & Cafe to host 'Steelborn' romantasy release event

Debut author Taylor J. LaRue discusses her romantasy novel 'Steelborn' with author Melissa Caruso at Lovestruck Books & Cafe in Harvard Square Thursday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m.

Lovestruck Books & Cafe

Historical Commission to review demolitions tonight

The Cambridge Historical Commission meets online Thursday, Aug. 6, from 6-10:30 p.m. to review demolition cases including 146 Spring St., 178-180 Elm St., and 78 Thorndike St.

Cambridge Historical Commission

G Flip plays The Sinclair tonight

G Flip performs at The Sinclair in Harvard Square Thursday, Aug. 6, at 8 p.m., with doors at 7 p.m.; the show is all ages.

The Sinclair

Gordon Sterling and Chris Fitz play Lizard Lounge tonight

Soul, funk, and blues-rock outfit Gordon Sterling & The People perform with singer-songwriter Chris Fitz at the Lizard Lounge in the Agassiz neighborhood Thursday, Aug. 6, at 8 p.m.

eventbrite.com

Healthworks Fitness hosts outdoor dance workout at Cambridge Common

Healthworks Fitness offers a free 80-minute open-air fitness dance party with Zumba, remix beats, and Bollywood-inspired choreography on the Cambridge Common Thursday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m.

healthworksfitness.com