Possible Topics:Cambridge InsideOut - April 20, 2021
Possible Topics:
1) Cambridge Curbside Composting Resumes Monday, May 17
2) Digital Equity Study released
4) Municipal election on the horizon
2021 Cambridge Candidate Pages (preliminary)
5) Make-Believe School Superintendent Search
6) Cambridge Schools - Inside or Out
7) April 12 City Council meeting
City Council micromanagement
Making Remote Participation Permanent and Easier - theater vs. reality
City Council Order calling for its own budget for outside legal counsel
Green Roofs? - Mandates vs. Incentives?
8) April 5 City Council meeting
Housing Choice and Zoning Thresholds
Boards and Commissions
9) Civic Opportunities - Central Square Advisory Committee
10) The never-ending debate on density
11) City Manager process gets underway
Will this also be an inside game with a make-believe process?
12) Pros and Cons of the Plan E Charter
13) Civic Calendar
Apr 20, 2021 – The City of Cambridge today released Digital Equity in Cambridge: Data and Strategic Recommendations, the final report for the city’s comprehensive digital equity study. The report provides a complete and clear understanding of the problems and gaps preventing Cambridge residents from making the most effective and meaningful use of broadband (high speed internet access) in the city. Additionally, the report suggests a range of solutions for the city to pursue to address the findings that emerged around broadband access, affordability, digital skills, and device ownership.
Cambridge partnered with CTC Technology (CTC) to conduct the study. CTC is a nationally recognized firm that offers independent strategic, technical, and financial guidance primarily to public sector and nonprofit entities. The report will serve as the foundation for the city’s future digital equity and broadband initiatives. CTC has helped develop digital equity strategies for other cities including Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle, Washington.
“We are creating a comprehensive approach to ensure digital equity and 21st century broadband access in our city,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. "The Digital Equity in Cambridge report will inform our strategy to ensure affordable broadband access, digital skills, and device ownership for all residents.”
The Digital Equity in Cambridge report surfaces and explores key findings based on the robust data collected, including:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the critical role that internet access, device ownership, and digital skills play in successful online learning, job searching, remote work, and telemedicine,” said City of Cambridge Director of Communications Lee Gianetti. “This new report provides the city with a framework for expanding existing programs, creating new initiatives, and learning from digital equity efforts in other cities.”
The study provides a range of recommended strategies the city can deploy to address the digital equity challenges within Cambridge, including:
“In the 21st century, digital equity spans nearly every dimension of life, from education and work, to social engagement and civic participation,” said Cambridge Chief Information Officer Patrick McCormick. “Like other inequities, the pandemic exacerbated how anyone lacking online tools and connectivity became disadvantaged in their daily lives. Fortunately, the pandemic also created richer data and tangible use cases to spark conversations and inform analysis. The Digital Equity Study provides clear and compelling insights and recommendations to build a more equitable and inclusive digital future for Cambridge residents and businesses.”
In response to some early study findings and challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Cambridge has already taken specific actions to:
This study, prepared throughout late 2019 and 2020, did not presuppose what the problems were or what the solutions should be. It thoroughly explored access, affordability, digital skills, and device ownership. The study methodology included the following activities:
Creating a digital equity and inclusion coalition to help guide and support implementation of study recommendations will be one of the early action items. While the Digital Equity in Cambridge study lays out strategies to address digital equity challenges within Cambridge, implementation will require engagement from a variety of internal and external stakeholders and the establishment of an implementation timeline. Detailed planning and implementation plans will be managed by staff from the Information Technology Department and the City Manager’s Office.
Download a copy of the report, Digital Equity in Cambridge: Data and Strategic Recommendations. Print copies are available upon request. Please call the Cambridge City Manager’s Office at 617-349-4300 to schedule a pick-up.
Apr 20, 2021 – The City of Cambridge announces that the residential curbside composting program will resume on Monday, May 17, 2021.
Curbside compost is available to all residential buildings with city trash collection. Composting reduces trash going to landfills and converts food scraps into clean energy. Separating food waste from trash bins and placing it in curbside compost carts also helps manage rodents in the community because the locking green compost carts make it more difficult for rodents to access food.
The City provides curbside carts and indoor kitchen bins for composting. Residents who were previously composting are encouraged to continue doing so, and those who have never composted are encouraged to start. To learn how easy it is to get started, and to request free supplies, visit www.CambridgeMA.Gov/Compost.
“The curbside compost program is a key part of our waste reduction efforts,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “More than 30% of household trash is food waste; separating food waste from the trash helps fight climate change and manage increasing waste disposal costs.”
Citywide compost collection was suspended in March 2020 to comply with social distancing protocols which also required the Department of Public Works (DPW) to reduce the number of staff in trucks, further limiting capacity for curbside collection. Throughout the program’s suspension, however, the city’s compost drop-off sites continued to operate and diverted 500,000 pounds of food waste from landfills. Since citywide curbside compost collection began in 2018, Cambridge residents have helped the city divert more than 3,600 tons of food waste.
“Although we had to suspend separate compost collection, we want to thank residents for utilizing the city’s drop-off compost sites,” said Public Works Commissioner Owen O’Riordan. “We are excited to get back on track to reducing our trash and impact on climate change by resuming separate compost collection services on May 17.”
Residents can pick up a free roll of compost bags on the following dates, between 10am-4pm at:
Compost bags may be purchased at these Cambridge stores or online. To learn more about where your food waste goes after it’s collected, click here.
6002 tested positive - This is an increase of 13 testing positive from the previous day and 4292 over 160 days.
121 confirmed deaths (76 in long-term care facilities, 45 in general community)
Click on graph above for latest Cambridge data.
Apr 20, 2021 Breakdown of Cases (820 known current cases) - a decrease of 128 current cases from the previous day.
There have been 3738 recoveries - an increase of 104 from the previous day.
Though things may be improving thanks to vaccinations, the 7-day averages of new cases are not yet decreasing.
Harvard University COVID-19 data MIT COVID-19 data
Dec 14, 2020, updated Apr 15 – I really hate to get started on this topic so early in the game, but there are already rumors of possible candidates for 2021 and several potential candidates have already filed the paperwork with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) so that they can start raising campaign donations. At least four incumbent city councillors have already sent word to supporters about seeking reelection, but most or all of the incumbents are likely to follow. Here's a brief list:
| Name | Address | Filed w/OCPF | Notes |
| Frantz Pierre | 22 Water Street #808, 02141 | Nov 10, 2020 | not listed as registered voter as of Nov 2020 at given address, case worker at Margaret Fuller House |
| Tonia Hicks | 337 Pearl Street, 02139 | Nov 13, 2020 | campaign Chair lives in Colorado, Treasurer lives in North Carolina |
| Dana Bullister | 155 5th Street #1, 02141 | Nov 23, 2020 | listed as own campaign Chair and Treasurer, was rumored as candidate in 2019 |
| Joe McGuirk | 314 Columbia St. #1, 02141 | Dec 7, 2020 | bartender at Highland Kitchen in Somerville, and the Lexington at Cambridge Crossing |
| Santos Carrasquillo | 188 Harvard St. #3B, 02139 | Jan 11, 2021 | occupation unknown |
| Theodora Skeadas | 988 Memorial Drive #185, 02138 | Feb 19, 2021 | Executive Director of Cambridge Local First; previously filed w/OCPF in Dec 2016 as a candidate but did not pursue at that time |
| Nicola Williams | 8 Brewer St. #5, 02138 | actively fundraising, ran in 2019 | business owner, community activist, organizer of the Cambridge Carribean Carnival, serves on the board of several Cambridge non-profit and neighborhood organizations |
| Paul Toner | 24 Newman St., 02140 | not yet declared, initial campaign deposit 4/18/21 | Senior Director of National Policy, Partnerships and Northeast Region for Teach Plus; former VP and president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (2006-2014), and of the Cambridge Teachers Association (2001-2006); middle school social studies teacher, lawyer, and former teacher union leader. He previously ran for City Council in 2017. |
| Rumored possible City Council candidates - either new or returning | |||
| Patrick Barrett | 41 Pleasant St., 02139 | not declared | prime mover for Central Square BID, author of multiple successful and well-received zoning petitions, owner/builder of new hotel/restaurant in Central Square |
| Jeffery McNary | 116 Norfolk St. #201, 02139 | expressed interest | ran in 2019 w/o accepting donations |
| Sam Gebru | 812 Memorial Dr. #614A, 02139 | recently made $200 candidate loan to acct. | ran in 2017 and has kept campaign account active |
| Incumbents who have declared intention to seek reelection or are actively fundraising (there are certainly others) | |||
| Dennis Carlone | 9 Washington Ave. #6, 02140 | declared | first elected 2013, 4 terms on City Council |
| Marc McGovern | 17 Pleasant St., 02139 | declared | first elected in 2013, 4 terms on City Council |
| Quinton Zondervan | 235 Cardinal Madeiros Ave., 02141 | raising money | first elected in 2017, 2 terms on City Council |
| Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler | 187 Brookline St. #3, 02139 | actively fundraising | first elected in 2019, 1 term on City Council |
| Denise Simmons | 188 Harvard St. #4B, 02139 | actively fundraising | first elected in 2001, 10 terms on City Council |
| New School Committee candidates (presumably all incumbents will be seeking reelection) | |||
| Nancy Alach | 346 Concord Ave., 02138 | filed paperwork with Election Commission | Principal of Early Childhood, Prospect Hill Academy Charter School; former Assistant Principal, Cambridge Friends School |
| Andrew King | 40 Essex St., 02139 | filed paperwork with Election Commission | Board member, Citizens for Public Schools (funded primarily by teacher unions); member of Our Revolution Cambridge’s education committee; doctoral candidate in public policy, UMass Boston |
Please send me any additions, corrections or credible rumors at Robert@rwinters.com.
If you know of any great potential candidates for either Cambridge City Council or School Committee, please encourage them to consider being a candidate in the 2021 municipal election.
2021 Cambridge Candidate Pages (preliminary)
Cambridge City Council Campaign Receipts 2021
Note: The "A Better Cambridge" PAC today (Apr 14) filed its Dissolution Report - apparently in favor of operating all of its political campaign financing via its Independent Expenditure PAC. The significance of this change is that an ordinary political action committee (PAC) is required to file monthly bank reports (twice/month during the active campaign season). An Independent Expenditure PAC has no such reporting requirements, i.e. there is very little transparency.
Mar 25, 2021 – The Ad-Hoc Superintendent Search Subcommittee announced the three finalists for the role of Interim Superintendent of Schools. There was a total of 17 applicants and the Ad-hoc Subcommittee moved to interview 5. On Thurs, Mar 25 they recommended the following three finalists to move forward in the interview process:
As part of the Superintendent Search process, the School Committee will be hosting Candidate Forums on Apr 8, with three separate panels of 1) students 2) family representatives and 3) educational staff who will interview each finalist. These forums will be held from 5:00pm-8:00pm and members of the community will be able to watch in three ways:
5:00pm Virtual Special Meeting of the School Committee (virtual)
There will be a Virtual Special Meeting of the School Committee at 5:00pm on Tues, Apr 27 for the purpose of interviewing finalist candidates for the position of Interim Superintendent of Schools and for the purpose of considering the appointment of the Interim Superintendent of Schools. It is anticipated that this meeting will end by 10:00pm 9:00pm. Votes will be taken and there will be no public comment.
A Peek at the April 12, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting agendaHere are a few things coming up: Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting questions for the COVID-19 Update. The beat goes on. Things will get better but right now the variants are temporarlity making things worse. That said, I have seen good statistical models that suggest that the latest wave may peak by early May and drop substantially as we head into June and July. For the moment, however, we still have to take precautions, get vaccinated, and curb our enthusiasm.
Charter Right #1. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $130,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Electrical Extraordinary Expenditures account which will fund the purchase of a new aerial bucket truck. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR NOLAN IN COUNCIL APR 5, 2021] Regardless of Councillor Nolan's enthusiasm to obliterate fossel fuels, motor vehicle, and anything that might create emissions (like cows?), there is more than a touch of micromanagement when a city councillor second-guesses a vehicle purchase that had already been vetted for its environmental worthiness (it's bio-diesel, but not electric). Resolution #2. That the City Council go on the record in support of this session’s proposed TOPA bills, SD.1672 and HD.2984, and in urging the Cambridge State Legislative Delegation to advance this legislation to swift passage. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone My guess is that this resolution will pass without any substantial questions - and there should be questions raised about these bills. For example, should it be the rule that the "right of first refusal" can be assigned to a third-party entity so that existing tenants are not the ones getting an advantage in possible home-ownership opportunities? As one friend with first-hand knowledge of the Washington, DC law noted: “It is largely a mistake and hasn’t really done much for DC real estate values or tenant protections. The right in DC is transferable which has created a sub-market that has really only harmed small owners who need to sell in a pinch or in estate succession.” My personal take on the proposal is that it is yet another attempt to move residential property from private ownership to “social ownership” with no real intention of empowering existing tenants to own their own housing. If you think this is about the admirable goal of forming tenant-owned coops, think again. Order #1. Policy Order re: Making Remote Participation Permanent. Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan Order #2. Policy Order Re: Making Remote Public Participation Easier. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern I spoke at a Government Operations Committee meeting on this topic last week. While I think it is clearly a good idea to continue to provide an opportunity for people to chime in remotely, this will never be a substitute for in-person participation. Getting 120 seconds to hastily read a statement with no opportunity for any back-and-forth interaction is more political theater than actual democracy. More importantly, remote participation should not just be about public comment. On several occasions in the past I testified at Government Operations Committee meetings that there should be a separate website for every City Council committee that clearly shows what the current activity of the committee is, what actions have been taken or are pending, all supporting documents, and a mechanism for public input with a mechanism for ongoing feedback. I also believe that aides should assigned to committees rather than to individual councillors. Say what you will about remote participation during the pandemic, but the dark side is that much of the City Council business now takes place entirely out of view, and springing late orders at Council meetings or recruiting a parade of Zoom commenters is a poor substitute for deliberative public process. Order #4. That the City and CPD create laminated, information cards detailing how an individual can file complaints and concerns regarding their interactions with CPD. Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon I remember a day when the Cambridge Police Department produced a series of trading cards (same size as baseball cards) for most and possibly all members of the Police Department. They even had a card for City Manager Bob Healy (I have it in my collection). Making informational business cards available may be useful, but I preferred the trading cards. Order #5. That the Chair of Civic Unity schedule a meeting to discuss survey results, progress made to date, and recommendations to diversify City’s Boards and Commissions. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons With all that has gone down over the last year it's worth noting that the last time the City Council's Civic Unity Committee held a meeting was in May 2019 during the previous City Council term. Perhaps we should just trade it in for a Civic Disunity Committee and call it a day. Regarding the boards and commissions, the real difficulty has generally been in getting enough people to apply. Order #6. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to consult with the Water Department and report back to the City Council by the end of the month on plans for monitoring the situation, for early communication on conserving water and for instituting water savings measures, and to inform the Water Board of this request. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan Information is good. I will, however, point out that anyone (including city councillors) can go to the Water Department site to learn most of this information. In particular, there's a Drought Status page. Order #7. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department, the Law Department, and the City Manager’s Housing Liaison to discuss and advise on ways to increase equity in the initial application process for tenants looking to rent in Cambridge that does not violate fair housing laws. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon Some of us don't do credit checks at all, but I certainly wouldn't want to deny a property owner the right or choice to do a credit check of potential tenants. On the other hand, if the sponsors of this Order want to personally contribute to a fund to underwrite any losses due to nonpayment of rent, that would be a very generous thing for them to do. Order #8. That the City Council shall have its own budget for outside legal research to be utilized at the discretion of the Council when designated by a majority of members in pursuance of the Council’s authority to exercise the legislative powers of the City as specified in the City charter. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan If this were to happen there is no doubt whatsoever that we would soon see five councillors hand-picking their own lawyer who would then be pitted against the City Solicitor - a recipe for chaos. Furthermore, the City Council is under no obligation to abide by the legal advice of the City Solicitor - though that would generally be a rather poor choice. Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Feb 4, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the Green Roofs zoning petition. Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee met on Mar 31, 2021 to continue a public hearing on the Green Roofs zoning petition. I expect this will pass to a 2nd Reading and may even be ordained in a few weeks in its amended form. It is worth noting, however, that the Planning Board recommended against adoption and I would hope that all of the Planning Board's concerns are fully addressed before ordaining this. – Robert Winters And don't forget about these: Wed, Apr 1410:00am The City Council's Health and Environment Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing regarding the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) 5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Retail Uses Zoning Recommendations - Refiled (Ordinance #2021-3) and the Home Occupations Zoning Recommendations - Refiled (Ordinance #2021-4). (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) Thurs, Apr 295:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Broad Canal Zoning Petition. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) |
First Look at the April 5, 2021 Cambridge City Council meetingHere you go - picks of the letter: Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting questions for the COVID-19 Update. Manager's Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of Charles J. Marquardt as an Election Commissioner for a four-year term, effective Apr 1, 2021. Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following person as a member of the Community Preservation Act Committee for a term of five years, effective Apr 5, 2021: Owen O'Riordan and Mary Flynn. Manager's Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adopt with comments for further consideration, Article 8.000 Nonconformity Zoning Petition. Unfinished Business #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Zoning Petition which amends Article 8.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MAR 22, 2021; TO BE ADOPTED ON OR AFTER APR 5, 2021] Manager's Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adopt both the Retail Uses Zoning Petition and the Home Occupations Zoning Petition, with comments for further consideration. Order #1. That the Housing Committee be and hereby is requested to schedule a hearing to discuss the Housing Choice Law and its potential implications for housing projects in Cambridge with representatives from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, and community housing organizations. Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui Order #2. That the City Council amend the Article 22 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge entitled “SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT” to insert a new section 22.24.4. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan Committee Report #1. The Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee met on Nov 24, 2020 to discuss Awaiting Report response on Harvard Square street closures. Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, communicating information from the School Committee. Late Order #5. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to ensure that all the information on the City's list of neighborhood organizations be updated, that a specific staffer be tasked with ensuring that the information is updated on an annual basis, and that the City Manager be and is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner. Councillor Simmons And don't forget about these: Wed, Apr 72:00pm The City Council's Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee will meet to discuss the policy order seeking to make remote participation in City Council meetings permanent. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) 5:30pm The City Council's Human Services and Veterans Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss plans for reopening of after school programs and summer camp opportunities through the City of Cambridge. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) Thurs, Apr 85:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2). (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) Wed, Apr 1410:00am The City Council's Health and Environment Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing regarding the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) 5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Retail Uses Zoning Recommendations - Refiled (Ordinance #2021-3) and the Home Occupations Zoning Recommendations - Refiled (Ordinance #2021-4). (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) Thurs, Apr 295:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Broad Canal Zoning Petition. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) |
Feb 16, 2021 (w/Feb 17 addition of S. Normandy Ave.) - Several years ago I was thinking about the past, present, and future of Central Square and decided to simply take a walk through the Square with a camera with as objective an eye as I could manage. The result of that walk was something I called "Completing the Square" - a little math joke tied to the main observation that regardless of any opinions about how tall or dense Central Square may be or should be, there were lots of missing teeth and locations which could be improved by the presence of some new or enhanced buildings. That was before the new Mass & Main complex (now Market Central) was built.
In a similar vein, a couple of days ago I had the notion to do something of a virtual walk (in my head) along some streets with which I am quite familiar just to imagine how they might change under the proposed "Missing Middle Housing" zoning proposal. In my opinion, most of these streets function pretty well as they are and many of them (in particular those now zoned as Res C-1) would be considered pretty dense by any reasonable standard. I downloaded the City's Assessors Database (thank you Open Data Portal!) and painstakingly reassembled all the living area information from the many condominiums in order to recreate the total living area to go with the total land area for each respective lot. (This was like reassembling puzzle pieces in some cases.) I then calculated the FAR (floor-area-ratio) for all lots on 28 representative streets (somewhat alphabetically biased as I went through them).
Prior to calculating some statistics on each of these streets I decided to exclude a few anomalies such as parks (no housing will be going there under any zoning revisions), municipal parking lots, City buildings (like City Hall, the Annex, DPW, etc.) as well as some lots that are in zoning districts unaffected by the proposed "Missing Middle Housing" zoning proposal, e.g. the Central Square BB district.
[You can view the data for each of these streets here.]
The summary sheet is below. Since there are already some nonconforming lots with FAR even greater than what is proposed in the petition, the increases noted below actually understate the increases under full build-out. On the other hand, it's not likely that anything close to full build-out would happen any time soon (if the petition were to prevail), so this should be viewed more as a measure of what could eventually happen as opposed to what will happen in the near future.
Note that even a relatively dense C-1 street like Cherry Street in The Port could see a 66% increase in density. Chalk Street (Res C) could see a 72% increase. Cornelius Way could have a 175% increase (that's 2.75 times the current density). Near me, Antrim Street could go up 47%, Maple Ave. could go up 84%, and Lee Street could go up 50%. In the leafy western "suburbs", a Res B street like Appleton St. could go up 137% (2.37 times the current density) and Lakeview Ave. (a mix of Res A-1 and Res B) would nearly triple in density. In contrast, Berkshire St. in Wellington-Harrington might only rise 2%, so I suppose this is the ideal street by the "Missing Middle" standard.
It's also worth noting that there's really nothing in the petition that would in any way ensure that the chief beneficiaries would be middle class residents. The petition is primarily a vehicle for increasing densities and this could just as easily translate into larger homes for those who can afford them or the freedom to add on significant additions to existing homes. In other words, the "middle" part of the "missing middle" petition is missing.- RW
| Street | zoning on street | total land area |
total living area |
gross FAR |
median FAR |
max FAR |
min FAR |
MM factor |
MM increase |
| Amory St. | C-1 | 166187 | 146798 | 0.88 | 0.89 | 2.25 | 0.00 | 1.40 | 40% |
| Andrew St. | C-1 | 39671 | 36841 | 0.93 | 0.94 | 1.46 | 0.44 | 1.33 | 33% |
| Antrim St. | C-1 | 215140 | 182351 | 0.85 | 0.85 | 1.59 | 0.45 | 1.47 | 47% |
| Appleton St. | B | 362349 | 167623 | 0.46 | 0.53 | 1.11 | 0.00 | 2.37 | 137% |
| Arlington St. | A-2,B,C-2 | 162551 | 82694 | 0.51 | 0.51 | 0.94 | 0.31 | 2.45 | 145% |
| Avon Hill St. | A-2,B | 159726 | 86824 | 0.54 | 0.64 | 1.04 | 0.25 | 1.95 | 95% |
| Bellis Circle | B,C-1A | 134257 | 86705 | 0.65 | 0.69 | 1.24 | 0.36 | 1.80 | 80% |
| Berkeley St. & Pl. | A-2 | 335663 | 147702 | 0.44 | 0.44 | 1.08 | 0.18 | 2.87 | 187% |
| Berkshire St. & Pl. | C-1 | 142900 | 162073 | 1.13 | 1.22 | 2.42 | 0.00 | 1.02 | 2% |
| Bigelow St. | C-1 | 98544 | 99178 | 1.68 | 0.99 | 2.48 | 0.55 | 1.27 | 27% |
| Bristol St. | C-1 | 105743 | 98448 | 0.93 | 0.89 | 2.09 | 0.34 | 1.40 | 40% |
| Brookline St. | B,C,BA-1,C-1,BB,SD9 | 462788 | 420848 | 0.91 | 0.88 | 2.59 | 0.00 | 1.41 | 41% |
| Buena Vista Pk. | C-1 | 58147 | 42787 | 0.74 | 0.75 | 1.05 | 0.46 | 1.67 | 67% |
| Centre St. | C-1 | 112030 | 118881 | 1.06 | 0.86 | 1.81 | 0.58 | 1.46 | 46% |
| Chalk St. | C-1 | 59707 | 40178 | 0.67 | 0.73 | 1.35 | 0.30 | 1.72 | 72% |
| Chatham St. | C-1 | 45415 | 43055 | 0.95 | 0.87 | 1.73 | 0.61 | 1.44 | 44% |
| Cherry St. | C-1 | 140624 | 83033 | 0.59 | 0.75 | 1.26 | 0.00 | 1.66 | 66% |
| Columbia St. | C1,BA,BB-CSQ | 419529 | 435148 | 1.04 | 1.01 | 3.33 | 0.00 | 1.24 | 24% |
| Coolidge Hill Rd. | A-2,A-1 | 155629 | 65633 | 0.42 | 0.55 | 1.85 | 0.00 | 2.26 | 126% |
| Cornelius Way | C-1 | 67640 | 31196 | 0.46 | 0.45 | 0.83 | 0.30 | 2.75 | 175% |
| Dudley St. | B | 162444 | 135259 | 0.83 | 0.83 | 1.48 | 0.24 | 1.51 | 51% |
| Hurley St. | C-1 | 185549 | 196004 | 1.06 | 1.09 | 2.45 | 0.42 | 1.15 | 15% |
| Inman St. | C-1 | 386571 | 347610 | 0.90 | 0.88 | 2.36 | 0.34 | 1.41 | 41% |
| Lakeview Ave. | A-1,B | 717287 | 299854 | 0.42 | 0.42 | 1.07 | 0.15 | 2.99 | 199% |
| Lee St. | C-1 | 184726 | 167663 | 0.91 | 0.83 | 2.17 | 0.48 | 1.50 | 50% |
| Maple Ave. | B,C-1 | 198500 | 132455 | 0.67 | 0.68 | 1.57 | 0.36 | 1.84 | 84% |
| Norfolk St. | C-1,B,BA | 445240 | 445634 | 1.00 | 0.88 | 3.31 | 0.00 | 1.41 | 41% |
| Pleasant St. | C,C-1,BA-3 | 387351 | 425992 | 1.10 | 0.93 | 2.27 | 0.36 | 1.34 | 34% |
| S. Normandy Ave. | B | 69538 | 24909 | 0.36 | 0.38 | 0.51 | 0.19 | 3.26 | 226% |
| all sample streets | 6181446 | 4753376 | 0.77 |
gross FAR = total living area divided by total land area
median FAR = median FAR of all lots on the street
max FAR = largest FAR for all lots on the street
min FAR = smallest FAR for all lots on the street (note that there may be vacant lots with FAR of 0)
MM factor = ratio of proposed "Missing Middle" FAR of 1.25 to current median FAR for street
MM increase = percent increase in FAR from current median FAR under full build-out
Mar 25, 2021 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking one volunteer representative from the Riverside neighborhood and one volunteer representative from the Cambridgeport neighborhood to serve on the Central Square Advisory Committee. The Committee meets approximately monthly or on an as-needed basis.
The Central Square Advisory Committee is appointed by the City Manager to undertake all large project reviews of variances and special permits for activities within the Central Square Overlay District (Article 20.3 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance), and to monitor the progress of the Central Square Non-Zoning Recommendations of the 2013 K2C2 Study.
The purpose of the committee is to establish a formal, ongoing body to review development actions in the Central Square Overlay District and provide a forum within which a wide range of perspectives on development actions can be heard. Further details on the committee’s roles and responsibilities can be found in Article 20.304.01 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.
The City of Cambridge welcomes applicants with a diversity of experiences and perspectives, and values those with a desire to positively shape the future of Central Square.
Applications for this committee can be submitted online at cambridgema.gov/apply. Please include a letter explaining why you are interested and a resume or other description of your relevant experience, background, and unique perspective on Central Square. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, but an appointment must be made due to COVID-19 safety protocols, to pick it up. Please contact the City Manager’s Office at 617-349-4300 during regular business hours to make an appointment if needed. The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, April 23, 2021.
Serving on a board or commission can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to the quality of life of the community in which you live or work.
For more information, contact Drew Kane at dkane@cambridgema.gov or visit the Central Square Advisory Committee webpage.
CIVIC CALENDAR (abridged)
5:30pm Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting (Police Station, First Floor Conference Room, 125 Sixth St.)
5:30pm Cambridge Election Commission meeting (51 Inman Street, Remote Participation via ZOOM)
I. PUBLIC COMMENT II. MINUTES III. REPORTS 1. Executive Director's Report 2. Assistant Director's Report 3. Commissioners' Reports
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IV. ACTION AGENDA Old Business 1. Coordination/Communication with City Council Regarding Proposed Legislative Changes for the 2021 Municipal Election New Business 1. Annual Organization of the Board Members - Nominations and Selection of Officers 2. Reprecincting 3. 2021 Municipal Election - Polling Locations |
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
5:00pm Virtual Special Meeting of the School Committee (virtual)
There will be a Virtual Special Meeting of the School Committee at 5:00pm on Tues, Apr 27 for the purpose of interviewing finalist candidates for the position of Interim Superintendent of Schools and for the purpose of considering the appointment of the Interim Superintendent of Schools. It is anticipated that this meeting will end by 10:00pm.
Votes will be taken and there will be no public comment.
6:00-7:30pm Central Square Advisory Committee meeting (Zoom)
6:00pm School Committee Special Education and Student Supports Sub-Committee Virtual Meeting (webcast)
5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Broad Canal Zoning Petition. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
6:00pm School Committee Virtual Meeting (webcast from Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)
Note: There will be a Hearing on State School Choice at the beginning of this Regular Meeting.
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
9:00am The City Council's Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 budget (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
| Budget Overview Mayor’s Office Executive - Leadership Diversity DGVPI Equity and Inclusion Public Information Office Tourism |
City Council City Clerk Employee Benefits Finance Admin. Budget Personnel Purchasing Auditing |
Assessing Treasury/Revenue Information Technology Law Emergency Communications General Services Public Celebrations Reserve |
Animal Commission Electrical Fire Department Police Department Traffic, Parking & Transportation Inspectional Services License Commission Election Commission |
| Those marked in bold are the ones pulled for discussion. | |||
5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a hearing on the Cannabis Delivery Zoning Amendments and Municipal Code Amendments. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
10:00am The City Council's Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 budget (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
| Cambridge Health Alliance Public Works Water Community Development Historical Commission |
Peace Commission / PRAB Cable TV Debt Service Library Human Services |
Women’s Commission Human Rights Commission Veterans’ Services MWRA Cherry Sheet |
City Overview Section Financial Summaries Section Revenue Section Public Investment Section |
| Those marked in bold are the ones pulled for discussion. | |||
5:30pm Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting (Police Station, First Floor Conference Room, 125 Sixth St.)
6:00pm The City Council's Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 (School Department) budget (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
9:00am The City Council's Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 budget - if needed (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
6:00-7:30pm Central Square Advisory Committee meeting (Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting - possible Budget Adoption (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
