Cambridge City Council meeting - March 1, 2021

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Placed on File 9-0

2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to additional information and revised Financial Analysis for the Alewife Zoning Petition.
Referred to Committee Report #3; Placed on File 9-0

Mar 1, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached for your consideration, additional information and revised Financial Analysis for the Alewife Zoning Petition received from staff of the Community Development Department and the Law Department.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

To: Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
From: Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development
Date: Feb 25, 2021

Re: Alewife Quadrangle Northwest (Srinivasan, et al.) Zoning Petition

For the City Council’s consideration of the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Zoning Petition, CDD staff and the Law Department have provided the following attachments and information:

Previous Staff and Planning Board Materials

Attached are the Planning Board’s favorable recommendation on this petition (Jan 19, 2021) and previous CDD staff memos to the Planning Board dated Oct 17, 2019; Dec 10, 2019; Aug 28, 2020; and Dec 2, 2020. These materials were previously distributed to the Council and are available on CDD’s Zoning Amendments web page, and can be accessed from the links below:

• Planning Board Recommendation

o Jan 19, 2021

• CDD Memos to the Planning Board

o Dec 2, 2020

o Aug 28, 2020

o Dec 10, 2019

o Oct 17, 2019

• Planning Board Hearing Transcripts

o Dec 8, 2020

o Sept 8, 2020

o Dec 17, 2019

o Oct 22, 2019

Or visit: www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/Zoning/Amendments.

Revised Zoning Language

At the Planning Board’s request, CDD and Law Department staff had provided a comprehensive revision of the zoning petition language to provide greater clarity and consistency. In its recommendation to adopt the petition (received by the City Council on Feb 3, 2021), the Planning Board recommended that the City staff version be substituted for the filed language, with additional refinements. Most of the suggested refinements are meant to clarify the intent of the language, though the Board agreed with some requested changes from Cabot, Cabot & Forbes (CC&F) related to the height of above-grade parking attached to residential structures and allowances for limited ground-story retail. The attached language incorporates revisions drafted by CDD and Law Department staff in response to the Board’s recommendation.

In Ordinance Committee hearings, the Council discussed other issues that could be incorporated into the zoning language, including:

• Housing – The revised zoning requires that a development proposal must be in general conformance with the Alewife District Plan, which would include land use. The Alewife District Plan calls for residential use west of the extension of Spinelli Place, which is about 40-50% of the anticipated development area. If desired, the Council could add provisions in the “Criteria for Approval” section such as a minimum amount or percentage of residential use, and/or requirements for phasing. An approach used in past mixed-use developments has been to require the residential phase to commence before 60% of permitted commercial uses are built, and to complete the residential phase before or concurrently with the completion of commercial uses. Within these constraints, a timing and phasing plan for the development would be subject to review and approval by the Planning Board.

• Parking – This is also part of the required conformance with the Alewife District Plan as included in the revised text. As in other areas of redevelopment, the Alewife District Plan anticipates that parking would be used flexibly to serve uses throughout the area at different times while minimizing the number of parking spaces provided. Minimum parking ratios by use would be eliminated except for a smaller minimum for housing to mitigate possible impacts on public street parking, and maximum parking ratios by use would be established as follows:

o Retail: maximum 1.5 per 1,000 SF

o Office: maximum 1.1 per 1,000 SF

o R&D: maximum 0.8 per 1,000 SF

o Industrial: maximum 0.5 per 1,000 SF

o Residential: maximum 0.75 per dwelling unit, minimum .25 per dwelling unit

See potential zoning text related to Housing and Parking [below].

• Retail – The Alewife District Plan emphasizes light industrial spaces and community-focused business, which could include some retail or recreational functions, at the ground floors. The purpose is to preserve opportunities for a more diverse economic base and low-barrier-to-entry jobs. Retail uses are already allowed in the AOD zoning. In the Planning Board’s recommendation, which is reflected in the draft language, the Board was amenable to some allowance for retail uses to provide convenience for the surrounding area, with limitations to ensure that the main focus is on light industrial space. The economic viability of retail has been an ongoing concern, even in major retail centers, so this area might not be able to support a large amount of new retail space.

Economic Analysis

The City’s development economics consultant (Karl F. Seidman Consulting Services and Karp Strategies) was asked to update their financial analysis based on the additional information provided in the draft letter of commitment from CC&F. That updated analysis is attached. The analysis is still based on a comparison of the development value enabled by the additional office/lab development enabled by the petition (calculated as the maximum value of the 0.25 FAR bonus) in exchange for the commitments to creating the railroad crossing bridge as described in the draft letter. The revised memorandum also analyzes the approximately 50,000 square feet of light industrial and retail space included in the draft letter, which would be exempt from GFA limitations under the proposed zoning (as recommended in the Alewife District Plan) but is not expected to financially benefit the proposal due to the lower market rents for such space.

Example Housing Text:

Required Residential Development.

(1) At least forty percent (40%) of the total permitted GFA in a Master Plan shall be devoted to residential use as listed in Section 4.31, Paragraphs a. through h. of this Zoning Ordinance. Such calculation shall be based on GFA authorized exclusive of any GFA devoted solely to structured parking.

(2) The Master Plan shall include a Phasing Plan providing a general sequence for the construction of residential and non-residential uses. The Planning Board shall approve such a Phasing Plan if it is found to ensure that residential uses will be completed on a schedule that meets the objectives of the City and ensures compliance with the requirement set forth in Paragraph (1) above. Non-residential development on a Quadrangle Northwest Development Parcel shall not exceed, in the aggregate, sixty percent (60%) of the total non-exempt GFA permitted for non-residential uses until substantial construction activity of a significant portion of the required residential GFA within the Master Plan has commenced. Full completion of all of the permitted non-residential GFA shall not be allowed before substantial construction activity has commenced on all of the required residential GFA. The Planning Board may approve variations to the standards in this Paragraph if the Phasing Plan is found to be in general conformance with the intent of this Paragraph.

Example Parking Text:

Maximum Parking. Maximum allowed parking for a Master Plan shall be limited by applying the rates set forth below to each use within the Master Plan and taking the summation of the result for all uses. For any use not listed below, the maximum parking ratio set forth in Article 6.000 shall apply. Exceeding the maximum allowed parking shall require a waiver of maximum parking required under the general provisions of Article 6.000.

(a) Maximum of 1.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA for retail uses as listed in Sections 4.35 and 4.36 of this Zoning Ordinance.

(b) Maximum of 1.1 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA for office uses as listed in Section 4.34 Paragraphs a. through e. of this Zoning Ordinance, excluding technical offices for research and development.

(c) Maximum of 0.8 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA for technical office for research and development uses, Section 4.34 Paragraph f. of this Zoning Ordinance.

(d) Maximum of 0.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA for industry uses as listed in Sections 4.37 and 4.38 of this Zoning Ordinance.

(e) Maximum of 0.75 spaces per residential dwelling unit.

Srinivasan, et al. Revised Zoning Petition Text

At its hearing on Sept 8, 2020, the Planning Board directed the Community Development Department (CDD), in consultation with the Law Department, to draft language that reflects the intent of the Srinivasan, et al. Zoning Petition as well as the goals and concerns of the Board. On Dec 8, 2020, the Planning Board voted to recommend that the City Council adopt the Petition, after substituting the suggested zoning language from City staff and with consideration to several issues discussed at that hearing. This document reflects changes made by CDD following the Planning Board recommendation dated January 19, 2021 (markup shown).

20.930 Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Development.

20.930.1 Purpose. This Section is intended to establish a consolidated Master Plan review procedure and specific modifications to development standards for phased, multi-site projects seeking special permits within the provisions of Section 20.90 applicable to the Quadrangle Northwest District (AOD-1). The primary purpose is to advance the objectives of the Alewife District Plan and other applicable City policies and plans by encouraging well-planned development incorporating desired land uses and public improvements.

20.930.2 Master Plan Proposal. An application for special permits from the Planning Board for development in the Quadrangle Northwest District under the provisions of the Alewife Overlay Districts in Section 20.90, along with any other special permits requested, may be submitted in the form of a Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Proposal subject to the following provisions:

(a) Development Parcel. A Quadrangle Northwest Development Parcel subject to the provisions of this Section shall contain one or more contiguous or noncontiguous lots wholly or partially within the Quadrangle Northwest District. The minimum size of a Development Parcel shall be the greater of (1) three acres or (2) seventy-five percent of the area of a lot or combination of lots (a) in existence as of Aug 27, 2020 and (b) held in common ownership as of Aug 27, 2020 where it is proposed to incorporate any portion of such lot or lots within the Development Parcel.

(b) Aggregate Development Standards. For the purpose of a Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Proposal, the Quadrangle Northwest Development Parcel shall be considered a single lot for purposes of calculating allowable GFA and GFA bonuses, Floor Area Ratio, dwelling units, parking, loading, bicycle parking, and open space requirements.

(c) Master Plan Proposal Submission. A Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Proposal shall contain a list of special permits being sought, all other forms and documentation required for the special permits being sought, and the following Master Plan information in sufficient detail that the Planning Board can reasonably assess the impact of the Master Plan and its conformance with the Master Plan Criteria set forth in Section 20.930.4:

(1) Site Development Plan — describing how the Master Plan area is divided into distinct building sites, streets, and open spaces and showing the locations and conceptual designs of streets, open spaces, and other site infrastructure, including cross-sections and elements such as paving, plantings, grading, and other major site features;

(2) Development Program – summarizing the major development characteristics of the Master Plan including proposed land uses by Gross Floor Area, number of dwelling units, parking spaces, loading bays, long-term and short-term bicycle parking spaces, and open space, both for the Quadrangle Northwest Development Parcel at an aggregate level and for each component building site, presented in tabular form;

(3) Site Massing Plan — illustrating the height and massing of building volumes for each proposed building site, including the massing of mechanical equipment located above the roofs of buildings, and including studies of anticipated shadow impacts;

(4) Parking and Loading Plan — identifying the locations, sizes, and number of spaces of all vehicle parking facilities, bicycle parking facilities, and facilities for loading or other vehicular service functions, and an operations plan describing how the facilities will be assigned and managed;

(5) Connectivity Plan — illustrating all pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular circulation routes within the Master Plan area, their connections to nearby public circulation routes and destinations outside the Master Plan area, and approximate locations of access and egress points on each building and parking facility within the Master Plan area;

(6) Open Space Plan — illustrating and quantifying the areas of all proposed open space and the ownership and designation of each area, as well as descriptions of major design elements and themes to be incorporated into each space and the types of uses and activities that could be accommodated in each space, including areas that will be designated for programmed uses;

(7) Ground Floor Tenanting and Activation Plan — illustrating the conceptual arrangement of uses at the ground story of each building in the Development Parcel, in particular light industrial uses, or ~~community-focused businesses that require light industrial space~~ businesses that require light industrial space but also include a consumer-facing or community-focused component as identified in the Alewife District Plan, along with retail and other active uses, residential and office lobbies, and utility spaces, and plans for programming and activating those spaces including a report from a specialist describing strategies for recruiting and supporting tenants in a manner that will support the goals of the Alewife District Plan;

(8) Housing Plan — providing the approximate number and mix of housing unit types proposed on each residential site;

(9) Phasing Plan — describing the general sequence and timeline for the detailed design and construction of all major project elements, including buildings, landscaping, streets, and utilities, and the completion or conveyance of any public infrastructure or property interests;

(10) Sustainability Plan — describing: (i) how the sustainability requirements set forth in Section 22.20 will be met; (ii) expected greenhouse gas emissions from the development and strategies employed to improve energy efficiency and support renewable energy production through individual building design and by utilizing existing or new districtwide energy systems, with reference to the recommendations of the City’s Net Zero Action Plan; and (iii) expected vulnerability of the development to the effects of climate change, including increased precipitation, flood risk, temperature, and urban heat island effect, and strategies to promote resiliency within individual building sites and within the Master Plan as a whole, including natural stormwater management systems, increased vegetation and shade, and measures to withstand and recover from extreme climatological events, with reference to the recommendations of the City’s relevant Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience planning documents;

(11) Transportation Plan — incorporating: (i) a Transportation Impact Study required by Section 19.20; (ii) a Shared Parking Study that identifies opportunities for reducing the total amount of parking required to serve all uses through the sharing of parking spaces by multiple uses; (iii) a study of the impacts of increased demand on public transportation services in the Alewife area; (iv) a description of the development's relationship to future regional rail, bus, pedestrian/bicycle, and other transportation system connections in the area; and (v) a Transportation Demand Management and Mitigation program describing measures to offset or mitigate the development proposal’s impacts on transportation systems, including but not limited to impacts of truck traffic and loading activities;

(12) Environmental Comfort Plan — providing professional assessments of the impacts of the development on neighboring properties and the general public in terms of excessive noise, lighting, wind, and shadows, and describing measures taken to mitigate such impacts through building location and massing, arrangement of uses, screening, and other building and site improvements; and

(13) Architectural Character Plan — describing general approaches to the design of buildings, landscaped areas, streets, and pathways, identifying the type of visual character that the development will aim to achieve, with the expectation that specific designs of individual buildings and spaces will be reviewed in further detail as they are developed.

20.930.3 Master Plan Approval. The Planning Board may grant a Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Special Permit, incorporating ~~all~~ any approved special permits for the Development Parcel, subject to the following provisions:

(a) Criteria. In addition to the general special permit criteria set forth in Section 10.43, the Project Review Special Permit criteria set forth in Section 19.25, and all other criteria applicable to the special permits being sought, the Planning Board shall find that the following criteria are met when granting a Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Special Permit:

(1) The Master Plan is in substantial conformance with the vision, goals, and recommendations set forth in the Alewife District Plan, including any amendments to the Alewife District Plan or future City planning reports that address the Alewife District, including but not limited to the topics of land use, open space, urban form, mobility, climate and environment, housing, economy, and zoning, and with any urban design guidelines published by the City pursuant to the Alewife District Plan or any amendments thereto or future planning reports that address the Alewife District;

(2) The Master Plan is in substantial conformance with applicable standards for flood and heat resilience recommended through the City’s Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience planning efforts or future climate change planning efforts; and

(3) The Master Plan will result in the completion of a publicly accessible connection for bicyclists and pedestrians, at a minimum, across the railroad right of way between the Triangle District and the Quadrangle Northwest District, with conditions incorporated into the project phasing that will ensure its completion. A connection that accommodates passenger shuttles is desirable.

(b) Conditions. The Quadrangle Northwest District Master Plan Special Permit shall set forth conditions to ensure that the applicable criteria are met, including but not limited to the following conditions:

(1) Approved land uses and dimensional characteristics of the Master Plan at an aggregate level and for individual building sites;

(2) Required public improvements and other benefits such as infrastructure and open space;

(3) Required measures to mitigate development impacts, including but not limited to transportation impacts and construction activity;

(4) Procedures for review and approval of the designs of individual buildings, open spaces, public improvements, and other components of the Master Plan; and

(5) Timing and phasing for completion of the different components of the Master Plan, including but not limited to required public improvements, benefits, and mitigation.

(c) Commencement. The commencement of construction of any single building approved in a Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Special Permit shall constitute exercise of the special permit for purposes of M.G.L. Chapter 40A and Section 10.46 of this Zoning Ordinance. The timing of completion shall be set forth by the Planning Board in the conditions of the special permit, which timing may be extended by the Planning Board upon a showing of good cause, and shall be subject to other conditions related to timing and phasing set forth in the special permit conditions.

(d) Amendments. A Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Special Permit may identify specific modifications to the Master Plan that may be subject to future approval by a written determination of the Planning Board. Otherwise, the Planning Board shall determine whether a proposed modification is a Major Amendment or Minor Amendment according to the standards set forth in Sections 12.37.1 through 12.37.3 of this Zoning Ordinance.

20.930.4 Modifications to Standards. Except as otherwise set forth herein, any project receiving a Quadrangle Northwest District Master Plan Special Permit shall comply with all other applicable development standards set forth in this Zoning Ordinance. The following modifications may be authorized by the Planning Board upon granting a Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Special Permit:

(1) The Additional FAR ~~Applicable to Public Improvements set forth in Section 20.95.11 of this Zoning Ordinance shall be applicable to a Quadrangle Northwest Development Parcel, and the~~ provisions of Paragraph (1) of Section 20.95.11 of this Zoning Ordinance may be applied to a Quadrangle Northwest Development Parcel in its entirety if the proposed development incorporates construction of a publicly accessible pedestrian and bicycle bridge connection across the railroad right of way between the Quadrangle Northwest District and the Triangle District or incorporation of structural elements into a building's design that includes or would permit future construction of such a pedestrian connection (that are acceptable to the City for that purpose), as well as the conveyance (in a form acceptable to the City) of the necessary fee or easement property interests in land that would permit access to such a connection, in a manner and to an extent determined to be sufficient to significantly advance the objectives of the Alewife District Plan ~~a publicly accessible pedestrian bridge connection across the railroad right of way between the Quadrangle Northwest District and the Triangle District~~.

(2) The height of any building, regardless of use, may be increased to a maximum of eighty-five (85) feet, but shall remain subject to the limitations of Section 20.95.2, Paragraph 1(a) within 100 feet or 200 feet of a residential or Open Space district, provided the Planning Board finds that the entire leasable ground story of any nonresidential building (excluding entrances/exits, lobbies, circulation, utilities, loading, and other functions necessary to serve upper-story uses or the building as a whole) is planned, designed, and constructed for the occupancy of light industrial uses and/or ~~consumer-facing uses~~ businesses that require light industrial space but also include a consumer-facing or community-focused component as described in the Economy Recommendations of the Alewife District Plan, with floor-to-ceiling heights that the Board finds to be suitable for such uses. The Planning Board may approve a limited number of Retail and Consumer Service Establishments to provide neighborhood amenities if they do not collectively occupy more than twenty percent (20%) of any building’s total Ground Story and the Board finds that they do not detract from the emphasis on light industrial spaces as described in the Alewife District Plan. A residential building, which may include above-grade structured parking that is located to the rear of and visually screened from the street by principal-use residential space, may also be increased to a maximum of eight-five (85) feet without being required to meet the other requirements of this Paragraph.

(3) If the Planning Board finds that the ground story of any building requires elevation above the existing mean grade in order to conform to flood resilience standards as established by the City, then the maximum height of any building may be further increased by not more than four (4) feet or the difference between the ground story finished floor elevation and the existing mean grade, whichever is lesser. To make such finding, the Planning Board shall have received and reviewed a written report from the City Engineer describing flood resilience standards applicable and the impact of those standards to the development site.

(4) Spaces within the ground story of any non-residential building that are reserved for light industrial uses or ~~consumer-facing uses~~ businesses that require light industrial space but also include a consumer-facing or community-focused component as described in the Economy Recommendations of the Alewife District Plan may be excluded from the calculation of Gross Floor Area for the purpose of applying the limitations and requirements of this Zoning Ordinance, provided that the dimensions of such spaces, their permitted range of approved uses, and other conditions to ensure that the intent of the Alewife District Plan is met shall be set forth in writing by the Planning Board in the Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Special Permit.

(5) Applicable minimum parking requirements shall be waived, and the Planning Board shall set forth maximum limitations and other conditions pertaining to the development and operation of off-street parking facilities in accordance with the Mobility Recommendations of the Alewife District Plan.

(6) Applicable yard requirements and limitations, with the exception of requirements for yards abutting a residential or Open Space district as set forth in Paragraph (2) of Section 20.95.31 of this Zoning Ordinance, shall be modified to the extent necessary to conform to the recommended building setbacks and street sections recommended in the Urban Form and Mobility Recommendations of the Alewife District Plan, as approved by the Planning Board.

Date: Jan 19, 2021
Subject: Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay District (Srinivasan, et al.) Zoning Petition
Recommendation: The Planning Board recommends ADOPTION, with comments and suggested modifications.

To the Honorable, the City Council,

On Dec 8, 2020, the Planning Board (the “Board”) held a public hearing to discuss the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay District (Srinivasan, et al.) Zoning Petition (the “Petition”). The proposed changes include a new section, 20.95.5, that would allow increased building height to a maximum of 85 feet, enabling of a 0.25 FAR “infrastructure bonus” for construction or accommodation of a pedestrian/bicycle railroad crossing (currently available only in AOD-2, AOD-4, and AOD-6 Districts), and exemption of certain building floor area from Gross Floor Area (GFA) calculations in the AOD-1 District upon granting of a special permit from the Board. The proposed new section also sets forth procedures for Master Plan Special Permit review and approval of developments involving the redevelopment of three (3) or more acres of land and the construction of three (3) or more new buildings. The stated intent of the new section is, “To encourage landowners to create spaces suitable for light industrial tenants and other, consumer-facing tenants requiring increased floor-to-floor heights.” This is the fourth version of this Petition, in concept, referred by the City Council; the Board held hearings on prior versions on Oct 22, 2019, Dec 17, 2019, and Sept 8, 2020. Representatives of Cabot, Cabot and Forbes (CC&F), an owner of land in the affected district, have been the lead presenters of the Petition.

Following the hearing held on Sept 8, 2020, the Board directed staff from the Community Development Department (CDD), in consultation with the Law Department, to draft revised language that reflected the intent of the Petitioner as well as the goals and concerns of the Board.

Language from City staff was included in the CDD memo dated Dec 2, 2020. In response to CDD’s memo, CC&F sent a communication to the Board dated Dec 4, 2020 suggesting modifications to the language from staff. The Board’s discussion focused on the language suggested by staff and the response from CC&F.

The majority of Board members expressed support for CDD staff’s version of the zoning petition, though Board members identified some sections in which the language could be better clarified.

Regarding the modifications suggested by CC&F, Board members expressed a range of views. In particular, some Board members raised concerns that CC&F’s modifications would not guarantee the construction of a bridge over the MBTA railroad tracks, which Board members generally agreed is a crucial aspect of this proposal. The following summarizes some of the comments made by Board members:

• Regarding the request for a “Bridge Financial Backstop,” some members indicated that if development is allowed to proceed but the bridge is not constructed, it would not be a favorable outcome for the City even if a financial contribution is made. Others heard the concerns raised by CC&F about financial risk, but suggested that the alternative contribution, if permissible, should be substantial enough to make the construction of the bridge a more favorable option. One Board member suggested stronger language requiring that the Planning Board may approve an alternative to bridge construction only if it determines that construction of a bridge is infeasible and that equivalent public benefits are being provided.

• Regarding “Other Bridge Contributions,” Board members expressed concerns about the proposal to expand the 0.25 FAR bonus to sites that only make financial contributions to the construction of a bridge. The Alewife District Plan recommends that new development should make financial contributions for public infrastructure, but not for additional density bonuses above the current amounts.

• Regarding “Garage Heights,” Board members supported a maximum building height of 85 feet for structured parking without requiring light industrial uses at the ground story only if it is part of an otherwise predominantly residential building.

• Regarding “Ground Floor Activation,” Board members were generally supportive of CC&F’s recommendation to allow restaurants, coffee shops, and similar neighborhood retail uses as a portion of ground-story spaces, though some members suggested a limit on the square footage based either on an absolute number or a ratio to retain the emphasis on light industrial space.

As demonstrated above, Board members agreed that the construction of a bridge across the MBTA railroad tracks is highly desirable and preferable to a financial contribution. The Board encourages the City Council to carefully consider to what extent a bridge may or may not be guaranteed as part of a Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Special Permit and what types of alternatives would be acceptable to the City. With these considerations in mind, the Board voted to recommend that the City Council adopt the Petition, after substituting the suggested zoning language from City staff and with consideration to the issues discussed above, with all eight members present voting in favor.

Respectfully submitted for the Planning Board,
Catherine Preston Connolly, Chair.

Memorandum for the CITY OF CAMBRIDGE Regarding Financial Analysis for the Alewife Zoning Petition
Revised Memo 2/24/2021 Prepared by Karl F. Seidman Consulting Services & Karp Strategies

CHARTER RIGHT
1. The Health & Environment Committee met on Oct 13, 2020 to conduct a public hearing to discuss amending the Tree Protection Ordinance based on the findings of the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN IN COUNCIL FEB 22, 2021]
Tabled 9-0 (Zondervan)

ON THE TABLE
2. Resolution on the death of William Leeds. [TABLED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL JAN 11, 2021 CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL JAN 4, 2021]

4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-64, requesting Home Rule language to allow for acoustic live entertainment performances in small businesses under certain conditions without a license. [TABLED IN COUNCIL FEB 22, 2021]

5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-63, which requested a review of the granting of an extension for the 605 Concord Avenue project. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCIL NOLAN IN COUNCIL FEB 3, 2021; TABLED IN COUNCIL FEB 8, 2021]
Placed on File 9-0

6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a further response to Calendar Item Number 2, regarding a report on reviewing the granting of an extension for the 605 Concord Avenue project, which was previously answered as Awaiting Report Item Number 20-63 on Feb 1, 2021. [TABLED IN COUNCIL FEB 22, 2021]
Placed on File 9-0

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-108, regarding a report on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee Elections. [PENDING RESPONSE FROM LEGISLATURE]

8. The City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the City of Cambridge Law Department to review the above changes to the language of the Domestic Partnerships Ordinance and report back to the Council. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER SEPT 14, 2020]

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Patrick Conte, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 303 Binney Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Response has been received from the neighborhood association.
Adopted 9-0

2. An application was received from TD Bank, requesting permission for 4 (four) awnings at the premises numbered 617 Massachusetts Avenue. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutters.
Charter Right - Zondervan

3. A Zoning Petition has been received from Beals Associates Inc. regarding Broad Canal Subdistrict Zoning Petition as submitted with strike outs.
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from James J. Rafferty, regarding curb cut application 105729 303-325 Binney Street.

6. A communication was received from Patrick Barton, regarding Alewife Zoning Petition Bridge Issue.

7. A communication was received from Lee Farris, regarding Residents Alliance support for Policy Order #'s 1, 2, 3 and 4.

8. A communication was received from John Chun, regarding opposition to Alewife AOD-1 Zoning Petition.

9. A communication was received from John Chun, regarding opposition to Alewife AOD-1 Zoning Petition.

10. A communication was received from F. William Green, regarding Policy Order #2.

11. A communication was received from Charles T. Hinds, regarding MBTA Commuter Rail Facility Noise.

12. A communication was received from Caroline Lowenthal, regarding Opening Gold star pool earlier in the season.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Congratulating Gather Here on its 10th Anniversary. Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey

2. Congratulations to Roger Lau for being hired as the Deputy Executive Director to the Democratic National Convention. Councillor McGovern

3. COVID-19 Memorial Day. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons

ORDERS
1. Lowell Street Property. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

3. Budget Reallocation Update. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

4. Shelter Wages. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Charter Right - Zondervan (with Mallon amendments pending)

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. The Ordinance Committee met on Dec 16, 2020 to conduct a public hearing on the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay petition.
Report Accepted; Referred to Report #2

2. The Ordinance Committee met on Feb 10, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the Alewife zoning petition.
Report Accepted; Referred to Report #3

3. The Ordinance Committee met on Feb 16, 2020 to conduct a public hearing to continue discussion on the Alewife zoning petition.
Report Accepted; Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended by Substitution 6-3 (DC,MM,PN,DS,JSW,SS - YES; AM,TT,QZ - NO)

2. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, communicating information from the School Committee.
Placed on File 9-0

To: Cambridge City Council
From: Sumbul Siddiqui, Mayor
Date: Feb 25th, 2021
Subject: Communicating information from the School Committee

To the Honorable, the City Council:

On Feb 23rd, 2021, the CPS community was given the tragic news that a young CRLS student, Sina Ball, took her own life. Sina was a smart and hardworking 16-year-old student, who made a lasting impact on her teachers, classmates, and all who knew her. The Cambridge community is mourning the loss of this young life and my thoughts are with her family during this painful time.

It is important for us to check in on each other and acknowledge pain as a community. Cambridge is a close community of individuals who are here for one another and we have to show compassion and hold each other in this moment. This year has been so difficult, especially for our youth, and it is imperative that we are able to create a space where everyone feels safe to reach out to a trusted adult and talk through any feelings of loss, grief, mental health struggles, or suicidal thoughts.

Here are some resources that my Office has been sharing:

• CRLS Teen Health Center: (617) 665-1548 | Appointment Information

• NAMI: (617) 984-0527 | Support Groups

• Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth): (866) 488-7386 | text 678678

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255 | Online Chat

• Riverside Trauma Center: (888) 851-2451 | Tips on Coping - How We React to a Death

At the school level, CRLS held a moment of silence in remembrance of Sina during Block 3 classes on Wed, Feb 24th and made sure to have School Social Workers, School Psychologists, administrators, and staff from the Riverside Trauma Center available to meet with and provide support to students and staff both in-person and remotely.

Staff members are also able to utilize the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which provides free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, prevention, and education services for staff and their dependents. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year.

At 7:30pm on Thurs, Feb 25th, the School Committee is having a Special Meeting to adopt an Interim Superintendent job posting and an initial timeline for the Superintendent Search. We are hoping that the job posting can go live by Mon, Mar 1st. The agenda with both documents is available here.

Starting Mar 1st, the technology Mobile Help Desk at the corner of Felton and Broadway will have new hours: Mon – Friday from 12:00pm-4:00pm.

CPS and the Cambridge Public Health Department have announced additional details of our expanded COVID-19 testing plan for CPS students and staff. The student testing plan will include surveillance testing and pooled testing for asymptomatic individuals as well as symptomatic testing for students displaying symptoms during the school day. Please check out these videos of CPS kindergartener Dominic and CPS staff member Ricardo demonstrating COVID-19 testing with Tracy Rose-Tynes, MS, RN, from the Cambridge Public Health Department.

The Cambridge Public Health Department and CPS encourage all members of the community to do your part in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Here are some new COVID-19 safety resources that have been created:

o A video of pediatrician Dr. Lisa Dobberteen sharing 4 key safety tips

o Masks Keep You Healthy

o Safety Wherever You Go

o What Should I Do?

o Investing in COVID-19 Safety

Thanks to the CPS Technical Services staff, we have completed a multi-year project to upgrade the district’s Internet 2 bandwidth from 1GB to 10GB, providing the district with a total internet bandwidth of 11GB. This has been a complex project in the works for over 3 years, involving coordination with Harvard, MIT, the Northern Crossroads, and multiple City agencies but has been accelerated to support the Mar 1st expansion of in-person learning.

We are continuing our planning for the FY22 Budget and have been gathering the perspectives of our community members. The Superintendent will be presenting a draft of his budget proposal to the School Committee on Mar 18th.

The CSUS and King Open campus has received the Green Building Award for its sustainability and energy efficiency. The Community Complex is the City’s first municipal building (and the second school in the nation) to attain LEED V4 Platinum Certification from the US Green Building Council, which developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification program as the standard for green building design, construction, operation, and performance. This building is designed to use 44% less energy than a typical school building and exemplifies our City’s commitment to going green.

A group of Cambridge School Committee members, educators, and community partners came together in late 2020 to create the Cambridge Collective and answer the question: “How can we provide young people opportunities to be with one another and caring adults?”. From their conversations, “Down with Design” was born – a series of safe, outdoor, social opportunities for high school students designed by CRLS students in 10th and 11th grade, to be held on the last Sunday of each month through June.

On Sun, Jan 17th, “Down with Design” brought 22 CRLS students to Starlight Square where the young designers provided music, journaling stations, a collaborative art project, and discussion/reflection prompts, both at Starlight and during a walk around Sennott Park. The second event will be on Sun, Feb 28th at Starlight Square.

For next week’s Regular Meeting of the School Committee at 6:00pm on Tues, Mar 2nd, I am supporting the motions of our Student Members Anaïs Killian and Nuriel Vera-DeGraff to:

• Close the gap of access to free menstrual products for students in remote learning (#21-65)

• And implement the use of a text messaging tool such as the Remind app to provide students with school and district-wide updates (#21-66)

• Please take a look at the full motions on the agenda here. Sign-up for public comment will be available here until 5:30pm on Tues, Mar 2nd

Our upcoming meetings are as follows:

Thurs, Feb 25th, 2021

Special Education and Student Supports Subcommittee | 6:00pm

To discuss the information regarding Grid B and Grid C services and what it will like for 4th, 5th, upper, and high school scholars

Special Meeting | 7:30pm

To adopt any recommendations of the Ad-Hoc Superintendent Search Subcommittee

Tues, Mar 2nd, 2021

Regular Meeting | 6:00pm

Tues, Mar 16th, 2021

Regular Meeting | 6:00pm

Thurs, Mar 18th, 2021

Special Meeting | 6:00pm

To review the Superintendent’s FY22 Proposed Budget

Tues, Mar 23rd, 2021

Budget Workshop | 6:00pm

To review the Superintendent’s FY22 Proposed Budget

Tues, Mar 25th, 2021

Public Hearing | 6:00pm

To have a public hearing on the Superintendent’s FY22 Proposed Budget

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, suggestions, or concerns.

Respectfully,
Sumbul Siddiqui

HEARING SCHEDULE (via Zoom and TV)
Mon, Mar 1
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, Mar 4
5:00pm The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss with neighborhood groups their successes and challenges and how the City can better support them, as well as ideas related to the Envision plan. (Zoom only)

Fri, Mar 5
10:00am The Housing Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss implementing a condominium conversion ordinance. (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Mar 10
5:00pm The Ordinance Committee will meet to continue discussion on the Real Estate Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition (of July 27, 2020). (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Ordinance Committee conducted a public hearing on the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay petition.
Date: Wed, Dec 16, 2020, 5:30pm, Sullivan Chamber

Present: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan
Absent: Toomey

Councillor Carlone called the meeting to order.

In response to a question from Councillor Zondervan about the validity of the petition, City Solicitor Nancy Glowa stated that the petition is valid so long as there are 10 registered voters of Cambridge who signed the petition. She stated that the question of whether the Council can consider contract zoning is unrelated to the question of whether it's a citizen petition or not. It has to do with the question of the property owner whose land is going to be affected by the zoning, offering some inducements to the Council, and some mitigating benefits to the Council to mitigate the effects of the zoning on the community.

Councillor Carlone opened the floor to the petitioner.

Jay Doherty, Chief Executive Officer at Cabot, Cabot and Forbes made a presentation to the Council which is attached to these minutes. He explained that the petitioner is attempting to facilitate a public bridge over the MBTA commuter rail tracks that would connect Smith place in the quadrangle to Cambridge Park Drive in the triangle. One of the primary points of the petition is to allow nonresidential buildings in the AOD-1 to become taller buildings in order to accommodate the light industrial uses.

Miguel Rosales, principal at Rosales Partners, explained the design of the bridge.

In response to a question from Councillor Carlone, Mr. Doherty stated that the petitioner is committed to a 50 foot setback, open, no-build from the neighborhood residences.

Councillor Carlone opened the floor to City staff.

Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development,

Jeffrey Roberts, Zoning Project Planner, described the Planning Board discussion about the petition. He stated that the Planning Board raised concerns about allowing other property owners, in the district, additional density for contributing financially to the bridge. The Planning Board was generally in favor of, in the case of a building that that might have residential uses, in addition to parking, there could be other uses, and in that type of building.

Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development, stated the petition incorporates many of the recommendations from the Envision process. The process also contemplated the potential for additional height in order to accommodate those uses. She stated that the petition has very strong links to climate change resilience and buildings being responsive to the anticipated flooding.

Councillor Carlone opened the floor to public comment.

Suzanne Blier, 5 Fuller Place, stated that is was critical to have housing. She stated that it was deeply disappointing that the petition did not include housing. She was concerned that the language in the petition may not, in fact, hold the petitioner to creating a bridge.

Mike Barry, 32 Kilsythe Road, Arlington, stated that the bridge is a good idea but he is looking for a more holistic approach. He hopes that the City will aggressively oversee this project to ensure that the green space proposals are expanded.

John Chun, 48 Loomis Street, expressed concerns over the petition. The proposed height and density of these buildings will create a forest of towering buildings in this neighborhood.

Lee Farris, 269 Norfolk Street, speaking for the Cambridge Residence Alliance. Her understanding was that the developers will not get funding for the project if they have to guarantee a bridge. She stated that there needs to be a cap on the amount of square feet for ancillary uses, like restaurants and coffee shops, etc.

James Williamson, 1000 Jackson Place, stated that there are real capacity issues in this area, it already is looking rather significantly built up. He expressed concerns about having cyclists and pedestrians using the bridge at the same time.

Jonathan Agger, 1 Loomis Street, stated that the petition is the first and clearly the most significant step toward transforming in this area and should more significantly reflect the neighborhood centric portions, not simply the commercial ones. He wanted the bridge to be a prerequisite to granting the petition. A single bridge really does not address the needs of the majority of the current workers and residents in the area. Three bridges would be optimal. Two bridges creating a loop for a shuttle with both directly benefit the residents at large but also provide linkage to potential customer servicing businesses.

Mike Nakagawa, 51 Madison Avenue, stated that the original plan for the area was designed for working class jobs, and limiting development. The allowable development, the area would help keep property values low enough so that businesses could afford to stay in rather than turning it into high use areas and increasing the property values.

Danica Mari, 23 Normandy Avenue, did not want Alewife to become another Kendall square. She hopes that there will be jobs for people that do not work in the technology or life science sectors.

Yen Ting, 27 Normandy Terrace, stated that the project may have a detrimental impact on the quality of life of the neighborhood.

Doug Brown, 35 Standish Street, stated this petition has no requirement to build housing of any type despite any developer promises to the contrary. He expressed concern that the petitioner will sell the parcels once the upzoning is complete.

Eric Greenbaum, 98 Montgomery Street, expressed concerns about the petitioner and the process.

Susan Agger, 1 Loomis Street, urged the City to consider holistically the watershed as development occurs, this large development will no doubt have an impact on the hydrology of the area.

Ann Tennis, 71 Griswold street, expressed concerns about the impact of the development on the neighborhood.

Amy Flax, 86 Normandy Avenue, wanted the City to create a holistic plan for residents of this area.

Michael Brandon, 27 Seven Pines Avenue, stated that the City has really failed for decades to do a good job of comprehensive planning. He stated that the area needs more than a pedestrian bridge.

Councillor Carlone opened the floor to questions from the Council.

In response to a question from Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler about parking spaces, Mr. Doherty explained that the concept is a residential structure. The specifics of the design, in terms of the exact number of spaces would be part of the special permit process, as would the actual design of any of the buildings including the residential component. The current approval ratio of parking that the City has been following in this area would expect the garage to have about 700 spaces of shared use for daytime employees.

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler stated the he would rather see additional housing instead of parking spaces.

In response to a question from Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler about the bridge, Mr. Doherty stated the bridge length will be about 800 feet and about 15 to 20 feet wide.

Mr. Rosales added that do not want the bridge to become a highway structure.

Councillor Carlone moved to suspend the rules to extend the meeting to 8:00pm.
Yea: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan, Siddiqui, Carlone
Absent: Simmons, Toomey

In response to a question from Councillor McGovern about a financial analysis, Ms. Farooq stated that the City has hired a consultant to complete the financial analysis. She stated that the analysis may be available in early February.

In response to a question from Councillor McGovern about the petitioner’s authorization to build the bridge, Mr. Doherty stated that he has been meeting with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for two years. He did not have concerns that the MBTA would be against the project.

Jim McGrail, an attorney representing the petitioner, stated that the MBTA has been extremely cooperative but this will take time.

In response to a question from Councillor Zondervan about housing, Mr. Doherty explained that upon approval of this petition the petitioner would forward with the bridge and formalize the master plan, which would go before the Planning Board as part of a special permit process. The current plan is 60% - 40% or 55% - 45% commercial to residential.

In response to a question from Councillor Zondervan about a letter of commitment, Mr. Doherty stated that the petitioner is prepared to enter into a letter of commitment.

Ms. Farooq added that the Council has included a minimum percentage of housing in the zoning requirements.

Vice Mayor Mallon confirmed the Cabot, Cabot and Forbes purchased a parcel at 67 Smith Place.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Mallon why this is a citizens petition and not a developers petition, Mr. Doherty explained that the petitioners that have executed the petition are individuals that are associated with current activities on the site. Some of them are members of the rock climbing club, and were anxious to participate.

In response to a question from Councillor Nolan resident access to the park via the bridge, Mr. Doherty explained that DCR is not anxious to see any kind of additional improvements made to Blair Pond.

Councillor Nolan emphasized that it was important to knit the community together.

Councillor Carlone moved to suspend the rules to extend the meeting to 8:30pm.
Yea: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan, Siddiqui, Carlone
Absent: Simmons, Toomey

Mayor Siddiqui explained that she did want the bridge but that there were a number of outstanding issues that affected its ability to be built.

In response to a question from Councillor Nolan about the relationship between the petition and the Alewife District plan, Ms. Farooq explained that most of the big issues are addressed. There are things that have been deferred to the special permit stage.

Mr. Roberts explained that the Alewife District Plan is more expansive, it looks at a lot of different areas. So it would require a much more comprehensive effort to cover all of it. If this proposal truly does have the ability to accelerate the creation of this railroad crossing, then that that would makes it worthwhile. The petition is based on work that City staff did in consultation with the law department.

Vice Mayor Mallon encouraged the body to keep the petition in committee and have a further meeting.

In response to a question from Councillor Zondervan, Mr. Doherty explained that he has had direct conversation about this with Secretary Pollock's Office and they are strongly in favor of the bridge.

In response to Councillor Zondervan’s concern about why the City has not been trying to build a bridge, Ms. Farooq stated that over the years the City has had several conversations with the MBTA about procuring funding for a bridge connection. The City received pushback from the MBTA and MASSDOT particularly around the commuter rail stop in terms of what impact that would have on the overall service along the line.

Councillor Carlone moved to adjourn at 8:22pm.
Yea: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan, Carlone
Absent: Simmons, Toomey, Siddiqui

1. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Arvind Srinivasan regarding zoning language relative to the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay.

2. A communication was received from JACOB VANCE, Senior Development Manager of Cabot, Cabot & Forbes, transmitting a communication for the Dec 16, 2020 meeting of the Ordinance Committee.

3. A communication was received from Jeffrey Roberts, Director of Zoning and Development, transmitting a memorandum from the Community Development Department regarding the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest (Srinivasan, et al.) Zoning Petition.

Committee Report #2
The Ordinance Committee met to continue a public hearing on the Alewife zoning petition.
Date: Wed, Feb 10, 2021, 5:30pm, Sullivan Chamber

Present: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Simmons (late), Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey, Zondervan
Absent: Siddiqui

Councillor Dennis Carlone called the meeting to order. He opened the floor to the petitioner.

Jacob Vance, Project Manager at Cabot, Cabot and Forbes, gave a PowerPoint presentation to the committee, which is attached to these minutes. He explained that the goal overall is to connect the quadrangle to the triangle, and make the Red Line station, more accessible to this entire area of Cambridge, not just our project.

Benjamin Kou, Senior Associate Architectural Designer at Sasaki Associates, explained that the project as designed to adhere to sustainability resiliency and add to the tree canopy. He further explained how the design would fit into the character of the neighborhood.

Councillor Dennis Carlone 23:53
Thank you for the presentation. It was quite succinct and covered a lot of areas. As I mentioned, we'll have questions related to the financing a little later. And, and probably after my fellow councillors asked their question, we can talk about the neighborhood and you negotiating on different issues, many of which have appear to be solved and that's good news. Fellow councillors. Does anybody wish to have a question? Please, Councillor McGovern expressed concern that the development will not be a cohesive neighborhood.

Jay Doherty, Chief Executive Officer at Cabot, Cabot and Forbes, stated that they want to embrace the totality of what feels like a neighborhood. They intend to have small convenience stores where people can get goods.

Councillor Zondervan expressed concerns about the massive parking garage and the lack of a firm commitment on the bridge. He was also concerned by a potential increase in traffic.

Mr. Doherty explained that the petitioner has been working with the MBTA for almost 18 months. With regard to the garage he stated that this project would have the lowest parking ratios to date. Mr. Doherty stated that he could not represent that this is a good location for a grocer. The petitioner is prepared to devote some areas or an area to some form of community space.

Councillor Zondervan stated that the petition does not address the City’s climate or infrastructure goals.

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler wanted more amenities like a grocery store and wanted to see housing instead of a 700-space parking garage.

In response to a question from Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mr. Doherty stated that the petitioner is open to providing the pedestrian connection. They have talked about it with the neighborhood several times and that has not emerged as a matter of consensus amongst the Highland neighbors.

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler stated that he would like to see a pedestrian connection so as not to increase traffic.

Councillor Nolan stated that this area needs more neighborhood amenities than what is described in the petition. She encouraged the City to think comprehensively about the future of this area.

Councillor Carlone opened the floor to City staff.

Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development, stated that the City Manager received a call from the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority expressing support for the project. She stated that the petition brings additional financial resources to the table for the creation of a pedestrian bridge.

Jeff Roberts, Director of Zoning Development, explained that there are certain types of zoning relief that are available, but only by special permit from the Planning Board, and only within the context of a development plan. The Planning Board's review would be contingent on three major criteria, that the proposal is in conformance with the Alewife District Plan, the Board would have to find that the proposal conforms to the City's flood and heat resilience standards, and that the development proposal would result in the completion of the bicycle pedestrian bridge, at a minimum for bicycles and pedestrians connecting the triangle district to the quadrangle district. The staff would prefer the developer to build the bridge rather than make a financial contribution to its construction. The Planning Board did not support the idea of allowing the density bonus in exchange for a financial contribution. He stated that the zoning petition does a good job adhering to the objectives of the Alewife plan.

In response to question from Councillor Carlone, Ms. Farooq explained that the staff believed that a vehicular bridge would be problematic because drivers could essentially try to use that connection to circumvent the rotary, which would create further log jams within the district.

Councillor Carlone encouraged the City and the petitioner to figure out a way to allow a mass transit shuttle to operate on the bridge.

Melissa Peters, Director of Community Planning, stated that generally the zoning petition does a good job of meeting the main objectives of the Alewife plan, particularly around the land use scheme, and the desire to retain existing businesses. The staff recommended eliminating minimum parking ratios and establishing low maximum parking ratios, along with the need for new infrastructure like the bridge.

In response to a statement from Vice Mayor Mallon, Mr. Doherty stated that a commitment letter could be delivered to the Council shortly.

In response to a question from Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler about the minimum housing units required under zoning, Mr. Roberts stated that there is no minimum number, it would depend on where and how the district is developed.

Mr. Doherty stated that the petitioner would be prepared to put not less than 490 residential units in the commitment letter.

Councillor Zondervan reiterated that the Council has no assurance that any of the developer’s promises will be kept.

In response to Councillor Nolan question about flood water, Owen O’Riordan, Commissioner of Public Works, stated that the Department of Public Works works with developers to meet the requirements of major storm events and anticipated climate change effects.

Karl F. Seidman, the City’s Financial Consultant, provided a report about the project which is attached to these minutes.

In response, Mr. Doherty stated 50% of the Quadrangle project is residential. And we will put that in the commitment letter. The out of pocket cost excluding land to construct the shell of that 50,000 square feet of light industrial is about $490 per square foot. The existing zoning allows for the construction of a bridge. The petitioner is qualifying additional language for purposes of financing.

In response to a question from Councillor Zondervan, Mr. Seidman, did not include certain ground floor rents in the analysis, because the exceptions would not increase the property value. Mr. Seidman further explained that could not make an apples to apples comparison as to the increase in value and the developer’s profit because he did not have a commitment letter.

Councillor Nolan stated that the number seemed high to build a bridge. She cited a number of communities that built bridges for less money.

Councillor Carlone moved to extend the meeting to 8:15pm.
Yea: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey, Carlone
Nay: Zondervan
Absent: Simmons, Siddiqui

Mr. Roberts added that the report compares the financial benefit of the proposed zoning to the current zoning.

Councillor Carlone opened the floor to public comment.

John Chun, 48 Loomis Street, spoke against the increase in height and density in the zoning petition. He stated that the bridge will benefit the developer’s tenants, not the neighborhood.

Ann Stewart, 31 Wheeler Street, expressed concern that the bridge is not guaranteed and that the project will bring additional traffic to the area. She suggested that the two biggest developers in this area contribute equally to build a commuter rail stop.

Danica Mari, 23 Normandy Avenue, encouraged the City to think comprehensively about planning in this area.

Susan Agger, Loomis Street, implored the City to create a physical urban design plan for the Alewife Quadrangle.

Mynor Perez, 1137 Massachusetts Avenue, asked the committee to vote in favor of moving forward. He stated that the City can stop the development if the petitioner does not meet their commitments.

Ann Tennis, 71 Griswold Street, urged the City to approve the Envision report and asked the Council not to approve any zoning petitions until the report has been implemented.

Donald Sheehan, 256 Freeport Street, spoke in support of the project. He stated that constructing these buildings will create union jobs.

James Fleming, 256 Freeport Street, spoke in support of the project.

Mike Doucette, 195 Old Colony Avenue, spoke in support of the project.

Christopher Correia, 425 Massachusetts Avenue, spoke in support of the zoning for this project. He stated that this will be a union-built project.

Jonathan Haggerty, represent Central Rock Gym, spoke in support of the project.

Jonathan Agger, 1 Loomis Street, stated that this single bridge provides benefit almost exclusively to the development tenants and does little to enhance the City's objectives. Three bridges would be optimal.

Mike Nakagawa, 51 Madison Avenue, stated that the City should stop accepting of zoning by developers until it approved the Envision zoning. The city needs a real comprehensive plan.

Rick Keogh, 12 Lindor Road, spoke in support of the project.

Yen Ting stated that this project will have a detrimental impact on the neighborhood. The large building will block sunlight and hurt rental values.

Doug Brown, 35 Standish Street, questioned the estimated cost to build the bridge, stating that it was too high. He encouraged the City to take a comprehensive look at the zoning in this area.

Councillor Carlone moved to closed public comment.
Yea: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey, Zondervan, Carlone
Absent: Simmons, Siddiqui

In response to a question from Councillor McGovern, City Solicitor Nancy Glowa advised that that the letter of commitment be incorporated into and become part of the zoning ordinance, if adopted.

Vice Mayor Mallon stated that she was uncomfortable moving the petition forward at this time.

Councillor Carlone moved to extend the meeting to 8:45pm.
Yea: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Simmons, Toomey, Zondervan, Carlone
Absent: Siddiqui

In response to a question from Councillor Carlone, Robert Reardon, a consultant to the City, stated that some of the issues that were discussed could be resolved in a commitment letter of the Council.

Councillor Zondervan agreed with the Vice Mayor that the petition was not ready for the full City Council.

In response to a statement from Councillor Zondervan, Mr. Seidman stated that the increase in value is not compared to a specific set of commitments, so it is not possible to draw conclusions about profits or losses for the developer.

Mr. Doherty stated that this is the petitioner's third filing for this project. If this does not pass, they will have to move forward under current zoning.

Councillor Simmons supported moving the petition to the full City Council, hoping that they will receive the commitment letter soon.

Councillor McGovern stated that he had concerns about the project but supported moving it forward knowing that it could still be denied if these issues are not resolved.

Mr. Doherty stated that the petitioner will have a commitment letter to the City in a few days.

Councillor Nolan expressed concern about the number of unresolved issues related to the petition.

Councillor Carlone moved to extend the meeting to 9:01pm.
Yea: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Simmons, Toomey, Zondervan, Carlone
Absent: Siddiqui

Councillor Toomey expressed concern about the petition but was in favor of moving it to the Council so that the petition would not expire.

After discussion between Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern and Ms. Farooq, the co-chairs agreed to hold another meeting on Feb 16th.

Councillor McGovern moved to adjourn at 9:01pm.
Yea: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey, Zondervan, Carlone
Nay: Simmons
Absent: Siddiqui

1. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Arvind Srinivasan regarding zoning language relative to the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest overlay.

2. A communication was received from Louis DePasquale, City Manager, transmitting a Financial Assessment of a Zoning Petition to Modify the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay District (AOD-1).

3. A communication was received from Daniel Messplay, Senior Zoning + Development Manager, transmitting two presentations for the Ordinance Committee meeting on Feb 10, 2021.

4. A communication was received from JACOB VANCE, Senior Development Manager at Cabot, Cabot & Forbes, transmitting a presentation for the Ordinance Committee meeting on Feb 10, 2021.

Committee Report #3
The Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing to continue discussion on the Alewife zoning petition.
Date: Tues, Feb 16, 2021, 1:00pm, Sullivan Chamber

Present: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey, Zondervan

Councillor McGovern called the meeting to order and opened the floor to the petitioner.

Jay Doherty, Chief Executive Officer at Cabot, Cabot and Forbes, gave an overview of the commitment letter. The commitment letter provides for 490 residential units as Envision recommends, it will also follow the City's guidelines on an affordable unit inclusion, unit mix and family size units as well as support by outdoor flame we play areas. The petitioner will fund the cost of design and construction of the bridge. The petitioner will adopt the parking requirements of Envision.

Councillor McGovern opened the floor to public comment.

John Chun, 48 Loomis Street, spoke against the increase in height in the zoning petition.

Ann Tennis, 71 Griswold Street, expressed concern about the rush to approve the petition. She was concerned did not have sufficient time to review the commitment letter. She encouraged the committee to let the petition expire.

Susan Agger, Loomis Street, stated that the petition, if adopted, will substantially impact the neighborhood. She was concerned the development will impact Blair Pond.

Mike Nakagawa, 51 Madison Avenue, North Cambridge, encouraged the committee to follow the Envision plan. He expressed concern about how this project will add to congestion in that area.

Yen Ting, 27 Normandy Terrace, spoke against the petition because the language in the commitment letter was too vague.

Jonathan Agger, 1 Loomis Street, urged the committee to reject the petition. He expressed concern about the proposed height.

Heather Hoffman, 213 Hurley Street, spoke against the petition. She stated that the petitioner has not followed through with its commitments in other projects.

Lee Farris, 269 Norfolk Street, asked the committee to let the petition expire. She stated that this area needs comprehensive zoning.

Kathy Watkins, 90 Fawcett Street, spoke against the petition. She expressed concerns about the character of the petitioner.

Suzanne Blier, 5 Fuller Place, encouraged the City to create a comprehensive zoning plan for this area.

Councillor McGovern moved to close public comment.
Yea: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey, Zondervan

Councillor McGovern opened the floor to the petitioner.

Mr. Doherty explained that the petitioner is proposing is to build a bridge that is compatible with pedestrians, bicyclists, low speed electric vehicles and other forms of mobility.

Miguel Rosales, principal at Rosales Partners, explained how the bridge would be designed and built. He provided a power point presentation which is attached to these minutes.

Councillor McGovern opened the floor to City staff.

Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development, stated that staff would like guidance from the Council about the types of amendments they would staff to draft relative to the petition.

Councillor McGovern opened the floor to the Council.

Councillor Zondervan stated that the petition is not ready. He stated that there were too many outstanding issues for the committee to resolve.

In response to questions from Councillor Zondervan and Councillor McGovern about the petitioner’s commitment to the bridge, Mr. Doherty stated that the petitioner estimates the cost of the bridge to be somewhere around $10 million. The commitment letter is meant to be specific and binding. He stated that there are three contingencies relative to the bridge, an easement from the City, Conservation Commission approval, and approval from the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. He stated that they will place $9 million in escrow to fund the bridge.

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler encouraged the City to proactively engage in a planning process for this area rather than to have the process be developer driven.

In response to a question from Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Ms. Farooq explained that the zoning change would affect other property owners in the area. However, the increase in density is connected to the construction of the bridge so those owners would not get that benefit.

Jeffrey Roberts, Director of Zoning and Development, explained how the zoning language about increased density only applies to property that is used to accommodate the bridge.

In response to a question from Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler about the financial analysis, Ms. Farooq stated that based on the commitment letter the consultant will draft a new analysis.

In response to a question from Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler about parking, Mr. Doherty stated that the petitioner will reduce the size of the central garage by about 200 spaces from 700 to around 500 spaces.

In response to a question from Councillor Nolan about creating transit connections in this area, Ms. Farooq explained analysis that about the cost of connection a bridge to a rail station in this area is approximately $25 million. She stated that the width of the bridge to accommodate different modes of travel will increase the cost.

Susanne Rasmussen, Director of Environmental and Transportation Planning, added that in 2015 the City conducted a feasibility study to find an optimal location for a bridge crossing that would allow for bike and pedestrian traffic.

She stated that the City reviewed that design with MassDOT and the MBTA and they were very supportive of the possibility of the interconnection.

She stated that the bridge proposed by the petitioner is designed to accommodate a very light, multi passenger electric vehicle traffic, if it is not wide enough for that to occur frequently. She stated that this is an excellent location for a bike and pedestrian facility.

Kathy Watkins, Assistant Commissioner of Engineering, she stated that the bridge studied by the City is much longer than the bridge proposed by the petition. She stated that not capping the funding $9 million adds real value to the proposal.

Mr. Doherty referenced a letter of support for the project by the Scott Bosworth, Undersecretary and Chief Strategy Officer at Massachusetts Department of Transportation. He explained how the proposed bridge mirrors many aspects of a bridge studied by the City.

Councillor McGovern moved to suspend the rules to extend the meeting to 4:00pm.
Yea: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey, Zondervan

In response to question from Councillor Nolan about sustainability, Ms. Farooq stated the sustainability will really depend on the ultimately design which is discussed later in the process.

Vice Mayor Mallon expressed concerns about how quickly the process is moving and she did not believe that the petition was ready.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Mallon about how property owners get additional density, Mr. Roberts, explained that the staff raised concerns about having the FAR bonus attached to providing funds for the bridge.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Mallon, Ms. Farooq suggested that the Council amend the petition to delete the clause allowing for an FAR increase based on a contribution to fund for the bridge.

In response to questions from Vice Mayor Mallon, City Solicitor Glowa state that generally speaking, adding things to the petition is not permissible.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Mallon, Ms. Farooq stated that timing for the construction of the bridge would be better dealt with in the letter of commitment.

Mr. Roberts explained that the zoning is not a development plan. A development plan usually lays out when certain things will happen. He agreed that timing is better left to the commitment letter.

Vice Mayor Mallon stated that she is uncomfortable moving this petition forward.

Councillor McGovern read a series of questions that he received from Councillor Simmons.

In response to the questions from Councillor Simmons, Mr. Doherty explained that the commitment letter would create a framework that would necessarily be reflected in any special permit granted by the Planning Board.

Solicitor Glowa recommended that the Council when it adopts a zoning amendment that has a letter of commitment submitted associated with it, that the letter of commitment be incorporated into and made part of the zoning ordinance, which makes it as enforceable as the zoning ordinance. She stated that issued related to the timing of the bridge construction can be included in the commitment letter.

Councillor Toomey stated that there are too many unanswered questions for him to support this petition.

In response to a question from Councillor Carlone, Mr. Roberts confirmed that this petition does not alter underlying FAR, allowed by special permit, the petition would allow a 0.25 bonus in exchange for the accommodation of the bridge.

In response to a question from Councillor Carlone about increasing the percentage of housing, Ms. Farooq stated that the staff have conducted studies of the appropriate percentage of minimum housing for different areas of the city. Those studies have not been translated into a zoning proposal at this time.

Mayor Siddiqui expressed concerns that some questions may not be answered before the petition expires. Mr. Doherty stated that this petition is a deliberate effort to encourage and support and implement the public infrastructure that has been called for in the many plans. He explained that the petitioner would not submit another petition if this one fails.

Councillor McGovern moved to suspend the rules to extend the meeting to 4:10pm.
Yea: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey
Nay: Zondervan

Councillor Carlone moved to forward the petition to the full City Council with no recommendation.
Yea: Carlone, Simmons, Toomey, Siddiqui, McGovern
Nay: Mallon, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan

Councillor Toomey moved to adjourn.
Yea: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey, Zondervan

Documents

2. A Zoning Petition has been received from Arvind Srinivasan regarding zoning language relative to the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest overlay.
RESULT: REFERRED to the full City Council with no recommendation.
YEAS: Carlone, McGovern, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toomey
NAYS: Mallon, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan

3. A communication was received from Jacob Vance, regarding Quad NW AOD1 Commitment Letter.

4. A communication was received from Councillor Simmons, transmitting questions for the Ordinance Committee meeting on Feb 16, 2021.

5. A communication was received from Jacob Vance, regarding MassDOT Alewife Bridge Zoning Support Letter.

6. Sundry communications from the public for the Ordinance Committee meeting on Feb 16, 2021.

7. A communication was received from Jacob Vance, Senior Development Manager at Cabot, Cabot & Forbes transmitting a presentation for the Ordinance Committee meeting on Feb 16, 2021.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
16-101. Report on the potential of building below market rental housing on City-owned parking lots along Bishop Allen Drive. On a communication from Councillor McGovern requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons (O-4) from 12/12/2016

18-38. Report on inventory of all City-owned vacant buildings and lots and the City's plans for them, if any.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui (O-2) from 3/26/2018

18-60. Report on a small business parking pilot that would allow temporary on-street employee parking during typical daytime operating hours.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 5/14/2018

18-73. Report on establishing and implementing a dynamic new initiative that will seek to place Port residents (ages 18 and over) on paths to jobs with family-sustaining wages.
Councillor Simmons (O-6) from 6/25/2018

18-119. Report on evaluating the existing capacity of fire stations in the Kendall Square area and whether a new fire station is needed, and if so, determining the feasibility of locating a plot of land for this use.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 11/5/2018

19-3. Report on establishing a Central Square Improvement Fund and allocate no less than 25% of funds generated to the arts.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-6) from 1/7/2019

19-49. Report on recommending restrictions on signage specific to retail establishments that sell e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-15) from 4/8/2019

19-58. Report on working with the Recycling Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to draft an ordinance banning single-use plastic items in Cambridge.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O-6) from 5/13/2019

19-62. Report on drafting a formal Anti-bias /Cultural Competency Strategic Plan for eventual adoption and implementation.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 5/20/2019

19-66. Report on whether it is possible to reduce or eliminate Building Permit Fees for 100% affordable housing development projects, through an exemption or other means and investigate what types of real estate tax abatements are possible for 100% affordable housing moving forward.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern (O-3) from 6/3/2019

19-100. Report on the feasibility of implementing an additional regulatory requirement for listing a registration/license number for Short-Term Rentals.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (O-19) from 7/30/2019

19-130. Report on requesting to allocate more funds in the FY21 budget for the small business improvement grants and to confer with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office on whether other cities in Massachusetts have been facing similar issues with ADA compliance and what can be done to protect the small businesses.
Councillor Toomey (O-14) from 10/7/2019

19-145. Report on reviewing all the City’s policies and procedures related to the procurement, installation and disposal of artificial turf.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan (O-7) from 10/21/2019

19-146. Report on reviewing the existing internal mechanisms for City staffers in all departments to report grievances, to determine if this system is functioning as it should or whether changes should be considered.
Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 10/28/2019

19-147. Report on installing hearing loop technology inside the Sullivan Chamber as part of the upcoming renovations to City Hall, and in other critical City meeting venues wherever possible and other accessibility improvements.
Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 10/28/2019

20-6. Report on the acquisition and implementation of interpretation services for City Council meetings and other public City meetings.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern (O-8) from 1/27/2020

20-23. Report on implementing Simple Recycling' s curbside textile recycling program and report back to the Council on this matter in a timely manner.
Councillor Toomey (O-1) from 5/11/2020

20-27. Report on the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with Civil Service, and the process by which Cambridge could exit Civil Service.
Councillor Nolan (O-5) from 6/22/2020

20-30. Report on establishing a plan designed to provide a thorough, system-wide review of the entire municipal government to identify and remove any vestiges of systemic racism and/or racial bias in any and all City departments, to establish clear, transparent metrics that will help further this critical endeavor.
Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey (O-3) from 6/29/2020

20-31. Report on determining how to best protect and preserve our commercial spaces that support our small business operators and maintain continuity in our commercial districts.
Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-5) from 6/29/2020

20-36. Report on generating a report detailing the Sole Assessment Process, the Civil Service HRD process, the reason for choosing the Sole Assessment Process over the Civil Service HRD process, and the projected costs associated with both processes.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-5) from 7/27/2020

20-37. Report on considering formally renaming the Central Square Library in honor of Maria Baldwin and Rep. John Lewis, with the building being known as “The Maria Baldwin and Rep. John Lewis Library and Center for African American/Black History and Culture” going forward, or to otherwise find another suitable location for this dedication.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-6) from 7/27/2020

20-48. Report on the feasibility of creating an antibody testing program.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern (O-3) from 9/21/2020

20-53. Report on how Cambridge might participate in PACE Massachusetts pursuant to the PACE Act including exploring all options for incentivizing participation.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-2) from 10/19/2020

20-58. Report on creating a comprehensive digital, postal, and traditional media outreach campaign educating residents on the Cambridge eviction moratorium, tenants’ rights, and resources available to at-risk tenants.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui (O-3) from 11/2/2020

20-59. Report on the feasibility of posting all applications for building permits online as soon as available.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern (O-6) from 11/2/2020

20-60. Report on analyzing eviction data from 2018 through 2021 and come back with a plan on how to use this data to inform our next action steps.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-8) from 11/2/2020

20-61. Report on an update on City-Owned Vacant Properties Inventory.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 11/16/2020

20-65. Report on exploring the feasibility of hiring a consultant to perform an Equity Audit on the Cambridge Arts Council.
(O-1) from 11/23/2020

20-66. Report on establishing a Black and Brown-Owned Business Taskforce, to be focused upon strengthening the City’s outreach efforts, information-sharing, assistance mechanisms, and overall relationship with local Black and Brown-owned businesses, and to establish a rolling set of recommendations designed to ensure the City spares no effort in assisting these businesses.
(O-3) from 11/23/2020

20-70. Report on implementing comprehensive contact tracing in Cambridge including the ability to conduct backwards contact tracing facilitated with technology such as the use of QR codes.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-5) from 11/30/2020

20-71. Report on the feasibility of launching mobile COVID-19 testing vans in December.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-6) from 11/30/2020

20-69. Report on formulating an RFP for a public arts project that will acknowledge the unfinished work of the 19th Amendment, the importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and how the two pieces of legislation ultimately complemented one another in helping to shape a more perfect union.
Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan (Calendar Item #2) from 11/30/2020

20-72. Report on the condition of 105 Windsor Street and cost estimates of any repairs needed and provide recommendations on how to develop any other underused properties based on an inclusive public process centered in the Port neighborhood.
Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 12/14/2020

20-73. 20-73 Report on establishing a waiver for low-income individuals utilizing the Covid19 vaccine if the vaccine would otherwise cost money to access.
Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 12/21/2020

21-1. 21-1 Report on what efforts are being made to ensure that only those vaccines with the highest effectiveness will be utilized throughout the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon (Calendar Item #1) from 1/4/2021

21-2. 21-2 Report on providing a report on the possible implementation of a sheltered market program.
Vice Mayor Mallon (O-5) from 1/4/2021

21-3. Report on parameters on eligible expenses from free cash.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 1/11/2021

21-4. Report on conducting a spending disparity study on City purchasing with businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, disabled persons, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other historically disadvantaged groups.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Nolan (O-1) from 2/3/2021

21-5. Report on working with the local affordable housing organizations to develop a vaccination plan to reach out to the City’s senior population, as well as to the City’s minority communities and other underrepresented communities, that will establish a framework for the orderly onsite vaccination of these groups.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-2) from 2/3/2021

21-6. Report on obtaining written documentation from the Cambridge Housing Authority, Homeowners Rehab, Inc., Just a Start, and the Community Development Department updating the City Council on the locations, unit sizes, number of units, overall costs, populations served, and expected dates of completion for each of the projects they reported on during the Housing Committee hearing held on Jan 12, 2021.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan (O-3) from 2/3/2021

21-7. Report on coordinating with the Public Health Department and the Inspectional Services Department to establish random check-ins and assessments of public and private affordable housing sites currently undergoing renovations to ensure proper compliance with Covid-19 safety protocols.
Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 2/3/2021

21-8. Report on removing hostile architecture whenever public spaces are designed or redesigned and to create design guidelines that ensure our public spaces are truly welcoming to the entire community and determine how existing bench fixtures can be addressed to support all residents who use them.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui (Calendar Item #3) from 2/8/2021

21-9. Report on providing an overview of various programs and services that are designed to assist the City’s chronically unhoused population and those in danger of becoming unhoused, along with the metrics by which the City determines the effectiveness of these programs.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 2/22/2021

21-10. Report on whether or not the City can require written notice be sent to all abutters, both property owners as well as tenants, regarding the scheduling of a hearing regarding the extension of a building permit request to the Planning Board.
(O-5) from 2/22/2021