Cambridge Seeking Community Members for New Commission Vacancies

Serving on a City of Cambridge board, commission or committee can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to our community. Members have the opportunity to participate in the City’s decision-making process across a variety of topics.

The City of Cambridge is currently seeking to fill vacancies on the Planning Board and Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board. The deadline to apply for the Planning Board vacancies is October 12 and the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board is October 31.

Apply today at Cambridgema.gov/Apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or boardsandcommissions@cambridgema.gov.

Below is more detailed information on each of the current vacancies:

Planning Board (Application Deadline: October 12)

The Planning Board is a group of Cambridge residents who make recommendations and decisions about urban development on behalf of the City of Cambridge. The Planning Board meets regularly in a public forum to discuss the City’s urban planning objectives, and apply them in the following ways:

• Reviewing major urban development proposals. Some development proposals need special permits, and the Planning Board has responsibility for granting them and putting conditions on their approval. Some proposals need advisory review, and the Planning Board gives feedback on the design. The Planning Board reviews about 15-20 development proposals each year.
• Reviewing proposed amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, which sets rules for urban development, and making recommendations to the City Council. The Planning Board reviews about 5-10 proposed zoning amendments each year.
• Making recommendations to the Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA) on some cases. The BZA is a different board that grants some special permits and variances.
• Discussing other city planning efforts.

The Planning Board has seven full members and two associate members that generally serve a five-year term and typically meet 2-3 times each month on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Members are expected to attend most meetings, which have been remote, but some are expected to be in-person again later in 2026.  Planning Board members receive $6,000 per year as a stipend, which is meant to offset out-of-pocket costs needed to accommodate serving on the Board. 
 
If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Swaathi Joseph in the Community Development Department at 617-349-4668, email sjoseph@cambridgema.gov or visit www.cambridgema.gov/planningboard.

Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board (Application Deadline: October 31)

The CCPD Advisory Board works to increase access to all aspects of Cambridge community life for people with disabilities. The Commission raises awareness about disability issues and promotes equal opportunities for people with a range of abilities, including physical, mental, and sensory. CCPD also provides information, referrals, guidance, and technical assistance to individuals and their families, employers, public agencies, businesses and private non-profit organizations. CCPD Advisory Board members work with other board members and office staff to carry out the CCPD Ordinance (Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.96).

The CCPD Advisory Board, which has 11 members who serve as volunteers for three-year terms, currently meets virtually on the second Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Members must attend monthly meetings and also take part in Working Groups and work on projects as needed.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact CCPD@cambridgema.gov, call 617-349-4692 (voice), or 711 (relay).