Cambridge city officials had mixed reactions to President Neil L. Rudenstine's planned resignation, saying his minor interaction with the Cambridge community made it difficult to form strong ties during his tenure.

While most councillors said they liked Rudenstine as a person, they described his relationship with the council and Cambridge as similar to the one he enjoys with undergraduates--distant at best.

"I liked his nonchalant and affable personality, but sometimes it came off as being shy," said Councillor Michael A. Sullivan. "When you are the head of major university, there's a need to have a relationship with the [city] government."

Sullivan said while former President Derek C. Bok had "an active relationship with the previous council," Rudenstine depended on others within the University to handle community relations.

"He has relied on the government and community relations department," he said. "He hasn't developed personal relationships with anyone, which is not good."

Rudenstine said yesterday he thought he has had a positive relationship with the council but said some University initiatives have hampered the relationship.

"I think that it's never a question of the individual person or what the community in the larger aspect thinks or feels," Rudenstine said. "My own relations have been on the whole very, very good, but institutions are another matter because they affect large populations and not just individual government officials."

Despite little direct involvement with the city, Rudenstine said he would like to see key development projects in Cambridge approved before he finishes his tenure next June.