Cambridge City Council, Only The Planning Board is Dysfunctional

According to this policy initiative it is only the Planning Board that is "broken." Is the City Council capable of making housing available to less-than-upper class residents? Where were the citizens when Governor William Weld (Harvard College, cum laude, Harvard Law School, summa cum laude) and Harvard Law Professor Charles Fried repealed rent control using a statewide referendum? The City Council operates according to law (AHEM!) and reason (AH-HEM!!). But even if the current City Council consists of all rational, law abiding, public spirited, altruistic politicians (huh?), what happens next year or the year after that? Can elected officials who historically have shown contempt for laws be trusted to make policy decisions about development? It is bad enough as is, but at least there is the fragile egos of politicians who will respond to a large group of passionate citizens, to question decisions of the Planning Board. If the Council makes final decisions where do citizens go to counter an out-of-control council?

[From article]
While some residents raised concerns about the petition, others were in favor of it, arguing that the current Planning Board is "broken."
[. . .]
According to the petition, the City Council would be able to encourage the production of affordable and middle-income housing, mitigate against the impact of added traffic, promote the use of alternative modes of transit, and apply strong urban design criteria.
"When it comes to the big decisions, such as redevelopment of the Sullivan Courthouse, or large-scale development along the Alewife floodplain - we think elected policymakers ought to assume a more meaningful role in the process," the petition reads.

http://cambridge.wickedlocal.com/article/20140701/NEWS/140709594

Cambridge City Council could gain power over development proposals
By Sara Feijo
Posted Jul. 1, 2014 @ 1:35 pm
CAMBRIDGE Chronicle