Possible Topics:Cambridge InsideOut - Oct 2, 2018
Possible Topics:
1) Baseball Post-Season
2) The stirring controversy over the proposed "Affordable" Housing Overlay
3) Oct 1, 2018 City Council meeting and Tax Hearing
4) CAOS, Bow Tie Ride, Mass&Main rising, Central Square Murals are happening
5) Sept 24, 2018 City Council meeting
7) News, Upcoming Events, etc.
Civic Opportunities
Proposed Church Street development (Gerald Chan)
Sept 29 - An interesting discussion is starting to develop on neighborhood listservs and on Facebook regarding a proposed "100% Affordable Housing Overlay". Here are a few thoughts (by me) from a couple of Facebook discussions on the issue. Pardon what may seem at times like "one hand clapping", but I selected only my comments out of the conversation(s).
If this proposal succeeds to game the system to deliver parcels to specific subsidized housing developers, the next step will be for city councillors to significantly increase the amount of taxpayer dollars available to develop those properties. And if you question any aspect of this, get ready to be maligned. If zoning limitations on height or density mean anything at all, they should be uniformly applied to ALL and not rigged to favor certain developers.
I think there's a lot of political pressure going on behind the scenes here in addition to the public meetings. The misinformation and misrepresentation being spread around is astonishing. I bought my multi-family house on a busy street with neighboring buildings almost within arms reach and no driveway not because I wanted those things but because I could not afford to do otherwise. If I had the resources to buy a house on a quiet street with a driveway and maybe even a garage I would have done that. The people who bought houses in lower density parts of the city and on quiet streets did so because that's what they wanted and they paid accordingly. That was not the manifestation of evil thoughts. It was simply a choice. Our current City Council apparently leans toward disrespecting the choices of its own residents. They have always had the capacity to create more subsidized housing by raising taxes and answering to the voters at the next election. I do believe they should be considering some density increases in most zones and allowing multi-family buildings in all zones in order to increase housing capacity, but it appears that more attention is being paid to social engineering than to the provision of housing.
You may not believe this but I have often been accused of being conflict-averse. It's actually kind of true. I generally choose to walk away from a fight. It takes a lot to get me going, and what it usually takes is a boatload of mendacity.
One of my greatest objections to the "Our Revolution" crowd that has inserted itself into Cambridge political discourse is the underlying agenda that property ownership is inherently evil and that it should be constrained whenever and wherever possible. We saw this with the "tenants right of first refusal" effort earlier this year which fortunately did not succeed. The political playbook is apparently to draw attention to those property owners and developers who behave badly and then apply the broad brush of condemnation to all property owners. This is why I steadfastly refuse to support any candidate who is associated with the "Our Revolution" cult. By the way, I have provided affordable housing to my tenants for 33 years without any prompting from government or activists. I am not alone.
I have to agree regarding the hypocrisy. I still often find myself "at the table" even when others object to my viewpoint. Indeed, I'm the only person on the Envision Cambridge Advisory Committee or the Envision Cambridge Housing Working Group who has never missed a meeting. Normally I would be very hesitant about speaking out while still serving on either body, but apparently other members feel no such constraint and I am very concerned about how things are being misrepresented. I'm also starting to get a bit concerned that these advisory committees may not be seriously heard, especially when viewpoints expressed do not align with City staff.
If CDD said they think this will produce NO subsidized housing (I prefer that term to "affordable") I'm inclined to believe they were being disingenuous in order to sell the proposal by minimizing objections. It should be OBVIOUS that they believe it will deliver at least some subsidized housing or they would not be forwarding the proposal.
As I stated, my expectation is that some subsidized housing may be produced. My chief objection is that one property owner will still have strict zoning restrictions while a neighboring property will be allowed up to four times the density if the owner/developer builds subsidized housing. I have provided affordable housing for 33 years and I cannot add an additional square foot to my property, yet those rules would be obliterated for a "non-profit" developer who may well charge "affordable" rents that are greater than mine.
I completely agree. I have never liked the fact that Cambridge has often "processed things to death", but the current trend is worse. The new Machiavellian norm is to ram something through and deal with the fallout later or not at all or, more likely, create a series of sham public meetings after all decisions have been made where only the color of the brick may be debated.
Let me add that I really hope this doesn't turn into a "green vs. affordable" false dichotomy. The real issue here is whether changes in City zoning policies should run roughshod over current regulations. Some changes are in order - as long as the zoning principles are applied uniformly. Enhancing and protecting tree canopy is a separate issue that deserves its own debate.
The next time I hear a City official say "no decisions have been made" when you know damn well that they have I may actually scream.
One consideration that does deserve attention is the fact that there are many properties now that are nonconforming because zoning limits were reduced long after these buildings were built. There is something to be said for having zoning regulations at least somewhat match the current built environment rather than be set artificially low. This shouldn't be a blank check. Some locations have buildings way above the surrounding neighborhood and I would never suggest that limits should be based on those exceptions. If so, East Cambridge would be nothing but Sullivan Courthouse buildings.
One fundamental problem here is that City staff and elected officials like to refer to "affordable housing" being a high priority for residents in order to justify any given policy. It's certainly true that people want housing to be affordable in the sense that a typical person or family can find a place to buy or rent within their budget, but this is not the same as advocating for a dramatic increase in subsidized housing (of which Cambridge already has a significant amount when you add up all the Housing Authority properties, Inclusionary housing units, etc.). Indeed, I think an argument can be made that the singular focus on subsidized housing may be contributing to the non-affordability of housing generally. The best affordable housing program ever conceived was the proliferation of multi-family housing, and that involved no government subsidy at all.
- Robert Winters
A Taxing Situation - October 1, 2018 City Council Meeting Preview
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the votes necessary to seek approval from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue of the tax rate for FY2019. For the most part, the tax levy (and hence the tax rate) was determined several months ago when the City Council voted to approve the FY2019 Budget. Some things have changed since then, but the final steps in the process consist of a series of votes on allocations from available funds to reduce the tax rate, tax classification (primarily residential vs. commercial, subject to limitations under state law), approval of the residential exemption, and several available exemptions and deferrals permitted under state law. Once the votes are taken the Department of Revenue formally sets the tax rates. The Manager's recommendations are as follows: 1. That the City Council vote to authorize the use of $9,000,000 in Free Cash to reduce the FY19 tax rate. 2. That the City Council vote to authorize $2,000,000 in overlay surplus/reserves to be used for reducing the FY19 tax rate. 3. That the City Council vote to authorize $3,500,000 from the City Debt Stabilization Fund to be used as a revenue source to the General Fund Budget, which was included in the FY19 Adopted Budget. 4. That the City Council appropriate $3,500,000 from Free Cash to the City Debt Stabilization Fund. 5. That the City Council classify property within the City of Cambridge into the five classes allowed for the purpose of allocating the property tax. It is further recommended that the City Council adopt a minimum residential factor of 57.5386%. 6. That the City Council approve the residential exemption factor of 30% for owner occupied homes, which should result in a residential tax rate of $5.94 and commercial tax rate of $13.71 (per $1000 of taxable value after exemptions) upon final approval by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. 7. That the City Council vote to double the normal value of the statutory exemptions. 8. That the City Council vote to increase the FY18 exemption allowed under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17D from $314 to $322. 9. That the City Council vote to increase the FY18 asset limits allowed under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 17E from $62,205 to $63,760. 10. That the City Council vote to increase the FY18 income and assets limits for elderly persons (age 65 or older). Income limits of $25,721 to $26,364 for those who are single and $38,582 to $39,547 9 for those who are married, asset limits of $51,439 to $52,725 for those who are single and $70,730 to $72,498 for those who are married, as allowed under MGL, Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41D. 11. That the City Council vote the income limit for deferral of real estate taxes by elderly persons (at least 65 years old) as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue for the purposes of MGL, Chapter 62, Section 6, subsection (k), for a single person who is not head of household ($57,000) and for a married couple ($86,000), as allowed under MGL Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41A. The reduction of the interest rate to 4% for deferred taxes, which was approved by the City Council previously, will continue. Order #3. That the Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee schedule a hearing on the proposed “Cambridge Publicly Financed Municipal Election Program” and the “Cambridge Municipal People’s Pledge Program” as soon as possible and report back to the City Council with a plan for implementation no later than the City Council meeting scheduled for Nov 19, 2018. Councillor Toomey I seriously wish these proposals and various alternatives proposed by others would just go away. It is becoming increasingly clear that such things as a positive social media presence, a good email list, and boatloads of personal contact are far more important than money in a local election campaign. So, could we stop chasing this wild goose?
If you feel that screeching panic stops are a wise choice for traffic calming, then this is your design. I will humbly suggest that simpler solutions would be preferable. On the other hand, we could try some other optical illusions like holographic tigers or various apparitions from Ghostbusters. Order #7. That the Envision Cambridge draft recommendations should be reviewed by the entire City Council in respective committees. Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Siddiqui My presumption has always been that this laundry list of recommendations would be farmed out to the various City Council committees for further review prior to any consideration of zoning changes in the Ordinance Committee or other actions. I also think it would be a good idea to have the full final Envision Cambridge report in hand before delving too deeply into any of these ideas. Looking at them in isolation is not recommended. Committee Report #1. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Vice Mayor Jan Devereux, Chair of the Transportation & Public Utilities Committee, for a public hearing held on Sept 12, 2018 to discuss the guiding policy and safety priorities for regulating and permitting shared electric scooters to operate in Cambridge. Maybe the public will gleefully accept these devices, but what is currently available is simply not safe to use under all conditions by any reasonable standard. The relatively small wheels alone virtually guarantee a tumble when encountering even a small imperfection in the road. On a related matter I found it interesting that the response by Ant Bike to statements from CDD that they were not permitted in Cambridge led them to place two of them in the park next to the City Hall Annex where CDD is located. (I moved them outside to the sidewalk.) On the same day that the City of Lynn announced that they were not allowed, seven of them appeared along one stretch of Main Street in Kendall Square (with five of them lying on their side restricting pedestrian movement). What they see as "economic disruption" is hard to distinguish from "obnoxiously aggressive". Committee Report #2. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Vice Mayor Jan Devereux, Chair of the Transportation & Public Utilities Committee, for a public hearing held on Sept 20, 2018 to discuss reducing the speed limit to 20 MPH on residential streets citywide and the creation of 20 MPH safety zones on certain other streets. My primary comment at this hearing was that there were some city councillors who would gladly reduce the speed limit to 0 MPH if this was permissible under state law. The simple fact is that almost all drivers operate their vehicles safely under the current 25 MPH limit. The problem is the scofflaws for whom the legal limit will be ignored no matter where you set it. Consistent enforcement is what's important, though there are some streets and specific locations where a 20 MPH limit is advisable. I also think the City should seriously consider the use of a "shared street" model with an even lower speed limit in some heavily pedestrian areas. This would have been my choice for Brattle Street where the City installed those counterintuitive segregated bike lanes. A much better solution would be to make that entire stretch of Brattle Street a two-way low-speed shared street for all. - Robert Winters |
Escape from Lynn
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The Changing Face of Central Square
Charter Right Do-Over - Agenda items from the Sept 24, 2018 Cambridge City Council meeting
Manager's Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-30 regarding a report on the possibility of Cambridge joining the national suit against opioid manufacturers and distributors. Normally I don't care for lawsuits like this, but in this case I'll make an exception. These are the worst kinds of dope dealers. Better yet, we don't have to pay for the litigation unless the City prevails and is awarded damages. Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department to establish a Senior Living Overlay District at the current site of Sancta Maria Nursing Facility to encourage and incentivize redevelopment specifically for continuum of care services. [Order #1 of Sept 17, 2018] I think we're starting to get a bit too prescriptive with Cambridge zoning, especially with the introduction of "overlay districts" for every imaginable use. Many of us would like to see opportunities for senior living or a place where artists can flourish. We would also like places to buy affordable groceries. Is the creation of an overlay district to dictate one use while preventing other potential good uses the right way to go? It's one thing to classify land use as residential, commercial, industrial, etc., but how far down should this categorization go? Charter Right #5. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate City departments and relevant housing partners to aggressively attempt to obtain, or help others obtain, the Sancta Maria property for purposes of affordable housing. [Order #3 of Sept 17, 2018] Whatever happened to the idea of a relocated Public Works Yard? I'm not necessarily recommending this, but putting DPW on Concord Ave. and building mixed-income housing on the current DPW site isn't a crazy idea. Both of these Orders now appear to be moot thanks to this news flash: Charter Right #7. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the tax status, zoning history, and sale of The Constellation Center's Parcel C in Kendall Square. [Order #7 of Sept 17, 2018] Anyone who has followed this knew this Order would eventually come. That will be an interesting and likely fruitless journey down the road of Retroactive Zoning & Tax Classification. Looking forward would make a lot more sense, but I'm sure I'll find the history interesting. Charter Right #12. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Economic Development Division to regularly update the vacant property database as well as review the strategies presented in the Storefront Vacancies Best Practices Report and report back on the feasibility of implementing these recommendations. [Order #12 of Sept 17, 2018] I testified recently at a follow-up meeting of this committee about the potential unintended consequences of encouraging "pop up" businesses to occupy vacant spaces at (presumably) much lower rents than nearby businesses. I can easily see a seasonable "pop up" store showing up and stealing all the holiday business away from an existing business. The temporary filling of a vacant store could then lead to another vacancy. Charter Right #14. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Dennis J. Carlone and Councillor Craig A. Kelley, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a public hearing held on July 23, 2018 to discuss a proposed amendment to the Municipal Code in Chapter 10.17 entitled “Vehicle Trip Reduction Ordinance” in section 10.17.070 entitled “Fees for Residential Parking Stickers.” [Committee Report #6 of Sept 17, 2018] I attended this meeting. My impression is that we have several elected officials who have never seen a fee increase or a tax increase that they didn't embrace and celebrate. The simplest way to understand fees is to make clear the distinction with taxes. A fee pays for a service, and the money raised has to support that service. It's not just another revenue source like a tax that can be used for whatever pet project a councillor wants to support. Personally, I find the notion of renewing a parking sticker every year a bit ridiculous. We accept it only because we're familiar with the routine (and the long lines for some). A much better system would be to pay a one-time fee for a sticker that's good for as long as you own the vehicle and still live in Cambridge. It would be easy to encode the sticker for easy verification against City databases. The only people waiting on lines would then be for new residents or new vehicles. Committee Report #1. A communication was received from Paula M. Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councilor E. Denise Simmons, Chair and Councilor Sumbul Siddiqui of the Housing Committee for a public hearing held on June 12, 2018 to discuss the housing ombudsman position, receive a detailed update regarding the timeline and plan for the affordable housing overlay district, an update on the inclusionary housing report, and the map of all affordable housing in the city. I get the sense that not many Cambridge residents know what exactly is being proposed in the current plan for a citywide "affordable housing overlay district". I'll provide a few more details shortly, but the basic idea is that your city councillors want to give builders of subsidized housing the right to to build up to four times the density as any other property owner with some setback requirements waived and little or no public process permitted. - RW |
Envision Cambridge Updates - Sept 12 Advisory Committee & Sept 13 Housing Working Group Presentation100% Affordable Housing Overlay Proposal (Sept 13, 2018)
Super-Inclusionary Housing Proposal (Sept 13, 2018)
Environment Performance Incentive Proposal (Sept 13, 2018)
Combined Super-Inclusionary & Environmental Performance Scenarios (Sept 13, 2018)
Early voting will begin on October 22nd and continue through November 2nd for the State Election to be held on Tuesday, November 6th. In 2016, Massachusetts voters were given the opportunity to vote prior to Election Day through early voting. Previously the only way a registered voter could vote prior to Election Day was through absentee voting. Although absentee voting is still available for registered voters who qualify, only those who will be absent from their city or town on Election Day or have a disability that prevents them from going to the polls, or have a religious belief preventing the same, are legally allowed to vote by absentee ballot.
Unlike absentee voting, early voting is for every registered voter. Registered voters do not need an excuse or reason to vote early. Regardless of whether a voter wants to take advantage of early voting, vote absentee or vote on Election Day, the first step is making sure you are registered. To check to see if you are registered to vote, and to find information on how to register to vote, you may visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website: www.sec.state.ma.us/ele. If you need to register to vote, you may do it online by visiting: www.RegisterToVoteMA.com. All you need is a license or an I.D. issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to apply online. To be eligible to vote in the November 6th State Election, you must register to vote or make any necessary changes to your voter registration by the deadline of Wednesday, October 17th at 8pm.
Early voting can be done in person or by mail. In the City of Cambridge, early voting can be done in person at any of the five (5) designated early voting sites during the scheduled dates and times. Please note, however, once a voter has cast an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls on Election Day.
To request a ballot by mail, simply fill out an application or send us a written request with your name, Cambridge address, address where you want the ballot sent and your signature and mail it to the Election Commission, 51 Inman Street, Cambridge, MA 02139. You can download an application at www.CambridgeMA.gov/EarlyVoting.
We encourage all our citizens to exercise their right and take advantage of the opportunity to vote at one of the sites during the scheduled dates and times. For public convenience, the City of Cambridge will also offer weekday evening hours and weekend hours on Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 9am to 5pm.
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE
LOCATION |
DATE & TIME |
City of Cambridge Election Commission Office |
Mon, October 22, 8:30am to 8:00pm Mon, October 29, 8:30am to 8:00pm |
Police Department, Community Room |
Mon, October 22, 12:00pm to 8:00pm Mon, October 29, 12:00pm to 8:00pm |
Cambridge Water Department |
Mon, October 22, 12:00pm to 8:00pm Mon, October 29, 12:00pm to 8:00pm |
Main Library |
Mon, October 22, 12:00pm to 8:00pm Mon, October 29, 12:00pm to 8:00pm |
O’Neill Library |
Mon, October 22, 12:00pm to 8:00pm Mon, October 29, 12:00pm to 8:00pm |
Join the Cambridge Bicycle Committee for the most stylish bike ride in Cambridge! On this leisurely two-hour ride, we'll trace the bow-tie shaped boundaries of the city and celebrate cycling in Cambridge!
We will assemble at and depart from the Cambridge Public Library Main Branch. Midway through the ride, there will be a brief break at Danehy Park. As in other years, the ride will be supported by the Cambridge Police Department and there will be rolling street closures. We ask that riders be able to maintain a moderate pace to stick with the group.
The ride will end back at the Cambridge Public Library with a light snacks and a raffle. Thank you to our sponsor OoOtie for bringing the fashionable fun!
The ride will be postponed in the case of heavy rain. Announcements regarding rain will be sent to this email list and posted on www.cambridgebikes.org. There is no registration or charge for the tour -- just show up and enjoy!
Bow ties encouraged, but not required.
Sept 19, 2018 – The City of Cambridge is seeking volunteers to serve on a new Working Group to help guide the River Street Infrastructure and Streetscape Design Project. The group will advise City Manager Louis A. DePasquale and his staff on key issues related to the planning and design for this important project, which has three main components:
The working group will consist of 12-15 members who will meet monthly for a period of 9-12 months, starting late fall 2018. The group will include residents, business, and institutional representatives and subject matter experts and who will work with city staff and a consultant to develop design principles and alternative design options. The process will culminate in a final design for River Street and Carl Barron Plaza, which will proceed into construction.
Individuals with interest in the River Street corridor, Central Square/Carl Barron Plaza, experience or expertise in relevant topics — transportation, accessibility, urban design and placemaking, landscape architecture, green infrastructure — and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse viewpoints to craft consensus solutions are encouraged to apply. Meetings of the Working Group will be open to the public.
For additional questions about the new Working Group, contact Jerry Friedman, Supervising Engineer, Department of Public Works at 617-349-9720 or jfriedman@cambridgema.gov.
Individuals interested in being considered should apply by using the city’s online application system at www.cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, October 12, 2018.
Sept 18, 2018 – Cambridge City Manager Louis DePasquale is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (CIRC). The Commission consists of 11 volunteer members, who are appointed by the City Manager, following an application and interview process. The term of the appointment is three years. Commissioners are expected to be knowledgeable about immigrant rights and citizenship and must be residents of Cambridge. It is desirable for this Commission to be fully representative of the diverse Cambridge community.
Cambridge welcomes immigrants and wants to encourage their success and access to opportunity and advancement in this country. It will be a goal of this Commission to get the message of welcome out, through collaboration with organizations that already provide services and outreach to our immigrant community. The Commission will act as a centralizing organization in Cambridge, to address immigrant rights and citizenship issues through providing information, referral, guidance, coordination and technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to support immigrant rights and citizenship.
Commissioners are expected to work with other members of the Commission and staff to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship Ordinance (CMC Chapter 2.123).
Individuals interested in being considered should apply by using the city’s online application system at www.cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is not yet determined.
In its ongoing efforts to identify ways to better serve the community, the City of Cambridge is currently conducting its biennial Resident Opinion Survey. The survey, which has been conducted since 2000, serves as an important evaluation tool that enables residents to rate city services and offer input on what the City of Cambridge does well and where it can make improvements.
The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Don’t miss this opportunity to let us know how you feel!
Take the 2018 Online City of Cambridge Public Opinion Survey.
Opinion Dynamics Corporation (ODC), a national public opinion polling firm with its own state-of-the-art telephone calling facility, will be coordinating the Resident Opinion Survey. ODC will be randomly calling 400 Cambridge households (a sub-set of which will be cell-phone only households) on behalf of the city to complete the survey. Every household will have an equal chance of being called.
A hard copy of the Resident Opinion Survey can be completed September 17 - October 1, 2018 during business hours at the following locations:
For additional information, please contact Lee Gianetti at 617-349-3317 or by email lgianetti@cambridgema.gov.
CIVIC CALENDAR
Mon, Oct 1
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
6:30pm Tax Rate Hearing (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00pm Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Commission (MCNCDC) meeting (2nd Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)
Tues, Oct 2
3:00pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss a petition filed by the City Council to amend Articles 2.000, 4.000, 6.000 and 11.000 of the Zoning Ordinance to establish provisions for Cannabis Uses. This Hearing is to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
6:30pm Planning Board meeting (2nd Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)
General Business
1. Update from the Community Development Department
2. Adoption of Planning Board meeting transcripts
Public Hearings
6:30pm PB# 337 (continued from 6/5/2018) – 178 Elm Street – Special Permit application by Nelson Group, LLC to convert a former club to a multifamily building containing 6 dwelling units pursuant to Section 5.28.2 Conversion of nonresidential to residential use, 6.35.1 Reduction in Required Parking, and 6.108 Bicycle Parking Layout – Reduction in Primary Access Width. (Notice) (Materials)
7:30pm PB# 315 – 145 Broadway, 325 Main Street, 250 Binney Street, and 255 Main Street – Amendment to the Infill Development Concept Plan by Boston Properties Limited Partnership to relocate commercial Gross Floor Area (GFA) of Building B from 250 Binney Street to 325 Main Street; relocate retail GFA from below grade to the ground floor or above grade; reallocate some Infill GFA from 145 Broadway to 325 Main Street; and revise the vehicle parking plan by reducing the construction of new vehicle parking spaces pursuant to Sections 14.32.2.5 and 12.37, Major Amendment to the Infill Development Concept Plan in the Mixed Use Development (MXD) District. (Notice) (Materials)
General Business
3. PB# 315 – 325 Main Street – Design Review
Board of Zoning Appeal Cases
BZA-016995-2018 – 195 Harvard Street – Variance to construct an addition consisting of two dwelling units. Art. 5.000, Sec. 5.31 (Table of Dimensional Requirements), Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.30 (Variance). Special permit to reduce the parking requirements. Art. 6.000, Sec. 6.35.1 (Reduction of Parking), Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.40 (Special Permit). (Materials)
BZA-017003-2018 – 1043-1059 Cambridge Street – Variance to locate the residential portion of its Mixed-Used Development approved by Planning Board (Case No. 336) within the side yard setbacks. Art. 5.000, Sec. 5.31 (Table of Dimensional Requirements), Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.30 (Variance). (Materials)
Wed, Oct 3
3:00pm License Commission Public Hearing (Lombardi Building, 831 Mass. Ave, Basement Conference Room)
4:00pm The City Council's Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing to further discuss a City-based Cannabis Social Equity Program and Policy Order #10 from June 25, 2018. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm Transit Advisory Committee meeting (Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave.)
6:00pm Envision Cambridge - Housing Working Group Meeting (4th Floor Conference Room, 344 Broadway)
6:00pm Cambridge Historical Commission meeting (Citywide Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Ave.)
Tues, Oct 9
1:00pm The City Council's Health and Environmental Committee will conduct a public hearing to receive an update on progress towards the Zero Waste goals and to discuss successes and challenges of the citywide composting and recycling programs to date. (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Oct 10
8:00-9:30am Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting (Sullivan Chamber, City Hall)
5:30-7:30pm Bicycle Committee meeting (4th Floor Conference Room, 344 Broadway)
5:30-7:00pm Commission for Persons with Disabilities meeting (51 Inman St., 2nd Floor Conference Room)
Mon, Oct 15
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00pm Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District Commission Meeting (Lombardi Building, 831 Mass. Ave, Basement Conference Room)
3:00pm The City Council's Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning; Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will meet to discuss CMA 2018 #196 (better known as Order #1 of Feb 5, 2018) and any other matter related to Jerry’s Pond (for example, this July 30, 2018 response from the City Manager). (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Oct 17
5:30pm Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting (Police Station, 125 Sixth St., First Floor Community Room)
[Meeting Agenda and supporting materials]
6:00-7:30pm Central Square Advisory Committee meeting (City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 4th Floor Conference Room)
This meeting will focus on "Placemaking in Central Square" to reintroduce and revisit the City's approaches to public space with the goal of creating a set of values for public spaces in Central Square. The focus of this meeting will be - Public Health.
Thurs, Oct 18
10:00am Pole & Conduit Commission meeting (Lombardi Building, 831 Mass. Ave, Basement Conference Room)
Mon, Oct 22
5:30pm City Council Roundtable/Working Meeting to discuss the Envision process. This Meeting is to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Oct 24
3:00pm License Commission Public Hearing (Lombardi Building, 831 Mass. Ave, Basement Conference Room)
10:00am The City Council's Human Services and Veteran’s Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the Summer food program update. (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00pm LGBTQ+ meeting (Windsor St. Health Center, 119 Windsor St.)
6:00-8:00pm Pedestrian Committee Meeting (4th Floor Conference Room, 344 Broadway)
Mon, Oct 29
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District Commission Meeting (Lombardi Building, 831 Mass. Ave, Basement Conference Room)
The main order of business is the Tax Rate Hearing at 6:30pm that leads to the determination of the residential and commercial tax rates for FY2019.
Order #4
Much of the previous meeting was made subject to the Charter Right by Councillor Toomey, so those items will be back before the City Council this week plus a few more bits and pieces. Here are a few that seem interesting: