Goblin It Up on Halloween – October 31, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting
If the Traffic Board can come back from the grave, I suppose anything is possible. Here are a few items of interest on this week’s agenda:
On the Table #1. Policy Order Seeking Development Analysis. [Charter Right – McGovern Oct 17, 2022; Tabled Oct 24, 2022]
As I said last week, this Order highlights the need to at least occasionally assess the cumulative effect of multiple City ordinances and policy initiatives. The fact that this was seen as controversial speaks volumes about the lack of vision of some city councillors and the degree to which they are beholden to specific interest groups.
Applications & Petitions #2. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Patrick Barrett et al. North Mass Ave BA-5 Zoning District Petition.
Pulled by Toner; Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0
It’s unfortunate that the designations of the city’s local business mixed-use zoning districts are essentially the same as Covid variants. In any case, Mr. Barrett is back with another zoning petition – a small one in the vicinity of Mass. Ave. and Cedar Street. In addition to other changes, this would establish a max. height of 80 ft. – considerably less than the ? height limit that I hear is soon to be proposed by one of our early alphabetical political interest groups.
Applications & Petitions #3. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Duane Callender, et al. Cambridge Lab Regulation Zoning Amendment.
Pulled by Mallon raising issue and objecting to Zondervan and his Aide (Dan Totten) doing an end run to supercede previous City Council petition and what it means to be collegial; Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0
It is interesting that a similar zoning proposal introduced on Sept 12 by Councillors Zondervan & McGovern (a.k.a. The Odd Couple) that would have banned labs from “fragile districts including Central Square, Harvard Square, and Cambridge Street” was viewed as needing further discussion and refinement and was referred to the Economic Development Committee and Long-Term Planning Committee rather than have the zoning petition clock start ticking by referring it to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board. Councillor Zondervan at that time was not pleased by this and, apparently, this has now resulted in its reintroduction as a citizens petition which necessarily will start the clock. This is somewhat insulting to the majority of councillors who, presumably, wanted to have that further discussion and refinement. That said, this new petition is different in that it at least attempts to distinguish between what the drafters of the petition see as good vs. evil “lab” uses.
Communications #43. A communication was received from Theodora M. Skeadas, regarding from Cambridge Local First supporting the Cambridge Lab Regulation Zoning Amendment.
Pardon my cynicism, but has anyone else noted just how many past and future City Council candidates have used Cambridge Local First as a stepping-stone toward their candidacy?
Resolution #5. Congratulations to Chief Ranger Jean Rogers on her retirement from the Cambridge Water Department. Councillor Toner
I have known Ranger Jean since she first came to work as the Fresh Pond Ranger. Happy retirement, Jean.
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor and CDD to review the proposed language for Ordinance #2022-18 [Incentive Zoning], as amended in Committee and report their findings back to the City Council. Councillor Zondervan
Pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0
Committee Reports #3. Ordinance Committee – Oct 26, 2022 1:00pm. [text of report] The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on a Zoning Petition to amend Section 11.202(d) of Article 11.000, entitled SPECIAL REGULATIONS, of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge, by substitution.
These concern the proposed amended language for Incentive Zoning (Linkage) that would shorten the timeline for the next nexus study.
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Police Commissioner to convene a meeting with the LBJ tenant community to address their concerns about undesirable and threatening behavior in and near the LBJ Apartment building.
Order Adopted 9-0
Needless to say, the proliferation of this behavior is a BIG problem throughout the greater Central Square area. I’m sure the City’s new Community Safety Department will take care of everything. By the way, has anyone else noted that Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui’s questionable choice as Chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee, has held only one meeting of that committee (May 18), and the topic of that meeting was “to discuss the City’s implementation of the 988 program with City staff and other subject matter experts.” As Leslie Neilson once said, “Nothing to see here.”
Order #3. That the City Manager direct the City Solicitor to research these questions [whether or not a person can be legally required to state their name, and address for the record when they are speaking at a City Council or Committee meeting; and whether or not we should be requiring that an individual provide their name, address, and phone number, to register for public comment] and to report back to the Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee at their next meeting. Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0
In my opinion, the only persons who should not be required to give their name and address during public comment or when making comments on social media or any website are people enrolled in the federal witness protection program.
Order #6. That the Mayor schedule a Roundtable meeting on Municipal Broadband. Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0 as Amended
I’d love to see what the latest cost estimates are for this.
Committee Reports #1. Transportation & Public Utilities Committee – Oct 11, 2022, 1:00pm. [text of report] The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee conducted a public meeting to discuss station expansion, rebalancing, and e-bike implementation with the BlueBikes system.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
My only request is that they repair the station across the street from my house. The sound of cyclists unsuccessfully slamming bikes into those unwelcoming slots all day and night is disturbing the peace.
Committee Reports #2. Ordinance Committee – Oct 19, 2022 4:00pm. [text of report] The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a Public Hearing on the proposed Green Jobs Ordinance (Ordinance #2022-6).
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Jobs are good – green ones too. Mine is currently more crimson than green. – Robert Winters