Cambridge City Council meeting -- November 24, 2003 -- AGENDA

RECONSIDERATIONS 
1. Vice Mayor Davis notified the City Clerk of her intention to move reconsideration of the vote taken on November 17, 2003 adopting an application from G Street Associates d/b/a Grafton Street Pub & Grille, One Bow Street (1230 Massachusetts Avenue), Cambridge, transmitting an All Alcoholic and Entertainment License Application for Increase in Hours to 2:00am. (A copy of Addendum D to the Alcoholic Beverages rules and regulations written Policy on Liquor and Entertainment Licenses in Harvard Square, Central Square and Massachusetts Avenue between said squares is attached.)

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA 
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a Low Income Heating Assistance Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development for $840,325 to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages ($145,385) account, Other Ordinary Maintenance ($694,865) account and Travel and Training ($75) account to provide funding to cover the salaries of three full time employees and operating expenses of the program.

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a legal opinion regarding the issuance of marriage certificates to same-sex couples.

ON THE TABLE 
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a Landmark Designation Study Report for Shady Hill Square. 1-11 Shady Hill Square, 36 Holden Street.

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the Landmark Designation Study Report for designating as a protected landmark the Tulip Tree at 1436 and 1446 Cambridge Street.

3. Request the City Manager to direct the Community Development Department to make maximum use of CPA funds to develop affordable housing that is permanently affordable, such as limited equity cooperatives and condos.

4. Requesting the City Manager to appoint someone to speak with Neighbors for a Better Community to explore possible collaboration.

5. Requesting the City Manager to direct the City Solicitor to draft a home rule petition to enable the City Manager to approve curb cuts.

6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Calendar Item No. 1, dated 11/4/02, regarding the implementation of land use and zoning recommendations of the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Study.

7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-102, regarding a report on how the Cambridge Housing Authority's emergency switches in resident units function.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 
8. Petition from Harvard University requesting a sub-surface easement located between 1720 and 1737 Cambridge Street for the purpose of constructing an underground pedestrian and service tunnel beneath Cambridge Street.

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS 
1. An application was received from Mrinalini Jaikumar, requesting a curb cut at the premises numbered 9 Farrar Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical and Public Works. Two neighborhood association letters were sent. Received one neighborhood association response they are neutral on this issue.

2. An application was received from Joseph Chung, requesting a curb cut at the premises numbered 182 Brattle Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical and Public Works. No neighborhood association for that area.

3. An application was received from Judy Davis, requesting a curb cut at the premises numbered 20 Sparks Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical and Public Works. No neighborhood association for that area.

4. An application was received from Mariposa Baker, requesting permission for two tables and six chairs at the premises numbered 424 Massachusetts Avenue.

COMMUNICATIONS 
1. A communication was received from Steven Kaplan, transmitting written protest to the Roback Petition.

2. A communication was received from Rose Kaplan, transmitting written protest to the Roback Petition.

3. A communication was received from Eiko Onagi and Satoru Toga, transmitting written protest to the Roback Petition.

4. A communication was received from Stuart Rothman, transmitting written protest to the Roback Petition.

5. A communication was received from Gregg P. Nolan, Forest City Commercial Group, regarding open space at 23 Sidney Street.

6. A communication was received from MassDevelopment, regarding Lesley University new addresses.

7. A communication was received from Fabian Drixler, regarding a petition for a ban on the use of leaf blowers in Cambridge.

8. A communication was received from Ruth Ryals, regarding increased traffic on Upland Road.

9. A communication was received from Department of Telecommunications and Energy, transmitting a notice of filing and public hearing on December 3, 2003 at 11:00am at the Department's offices, One South Station on a petition of Boston Edison Company d/b/a NStar Electric for approval of asset divestiture.

RESOLUTIONS 
1. Urging Cantabrigians to be aware of December 1, 2003 as World Aids Day and of the events sponsored by Cambridge Cares About Aids: on December 1, 2003, World Aids Day Events, on December 3, a Grand Opening Celebration tour of their new space at 17 Sellers Street, Cambridge, and on December 5, a candle lighting vigil in remembrance of those lost to an overdose.   Councillor Decker, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Simmons

2. Resolution on the death of Mary M. Hogan.   Councillor Galluccio

3. Resolution on the death of Mildred M. Shea.   Councillor Galluccio

4. Resolution on the death of Nora F. Ring.   Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Toomey

5. Congratulating the seven members of the Cambridge Synchro Swim Team: Clarie Costagliola, Brittaney Leigh Courier, Natacha Garbani, Charlotte Pandraud, Carrie Reynolds, Suzanne Robichaud, and Katie VanSickle, on their spectacular season, participating in the 2003 US Age Group Nationals in Gainesville, Florida and wish them all continued aquatic success.   Mayor Sullivan

6. Extend a gracious welcome to the Honorable Wellington Webb, Mayor of the City of Denver, Colorado as he meets with Ambassador Swanee Hunt on Monday, November 24, 2003 and hope his stay in Cambridge is a wonderful experience.   Mayor Sullivan

7. Urging Cantabrigians to be cognizant of the Thirty-Seventh Anniversary of the independence of Barbados and a Barbados Independence Church Service to be held on Sunday, November 30, 2003 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at St. Bartholomew's Church.   Mayor Sullivan

8. Welcome Brother Jimmy's BBQ to Cambridge and hope that this southern hot spot brings added spice to Harvard Square.   Mayor Sullivan

9. Urging Cantabrigians to be cognizant of Sparklefest 2003 which begins with the arrival of Santa Claus on Saturday, December 6, 2003, and which encompasses three weekends of festivities in Harvard Square.   Mayor Sullivan

10. Send get well wishes to Dave P. Driscoll, the head of the Massachusetts Department of Education.   Mayor Sullivan

11. Express appreciation to Beatrice Cyr for her many years of dedicated service to the citizens and to the City of Cambridge and wish her much happiness in her retirement.   Mayor Sullivan

12. Resolution on the death of James D. McLaughlin.   Mayor Sullivan

13. Resolution on the death of Peter T. McLaughlin.   Mayor Sullivan

14. Resolution on the death of Margaret "Red" (Kennedy) Souza.   Councillor Toomey

15. Resolution on the death of Rocco Auciello.   Councillor Toomey

16. Congratulate and applaud Susan Elliott Carroll for her many years of service and dedication to the students of Matignon High School and wish her continued success in the future.   Councillor Galluccio

17. Congratulating Just-A-Start on being awarded a $200,000 grant from the New England Patriots/National Football League/Local Initiatives Support Corporation for renovations to Russell Field.   Councillor Galluccio

18. Resolution on the death of Mary E. (Marzino) Galante.   Councillor Toomey

19. Congratulating Jonathan Kaledin on his appointment as General Counsel for the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and extend best wishes for his service to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.   Vice Mayor Davis

20. Resolution on the death of Evelyn B. Connor.   Councillor Maher, Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Toomey

21. Resolution on the death of Rita M. Struzziery.   Mayor Sullivan

22. Send get well wishes to James Cusack.   Mayor Sullivan

23. Urging Cantabrigians to be cognizant of the Citywide Senior Center Bazaar which will take place on Wednesday, December 3, 2003 from 10am to 2pm at the Senior Center.   Mayor Sullivan

24. Send get well wishes to John Hoffman.   Mayor Sullivan

25. Resolution on the death of Cosmo "Simie" Magliozzi.   Councillor Toomey

26. Congratulating the Cambridge Public Health Department on the success of its Golden Shoes project, for which the City has been selected as a recipient of the Kenneth E. Pickard Municipal Innovation Award.   Mayor Sullivan

27. Extend a very Happy 70th Birthday wish to His Imperial Majesty Akihito, the 125th Emperor of Japan.   Mayor Sullivan

28. Urging Cantabrigians to be cognizant of a benefit concert to help the Jewish community of Cienfuegos, our sister city in Cuba, to be held on Thursday, December 18, 2003, beginning at 7:30pm at the Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center in Boston's South End.   Mayor Sullivan

29. Congratulate the CRLS Football team on a great season.   Councillor Galluccio

30. Congratulate Mary Lisa Bonauto for spearheading the historic ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in favor of gay and lesbian couples marrying.   Councillor Decker

ORDERS 
1. City Council go on record opposing HR 6 – an energy bill containing a provision granting manufacturers of methyl tertiary butyl ether liability protection that, if enacted, would shift the estimated $29 billon cost of clean up and decontamination to local and state government.   Mayor Sullivan

2. Directing the City Clerk to take all necessary steps to remove any impediment to same-sex marriage and to issue marriage licenses to same-sex applicants as soon as legally possible.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Decker and Councillor Reeves

3. Dedicate an appropriate site in the memory of Thomas J. Houllahan.   Mayor Sullivan

4. Congratulate Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders on the historic ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court in favor of gay and lesbian couples and families in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and request the City Manager to report back to the City Council with details on how this ruling will impact the city's ability to once again extend benefits to same-sex partners of city employees and whether the city should immediately commence to extend domestic partner benefits to eligible city employees.   Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Simmons and Councillor Murphy

5. Requesting the City Council to convene a discussion on the Massachusetts Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriages, Goodridge vs. the Department of Public Health.   Councillor Simmons

6. Requesting the City Manager to direct the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department to investigate the loss of small businesses and the loss of businesses owned by people of color, particularly those located in Central Square, with attention to the loss of five more small businesses, including Star Jewelry.   Councillor Simmons

7. Refer the matter of the future of the NSTAR power plant to the Health and Environment Committee for the purpose of conducting a public hearing.   Vice Mayor Davis

8. Requesting the City Manager to provide a brief update to the Health and Environment Committee for the purpose of a hearing relative to the status of a proposed development in Belmont along the Alewife Reservation and matters of water and sewer connectivity and to report back with this update by December 8, 2003.   Vice Mayor Davis

9. Requesting the City Manager to appropriate the necessary funds to purchase and replace the bulletproof vests used by the Cambridge Police Department with the best protective body armor for our officers.   Mayor Sullivan

10. City Council go on record urging the Massachusetts General Court to act as quickly as possible to enact legislation that will provide all of the protections, benefits and obligations of civil marriage to same-sex couples.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Decker and Councillor Reeves

11. City Council go on record urging the MBTA to reconsider its decision to ban amplified music by performers at MBTA stations.   Councillor Murphy

12. Requesting the City Manager to direct the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to look at the public safety issue with regard to the crosswalk adjacent to the Alewife T Station, and refer the issue to the Public Safety Committee for a public hearing before a determination is made on the resolution by the Department of Traffic, Parking and Transportation.   Councillor Maher

13. Requesting the City Manager to confer with the Director of the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department with the view in mind of reconsidering the possibility of establishing a crosswalk across Broadway at the corner of Tremont Street.   Councillor Maher

14. Requesting the City Manager to instruct the appropriate departments to prepare the zoning language that would provide implementation of the tree protection ordinance, and arrange for said zoning language to be prepared for referral to the Ordinance Committee for the legislative term 2004-2005, when appointed, and to the Planning Board so that the municipal code amendment to the tree protection ordinance could be ordained with the zoning amendment.   Vice Mayor Davis

15. City Council go on record urging the MBTA to create and post visually to patrons information relating to MBTA policies that is deemed important.   Vice Mayor Davis

16. City Council go on record thanking Senator Edward Kennedy, Senator John Kerry and Congressman Michael Capuano as they continue to fight against legislation that would negatively impact seniors and coverage they receive from Medicare for prescription drugs.   Mayor Sullivan

COMMITTEE REPORTS 
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chair of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on November 6, 2003 for the purpose of considering a petition filed by John Roback et al. to amend the zoning in an area bounded by the centerlines of Green, Pearl, Franklin and Brookline Streets from the existing Residence C-2A to Residence C-1.

HEARING SCHEDULE 
Mon, Nov 24 
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Dec 2 
10:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss revenue received and development revenue projected for the next several years.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Dec 3 
9:00am   The Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the next steps for the 2004 Democratic National Convention and to hold a recap discussion of the Buy Cambridge Initiative.  (Ackermann Room)

Mon, Dec 8 
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 15 
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 22  
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 5, 2004 
10:00am   INAUGURAL MEETING  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 12, 2004 
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 26, 2004 
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS 
O-1     November 24, 2003 
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record opposing HR 6 – an energy bill containing a provision granting manufacturers of methyl tertiary butyl ether liability protection that, if enacted, would shift the estimated $29 billon cost of clean up and decontamination to local and state government; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Congressman Michael Capuano on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-2     November 24, 2003
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
COUNCILLOR DECKER
COUNCILLOR REEVES
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a decision in Goodridge vs. the Department of Public Health on November 18, 2003 holding that the Massachusetts Constitution prohibits the denial of the protections, benefits and obligations of civil marriage to same sex couples; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is directed to take all necessary steps to remove any impediment to same sex marriage and to issue marriage licenses to same sex applicants as soon as legally possible.

O-3     November 24, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Council dedicate an appropriate site in the memory of Thomas J. Houllahan; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Chief of Staff to the Mayor be directed to confer with the family regarding a suitable dedication ceremony and communicate with the Department of Public Works to arrange for the sign.

O-4     November 24, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record congratulating Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) on the historic ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court in favor of gay and lesbian couples and families in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to GLAD on behalf of the entire City Council; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with details on how this ruling will impact the city’s ability to once again extend benefits to the same-sex partners of city employees and whether the city should immediately commence to extend domestic partner benefits to eligible city employees.

O-5     November 24, 2003
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Council be and hereby is requested to convene a discussion on the Massachusetts Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriages, Goodridge vs. the Department of Public Health.

O-6     November 24, 2003
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department to investigate the loss of small businesses and the loss of businesses owned by people of color, particularly those located in Central Square, with attention to the loss of five more small businesses, including Star Jewelry.

O-7     November 24, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the matter of the future of the NSTAR power plant be referred to the Health and Environment Committee for the purpose of conducting a public hearing.

O-8     November 24, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide an brief update to the Health and Environment Committee—for the purpose of a hearing—relative to the status of a proposed development in Belmont along the Alewife Reservation and matters of water and sewer connectivity; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back with this update by December 8, 2003.

O-9     November 24, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to appropriate the necessary funds to purchase and replace the bulletproof vests used by the Cambridge Police Department with the best protective body armor for our officers.

O-10     November 24, 2003
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
COUNCILLOR DECKER
COUNCILLOR REEVES
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging the Massachusetts General Court to act as quickly as possible to enact legislation that will provide all of the protections, benefits and obligations of civil marriage to same-sex couples; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the Cambridge legislative delegation.

O-11     November 24, 2003
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging the MBTA to reconsider its decision to ban amplified music by performers at MBTA stations; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the MBTA.

O-12     November 24, 2003
COUNCILLOR MAHER
WHEREAS: Members of the public have expressed the desire to provide public input on the issue of the crosswalk adjacent to the Alewife T Station; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to look at the public safety issue with regard to the crosswalk adjacent to the Alewife T Station; and be it further
ORDERED: That the issue be referred to the Public Safety Committee for a public hearing before a determination is made on the resolution by the Department of Traffic, Parking and Transportation.

O-13     November 24, 2003
COUNCILLOR MAHER
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department with the view in mind of reconsidering the possibility of establishing a crosswalk across Broadway at the corner of Tremont Street, in light of the unique need for a mid-block crosswalk at this location near the youth center, park, funeral home and synagogue.

O-14     November 24, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the appropriate departments to prepare the zoning language that would provide implementation of the tree protection ordinance; and be it further
ORDERED: That said zoning language be prepared for referral to the Ordinance Committee for the legislative term 2004-2005, when appointed, and to the Planning Board so that the municipal code amendment to the tree protection ordinance could be ordained with the zoning amendment.

O-15     November 24, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record urging the MBTA to create and post visually to patrons information relating to MBTA policies that is deemed important; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the MBTA.

O-16     November 24, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record thanking Senator Edward Kennedy, Senator John Kerry and Congressman Michael Capuano as they continue to fight against legislation that would negatively impact seniors and coverage they receive from Medicare for prescription drugs; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Senator Edward Kennedy, Senator John Kerry and Congressman Michael Capuano on behalf of the City Council.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Ordinance Committee held a public meeting on November 6, 2003, beginning at four o’clock and fifteen minutes p.m. in the Sullivan Chamber for the purpose of considering a petition filed by John Roback et al. to amend the zoning in an area bounded by the centerlines of Green, Pearl, Franklin and Brookline Streets from the existing Residence C-2A to Residence C-1.

Present at the hearing were Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chair of the committee, Mayor Michael A. Sullivan, Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, and City Clerk D. Margaret Drury. Also present was Lester Barber, Director of Zoning and Land Use for the Community Development Department.

Councillor Murphy convened the hearing and explained the purpose. He invited the petitioners to make a presentation.

John Roback presented the petition. He said that the residents of this neighborhood love their neighborhood. Neighbors began to realize that the existing zoning threatened their diverse and historic neighborhood. This neighborhood really already functions as a C-1 block. The existing character is more C-1.

He introduced Ruth Marshall, 192-194 Franklin Street. She described her family’s four generations of life at 192-194 Franklin Street since her grandparents’ first acquisition. She urged the City Council to preserve this neighborhood for future generations.

Jim Martin, 193 Franklin Street, stated that his mother was born and died there. His grandmother bought the house over ninety years ago for their family of fourteen children. He requested the City Council to preserve this neighborhood as a family neighborhood.

Mr. Roback then discussed the neighborhood characteristics, street by street, beginning on Pearl Street, with its historic row houses. He then moved to Green Street, where the north side is zoned as Business B but has nevertheless retained its residential character. The south side is all low scale housing except for the Man Ray corner. On Franklin Street, the south side is already C-1, the north side is C-2A, but looks like it is C-1. On Brookline Street, the neighbors would like to see middle-income affordable housing that conforms to the C-1 requirements.

Mr. Roback said that another reason to rezone is to protect the residential future. New housing is welcome, especially affordable housing, but it should fit in with the existing neighborhood.

He introduced Peter Valentine, 37 Brookline Street, who read a statement urging the City Council to protect the neighborhood with appropriate housing. (Attachment A). He said that the issue for this neighborhood is not housing but sustaining the balance and unique contribution of the neighborhood.

Mr. Roback concluded by pointing out that the City’s planning guidelines for this area emphasize protection of the residential character and the cultural diversity of Central Square, along with preservation of historically significant buildings. This zoning petition is not about any particular development; it is an attempt to take the longer view.

Councillor Murphy invited questions from the members of the Ordinance Committee.

Vice Mayor Davis noted that the committee has received a description of the zoning prepared by Community Development Department (CDD) for the Planning Board (Attachment B), and asked Mr. Barber to describe the material. Mr. Barber did so. He said that the Franklin Street edge exhibits a typical C-1 character, with higher density on Pearl and Brookline Streets.

Vice Mayor Davis asked Mr. Barber what Franklin Street would look like if it were built out as C-1A. Mr. Barber said that the buildings would have very modest setbacks, taller and containing more units.

Vice Mayor Davis asked how long the area has been zoned C-2A. Mr. Barber said that it became a C-2A district in 1989, at the time the Central Square overlay district was established. Before that time, it was zoned as a business district. Vice Mayor Davis stated that in her opinion, this is a C-1 neighborhood, and the zoning should reflect the C-1 character.

Councillor Reeves asked about the block of Green Street between Pearl and Magazine. He said that he has requested planning information and attention for this block several times and he added that he would like to see the Green Street considered for rezoning as well.

James Rafferty stated that he is an attorney representing the Rothman family, owners of the site of the former Man Ray building. Mr. Rafferty said that the Rothman family is proposing to build a residential project at that site. He noted that zoning must contain sufficient incentives for residential use. His client looks forward to working with this committee for appropriate zoning this area. He noted that the site was last rezoned two years ago. His clients have been working on development, plans and six to eight months ago the development proposal was received by the Central Square Committee. The Rothmans acquired a house on Green Street so the access would be on Green Street, not Franklin Street in response to concerns of the Advisory Committee. Finding the right height and FAR for the zoning is important. This district transitions from for high density housing at Brookline Street and from business use at Green Street.

Jai S. Khalsa distributed a density study (Attachment C). He described the proposed development. He noted that the project received unanimous support from the Central Square Advisory Committee and the Central Square Business Association. The project plans call for forty units, a mixture of studios and one and two-bedroom units.

Peter Bruckner stated that he maintains an office at 40 Pearl Street, a block formed in 1874-75, with lots of 1500-1700 square feet and FAR of about two. It is significantly different from C-1. The boundary lines of the proposed zone should be taken back about 75 feet from Pearl Street, because the density is higher on Pearl Street.

John Hanson, 209 Green Street, spoke in support of downzoning the area to C-1. Residents would object to the placement of the entrance to the project on Green Street just as much as the Franklin Street neighbors would object to a Franklin Street entrance. He stated that the CDD density figures are more accurate.

Samuel Dickerman, 203 Franklin Street, emphasized his love for this neighborhood. He said that the new project plans call for 800 sq. ft. for two-bedroom units, too small for families. He estimates that there are now ninety units on the block.

Vice Mayor Davis made a motion that the proposed amendment be referred to the full City Council without recommendation. The motion passed on a voice vote without objection.

Councillor Murphy thanked all those present for their participation.

Vice Mayor adjourned the meeting was adjourned at five o’clock and twenty-one minutes p.m.

For the Committee,
Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chair