Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

January 31, 2022

Shoveling Snow Against The Tide – January 31, 2022 Cambridge City Council Meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Fresh Pond — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 6:42 pm

Shoveling Snow Against The Tide – January 31, 2022 Cambridge City Council Meeting

If you don’t dig what’s going down (or coming down), Zoom in to Monday Night Live. In addition to the meeting agenda, there will plenty of other agendas on display – some hidden, some not. Amid mixed precipitation and metaphors, here are some potentially stormy items:Golf course

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and committees to present a report to the Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebration Committee which includes information on the history, membership data of golf course users, environmental conditions, and a legal analysis of what uses are currently permitted or what would be involved in changing use for other city needs. [Charter Right – Toner, Jan 24, 2022]
Substitute Order Adopted 9-0

The public comment on the proposed “study” of the golf course will likely be just as plentiful this week as it was last week. I’m sure Councillor Zondervan supports this because it’s just one more chapter in his revolution book. Councillor Azeem knows so little about the people of Cambridge that he thinks that desiring “abundant housing” to grow on the golf course will score him big points in his YIMBY circles. Councillor Nolan will be playing both sides of the issue – as usual. As for Councillor Carlone, that’s anyone’s guess. I suppose if your whole goal in life is to be seen as “progressive”, then nothing should ever be left as is. That, in my opinion, is a stupid point of view. There are many great things that are best left alone save for the maintenance.

Substitution for Policy Order submitted by Councillors Toner, McGovern and Simmons as amended
O-3     Jan 24, 2022   Jan 31, 2022   Adopted 9-0
COUNCILLOR TONER
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Golf Course, also known as the Fresh Pond Golf Course, in West Cambridge is the largest open space in Cambridge and has been enjoyed as welcome green space for since 1933; and
WHEREAS: Golf is an important and safe outdoor activity, with many residents participating, and has operated in a manner to ensure the sport is accessible to an increasingly diverse community of residents, including keeping course fees low to ensure affordable to all users, and supporting the CRLS golf team when most urban high schools charge fees or do not have a golf team due to barriers; and
WHEREAS: The golf course is self-sufficient and operates on member fees and receives no additional funding from the city,
WHEREAS: The City seeks to encourage outdoor activity and physical activity among residents,
WHEREAS: Considering these trends, it makes sense review if other outdoor uses could be incorporated into golf operations without interfering with its current and primary purpose as the only low cost municipal golf course in Cambridge; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with all appropriate departments, as well as the Cambridge Water Board and Fresh Pond Advisory Committee, and present a report to the Neighborhood & Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebration Committee, which includes but is not limited to a legal analysts of what uses are currently permitted, information on the history of the golf course, residency and other demographic information about membership data of golf course users, and any environmental constraints; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council request that the Chair of the Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts, and Celebration Committee schedule a public hearing to discuss what other complementary uses, if any, might be made of the space that do not interfere with the regular operations of the golf course, and encourage greater usage by all Cambridge residents; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council by March 30, 2022 to enable a committee hearing this spring.

Note 1: Zondervan stated that he does want to change/limit golf operations.

Note 2: Carlone scolded his colleagues for having scolded the original authors of the policy order.

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-93, regarding proposed amendments to the Municipal Code relative to recent charter changes.
Charter Right – Nolan

The City Solicitor has provided partial language on the matters of City Manager review and how a charter review committee might be formed. There is still no word on how the City Council will go about reviewing board appointments or even which City boards and commission would be subject to Council review. More and more I am coming to the conclusion that city residents may have to soon form their own charter review movement independent of this City Council.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-85, which requesting a report on potential modifications or adjustments to the recent improvements that were made on the segment of Massachusetts Avenue from Dudley Street to Alewife Brook Parkway.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-1, regarding the feasibility of creating a Cycling Safety Ordinance Advisory group.
Placed on File 9-0

The repercussions of The Pledge continue. How many City ordinances are there that come with a pledge that they must never be reviewed or changed? Very progressive. As for the proposed membership of the “Cycling Safety Ordinance Advisory group”, will they be subject to City Council review? More significantly, will this group have any ability to do anything other than to inform the public that little or nothing can or will be done to alter the course of the juggernaut. As the Manager’s communication says, “we educate the community on what elements of the projects are flexible and open to change and which elements are constrained.” Is the only change possible the color of the flexi-posts?

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to not adopt the Cushing, et al., Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation not to adopt the Yamin, et al., Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Dec 8, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the Yard Setback Zoning Petition (Ord # 2021-22). [PDF of Committee Report #1 – unedited software-generated transcript with many errors]

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation not to adopt the Francis Donovan, et al., Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

The bottom line these days is that unless zoning changes are blessed by an elite few, they don’t stand a chance, and it doesn’t really matter if they have merit. Pretty soon it won’t even be possible to serve on the Planning Board unless you have been pre-approved by that same elite.

Order #2. Wage Theft Ordinance.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I still don’t fully understand this proposal, though my suspicion, based on the proposed language, is that it may simply be a way to block the hiring of independent contractors or to ensure that only union members can be hired. The term “wage theft” is very provocative, but perhaps not necessarily accurate.

Order #3. That the City Council and School Committee hold a joint virtual roundtable on Tues, Feb 8, 2022 to discuss priorities for the FY23 Budget.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

I’m a little confused about whether this is meant to have the City Council advise the School Department about their priorities or vice-versa. Their respective budgets have no intersection except perhaps in the shared use of some facilities, e.g. for polling locations or community school programs. – Robert Winters

7. Late Resolution for David Albert.   Councillor Toner
Late Resolution Adopted 8-1 with Councillor Zondervan (unbelievably) voting NO

Res #7     Jan 31, 2022
WHEREAS: Officer David Albert announced his retirement after 33 years of service to the Cambridge Police Department; and
WHEREAS: Officer Albert served as a Patrol Officer for 27 years and ended his last 6 years as a Detective in the Criminal Investigations Department; and
WHEREAS: Officer Albert dedicated his energy and focus to serving the citizens of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Officer Albert grew up in North Cambridge on Magoun Street and comes from a large family dedicated to public service to the City of Cambridge serving as police officers, firefighters and nurses, including his youngest daughter, Delaney Albert who recently joined the force; and
WHEREAS: Officer Albert has earned a long and happy retirement with his wife Kathleen;
RESOLVED: That the City Council and City of Cambridge go on record thanking Officer Albert for his long and honorable service to the City of Cambridge.

November 16, 2021

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 525-526: November 16, 2021

Filed under: 2021 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,campaign finance,Central Square,City Council,elections,planning — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:53 pm

Episode 525 – Cambridge InsideOut: Nov 16, 2021 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Nov 16, 2021 at 6:00pm. Topics: Final Election process; reprecincting; Boncore vacancy; non-implementation of planning efforts in Alewife and Central Square; Alewife and Envision chronology; failure of well-paid councillors to show up for work; deep pockets and the means to achieve good results. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters
[On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 526 – Cambridge InsideOut: Nov 16, 2021 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Nov 16, 2021 at 6:30pm. Topics: Detailed election results and analysis; the dominance of incumbency; political spin in the absence of mandates; importance of establishing a loyal political base vs. “movement” candidates; winners & feeders; slate voting results; Siddiqui’s margin of victory and dissatisfaction with other candidates; the Cincinnati problem; ballot transfers, #2 votes, alternate measures of popularity; School Committee campaign finance. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

October 20, 2021

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 521-522: October 19, 2021

Filed under: 2021 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Central Square — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 8:49 am

Episode 521 – Cambridge InsideOut: Oct 19, 2021 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Oct 19, 2021 at 6:00pm. Topics: Election Countdown; Zoom candidate forums don’t cut it; baseball; Toomey Park & Slide; North Mass. Ave. bike/bus lane controversy; pledging to never listen; coronagendas; Covid update. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters
[On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 522 – Cambridge InsideOut: Oct 19, 2021 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Oct 19, 2021 at 6:30pm. Topics: Carl Barron Plaza – fact vs. fiction; what hostile architecture isn’t; hostile bus shelters and CDD stonewalling; Ballot Questions; Boards & Commissions – definitions, history, ideas, institutional memory; lazy councillors. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

October 18, 2021

Two Week Warning – Curiosities on the October 18, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,Central Square,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:14 pm

Two Week Warning – Curiosities on the October 18, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda

As our elected officials nervously wait out the pre-election purgatory, the meetings go on. Here are the agenda items this week that struck me as interesting or concerning:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Charter Right #1. The Health and Environment Committee met on Apr 14, 2021 to conduct a public hearing regarding the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Zondervan in Council Oct 4, 2021]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

I think a big question on the minds of a lot of people is when some of the mandates will be modified or lifted. Our 7-day average daily COVID-positive test numbers are now consistently down to single digits. When the local history of this pandemic is written, it will show a mix of appropriate and sometimes excessive caution, business innovation driven by survival, and also some politically-driven failures such as last year’s “shared streets” that were neither necessary nor effective. It will also show how some elected officials exploited the obscured nature of Zoom meetings to ram through agendas unrelated to the pandemic.

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $170,975 from Free Cash to the General Fund Elections Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to cover the additional costs associated with recently approved vote by mail-in, and early voting for the municipal election, Nov 2, 2021.
Order Adopted 9-0

Not much to say about this other than the fact that elections aren’t free and that the existence of Mail-In Voting and Early Voting have made the timeliness of getting information to voters somewhat challenging.

Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Michael Jeremy Yamin, regarding Yard Setback Zoning Petition.
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 7-1-1 (Zondervan – NO; Toomey ABSENT)

Applications & Petitions #2. A Zoning Petition has been received from Karen Cushing, regarding Off Street Parking consistent with the base zoning district, in order to minimize the use of on-street parking in the surrounding area.
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 7-1-1 (Zondervan – NO; Toomey ABSENT)

Both of these petitions ask to modify some provisions that were enacted as part of the “Affordable Housing Overlay” (AHO). Specifically, they seek to partially restore some of the diminished setbacks from property lines and to treat AHO projects the same as other properties in terms of parking requirements. It is worth noting that such requirements may soon be lowered or eliminated as part of a separate rezoning process.

Communications #5. A communication was received from Jeanne Oster and Annette Osgood, regarding Save Mass Ave Save Our City Online Petition Paper Petition – 503 signatures.

Communications #6. A communication was received from Yi Sheng Wang, regarding Cycling Safety Ordinance.

Communications #8. A communication was received from Sharon Stichter, regarding Porter square De Facto Simulation of Mass Ave Safety Improvement Project – Dudley St to Alewife Brook Pkwy.

Communications #9. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding De Facto Simulation of Mass Ave Safety Improvement Project – Dudley St to Alewife Brook Pkwy.

Communications #12. A communication was received from Jeanne Oster, regarding to expand the definition of the Mass Ave Four so all streets between Alewife Brook Parkway and Everett St can be looked at together as a cohesive whole.
There will be a follow-up meeting on Thurs, Oct 28, 2021 at 6:00pm.

Suffice to say that some aspects of the North Mass. Ave. plans that are about the be implemented are coming as quite a shock to some residents and area businesses, and there are efforts now underway to find some compromise and alternatives. There are two simultaneous changes about to be implemented – (1) separating bicycle lanes along with significant removal of parking spaces, and (2) dedicating full travel lanes as “Bus Only” lanes. The net effect may be to reduce Mass. Ave. down to a single travel lane in each direction along much of this corridor. Current traffic congestion will likely grow worse, but some see this as a means to an end by driving people out of their cars and onto an inadequate public transportation system. Whether that will actually happen is debatable.

This is yet another example of how City actions hatched in obscurity during Zoom-only pandemic versions of public process have left some people feeling as though they are under the wheels of a juggernaut. Meanwhile, elitist activists write off the concerns of those affected as “fear of change.” In my view, North Mass. Ave. has long been in need of safety improvements, especially for cyclists in close proximity to relatively higher traffic speeds along a major traffic corridor, but this process could be a case study in how not to plan or implement significant changes. Sadly, we’ve been writing a whole book of such case studies.

Communications #10. A communication was received from the community, regarding Carl Barron Plaza reconstruction.
Charter Right – Zondervan

This appears to be an organized effort to label some of the proposed redesign of Carl Barron Plaza in Central Square as “hostile architecture” – which is simply not the case. Included in the communications are some good suggestions for amenities such as a water fountain/filler, level sidewalks, and better means of waste disposal. I have friends who spend a lot of time in this location who are not substance abusers, but this location has over time become a problematic center for alcohol and drug abuse – certainly not the only such location in Central Square, e.g. the inbound #1 bus stop near Pearl Street. By the way, requests to CDD, the Transit Advisory Committee, and the Pedestrian Committee to issue a policy statement regarding priority to actual bus passengers have gone nowhere. Meanwhile bus passengers wait at a distance from the bus stop rather than be harassed at the shelter where most or all of the available seating is not available or is so hostile that passengers prefer to wait up the street at a distance from the bus shelter.

My viewpoint about the design of public places is that you should primarily design not for what you think you’re stuck with but rather for the environment you wish to see – and that includes a better location for public events, public transportation, and the interplay between public spaces and private spaces such as abutting businesses and residences. This is a busy crossroads for bus and train passengers as well as for neighborhood residents visiting Central Square and all that is has to offer. If we create a great space, the users will sort things out.

Order #2. That the City Council go on record prioritizing Cambridge residents for Building Pathways.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

This is a good Order primarily about fostering opportunities for area residents, particularly in underserved communities, to access careers in the construction industry. All too often City initiatives center more on subsidy and public assistance rather than on economic empowerment, and it’s good to occasionally see some emphasis on the latter rather than the former.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship and other relevant City staff to determine the feasibility of creating a uniform process for aiding the resettlement of refugees in Cambridge.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to determine the feasibility of purchasing property from Lesley University to address City goals.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

As the Order states: “Lesley University recently announced a new campus plan that includes the University’s intention to sell its underutilized properties…” Insofar as some of those properties may be useful in advancing some City goals, this is worthy of pursuit. That said, the recent trend of calling on the City to simply buy up properties whenever they are up for sale – or even drafting laws to give advantages to the City purchase of properties – is just as worrisome as universities collecting properties as though Cambridge was a board game from Parker Brothers.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to place a cricket field in one of the Cambridge parks.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Two weeks ago it was pickleball. This week it’s cricket. There are worse things that City Council Orders could be addressing. I can only hope that next week will bring calls for miniature golf. If so, I have some really great ideas on that subject.

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to appoint a task force that will hold regular public meetings to solicit ideas and feedback from residents on the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funds.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

The worst form of City budgeting is one where you dangle $65 million in federal funds like a piñata in front of nine blindfolded city councillors with sticks. That said, perhaps some good suggestions from the public will emerge that aren’t just calls for diversion of funds for pet projects.

Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate City departments to start placing QR codes on signage around construction projects so that interested parties can quickly and easily access information regarding these projects to promote information sharing and transparency.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

As all of my friends know, I don’t own a cell phone and I have no plans to get one. The only QR I know is the QR-factorization I teach in my Linear Algebra courses. A regular sign (with actual words!) would likely do just as well at construction projects.

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate staff of both the City and State to confirm if the Truck Restriction map is up to date, who should be enforcing the ban on Alewife Brook Parkway, and what actions can be taken moving forward.   Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0

Meanwhile, the trucks keep a-storrowin’ with increasing frequency. Apparently Reading and Driving are becoming as difficult for some as Walking and Chewing Gum. Worry not, say the futurists – soon they’ll all be driverless and we can all just blame the programmers.

Order #11. City Council support for the proposed site location for Eversource’s Geothermal Pilot Program project.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #12. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to support the Uplift the Solar Energy Industry in Massachusetts coalition.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

These are both good Orders, but I have no plans to get rid of either my gas stove, my gas-fired boiler, or my gas-fired hot water heater anytime soon. I’m sure that it’s because I fear change – or so the self-declared enlightened ones tell me.

Order #13. That the City Council go on record in reaffirming strong support for H.1426/S.890, the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Toomey – NO)

This ill-begotten proposal was bound to roll around again. Many property owners would love to offer the opportunity to purchase to some of their tenants, but the real intention of this legislation is to transfer privately-owned residential property into the hands of nonprofits and housing authorities working in conjunction with municipalities and using tax revenue to execute the transfer. The title “Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act” is hopelessly dishonest. – Robert Winters

June 14, 2021

Craven Attention – June 14, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 4:53 pm

Craven Attention – June 14, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Here’s my first pass at this week’s effort:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Library Extraordinary Expenditures account to fund a comprehensive Library Building Program Study and Feasibility Study for the Central Square Branch Library.
Order Adopted 9-0

Many of us who spend a lot of time in Central Square and think about Central Square will likely agree that even though the proposed improvements are appreciated there should really be a Grand Vision for the library and the Green Street parking garage in the context of the whole district. For example, unless you believe that all cars and all parking should be abolished (in which case you should really take up farming or ascetic religion), proposals to build on surface parking lots (or continue Starlight Square) might want to consider where those vehicles might park (at least until the Rule of Robots). A couple more parking levels on Green Street might make sense even if only as a place for the robots to live.

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-18, regarding a report on the City’s annual stationery expenditures and percentage spent at local retailers.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to first Progress Report due under the Cycling Safety Ordinance (Chapter 12.22 of the Cambridge Municipal Code), which is required to detail “…progress towards meeting the requirements set forth in Subsections C, D, E, F, G, and H. Such report shall include details on the Separated Bicycle Facilities planned for the coming twelve months.”
Referred to Transportation and Public Utilities Committee 9-0

No comment.

On the Table #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to further proposed amendments to the Tree Protection Ordinance and draft regulations. [TABLED IN COUNCIL MAY 17, 2021] [May 17 memo] [changes] [regulations]
Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 7-0-0-2 (DS,TT – PRESENT)
Note: Special thanks to Councillor Toomey for pointing out the hypocrisy of the City Councillors eagerly wanting to relieve the Cambridge Police of various public safety responsibilities while adding on the responsibility of enforcement of the Tree Protection Ordinance. The ordinance was subsequently amended.

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Apr 28, 2021 to discuss the Tree Protection Ordinance. [proposed amendments to the Tree Protection Ordinance]
Reports Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Ordinance Passed to 2nd Reading 7-0-0-2 (DS,TT – PRESENT)

Committee Report #1B. The Health & Environment Committee met on Oct 13, 2020 to discuss amending the Tree Protection Ordinance based on the findings of the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force.

Committee Report #1C. The Health and Environment Committee met on Nov 10, 2020 to continue discussing amending the Tree Protection Ordinance based on the findings of the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force.

The updated ordinance should be approved this month – probably next week. The final draft regulations are not as onerous for homeowners as they could have been, but the onward march of government control over your property continues.

Blue Heron Bridge

Order #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department, the Assessing Department, the Finance Department, and other relevant City departments to explore the feasibility of purchasing properties for sale in the Alewife area to address City goals.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone
Adopted 8-0-1 as Amended (TT – ABSENT)

Order #2. That the Mayor be and hereby is requested to schedule a Roundtable meeting to discuss how the American Rescue Plan funds may best be utilized in Cambridge.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Adopted 9-0

Order #10. That the Co-Chairs of the Finance Committee schedule a hearing to discuss the $65 million Cambridge is eligible to receive from the American Rescue Plan, and to begin the discussion on how the money can best be spent to advance racial, economic, and environmental justice in our community.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone
Adopted 9-0

Note: “General infrastructure spending is not covered as an eligible use outside of water, sewer, and broadband investments or above the amount allocated under the revenue loss provision.” I really wish we could take some of that money and build a couple of bridges connecting the Alewife Triangle and Quadrangle and maybe build a pedestrian bridge over the Little River connecting to the Science Park area.

Order #4. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Public Health Department, the Inspectional Services Department, the Cambridge Housing Authority, and other relevant City departments to determine if the City has the discretion to waive this rule (state sanitary code re: heating & cooling), and the circumstances in which the City could administer this waiver, and report back to the City Council.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Adopted 9-0

This Order grew out of the recent heat wave and the strange fact/claim that the change from heating to cooling in CHA buildings couldn’t happen until June 15 regardless of conditions. The world might be a better place if we just put the administrators out to pasture and put the supers and custodians in charge.

Order #6. Amending City Council Rules for Remote Participation.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Adopted 9-0 as Amended

The State Legislature seems to be on the verge of extending the right of elected officials to continue “phoning it in” (we’ll see tomorrow), but I hope they don’t. I really hope we return to in-person meetings. The matter of public comment is a somewhat separate matter that can be adjusted simply by amending the City Council Rules – hence this Order. I wish they would at least restrict remote public comment to Cambridge residents and invited guests. Elected officials and City staff should simply show up in person unless they are physically unable to attend.

Order #7. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to adopt certain policies related to Open Space.   Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Adopted 9-0 as Amended

Order #8. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Traffic & Parking Department to make these immediate improvements to the safety of this intersection (Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, Binney Street, and Bristol Street) and to all intersections in the city that are similarly malfunctioning, and to implement longer term changes as soon as possible.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan
Adopted 9-0

Order #9. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to work with City staff to provide an update on the cost of each license and permit required by businesses in Cambridge.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
Adopted 9-0

The would be useful information to see in one place, and I think most of use will readily agree that fees should be reasonable and bear at least some connection with the costs associated with the regulations. As far as continuing to waive or significantly reduce fees, unless you waive the enforcement and reduce the personnel, all you’re doing is moving the cost over to the property tax.

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee met on May 12, 2021 to conduct a hearing on the Cannabis Delivery Zoning Amendments and Municipal Code Amendments.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Perhaps I should make a short list of the highest priorities of this Council term and the previous term. Cannabis promotion would high on that list.

Committee Report #3. The Public Safety Committee met on Jan 6, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the Cambridge Police Department inventory list.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

The Zondervan/Sobrinho-Wheeler war on law enforcement continues. – Robert Winters

February 16, 2021

A few observations on density

Filed under: Cambridge,planning — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:44 pm

A few observations on density

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

FAR-MMcalculations

February 2, 2021

Pre/Post-Groundhog Day featured attractions – Feb 3, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 4:22 pm

Pre/Post-Groundhog Day featured attractions – Feb 3, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here goes — A lot to chew on…..Groundhog

The Feb 1 meeting was postponed to Wed, Feb 3 due to the Snow Emergency.

Starting with The Plague
Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Placed on File 9-0

Order #2. Policy Order re: Establishing an On-Site Vaccination Program.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. Policy Order re: Covid-19 Protocols at Affordable Housing Worksites.   Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #7. Vaccinating CPS Staff Plan PO.   Vice Mayor Mallon
Tabled – Mallon (9-0)

Order #8. Supporting the School Committee.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted as Amended 7-1-0-1 (Zondervan – NO, Sobrinho-Wheeler – PRESENT)

Stay Positive and Test Negative. Seriously, we should get all teachers and school staff vaccinated and able to do their jobs without fear as soon as humanly possible.

Coronagenda
Charter Right #1. That the City further investigate renting space from the New England School of English to house appropriate members of our unhoused community. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL JAN 11, 2021]
Adopted as Amended 7-0-0-2 (DS,TT – PRESENT)

This now obsolete Order (the space on Green Street has been rented as state-funded temporary housing for a some time now) was contained in the Nov 12 committee report of a public hearing on homelessness. The New England School of English apparently made available their dormitory space on Green Street that had been vacant due to the current pandemic. It was never meant to be a long-term arrangement. Activists are using this opportunity to push an agenda centered on the demand that the City establish and fund non-congregate shelter/housing for unhoused individuals. Not addressed in their demands is the fact that without similar facilities being established in Boston and elsewhere this effectively becomes a regional facility drawing people from all over the Greater Boston area. Also not addressed by the activists are the staffing and logistical challenges associated with a clientele with a high incidence of substance abuse and mental health challenges. Indeed, during the relatively short time the Green Street facility has been open there have been several drug overdoses and one suicide (jump from the parking garage across the street). One of the great luxuries of activism is that you rarely have to deal with the hard stuff.

A little open space while we still can…. and the joys of mitigation
Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,717,250 from the Mitigation Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Fund Department of Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account. Funds were received from contributions to the East Cambridge Open Space Fund and will be used will be used to fund the design and construction of three new parks in the East Cambridge/Kendall Square area; Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park, Triangle Park and Binney Street Park.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #10. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $3,174,389 from Free Cash to the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund which will be used to fund specific future projects, which will require separate individual appropriations by the City Council.
Order Adopted 9-0

Zoning and legal matters
Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-142, regarding a report on determining the feasibility of expediting the demolition and rebuilding permitting process in the event of a natural disaster.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-63, which requested a review of the granting of an extension for the 605 Concord Avenue project.
Charter Right – Nolan

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adopt with comments and suggested modifications, the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay District (Srinivasan, et al.) Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

"The Board encourages the City Council to carefully consider to what extent a bridge may or may not be guaranteed as part of a Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Special Permit and what types of alternatives would be acceptable to the City." – Ideally, this area should have its own commuter rail stop and multiple crossings over the railroad tracks, including at least one crossing that would permit shuttle buses and possibly other vehicles. The Alewife Triangle and Quadrangle should be united rather than forever remain separate oversized cul-de-sacs. Property owners and developers should recognize the value in this or seek another line of work.

Unfinished Business #5. A Zoning Petition has been received from Cambridge Redevelopment Authority regarding a Zoning Ordinance to reflect the proposed changes to the KSURP. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JAN 11, 2021. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER JAN 25, 2021] [Petition and Memo] [Draft Letter of Commitment]
Ordained 9-0

Communications #1. A communication was received from Tom Evans, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, submitting a Letter of Commitment to accompany the MXD Zoning Petition and Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Plan submission.
Adopted, Letter of Commitment incorporated; Placed on File 9-0

Ordination seems likely at this meeting. I’ll leave the details as a reading assignment.

And then there’s this
Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Carolyn Fuller – Ordinance #2021-2 Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition. [Text of petition] [signatures]
Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for Hearing and Report 9-0

The organization that calls itself "A Better Cambridge" (ABC) has now fully earned its alternative name "A Bigger Cambridge". The crux of this petition is the merging of the Residence A-1, A-2, B, C, and C-1 districts into a single unified Residence N district with dramatically increased allowable density (FAR 1.25 – Floor-Area-Ratio, the ratio of built living area as a fraction of the land area of the lot) and greatly diminished front, side and rear setbacks. It also permits additional height to allow 3 stories across all these combined districts. The appellation "Missing Middle Housing" has, in fact, nothing to do with this proposal other than as a sales pitch. In addition to allowing multi-family housing in all zones, this is simply a petition to increase – by a factor of 2 to 3 in many cases – the amount that can be built across the city – a real Gold Rush for property developers. For example, the Res A-1 and A-2 districts currently permit a 0.5 FAR; Res C permits a 0.6 FAR; and Res C-1 permits a 0.75 FAR. This proposal simply blows the lid off all of these allowable densities. Apparently, the fact that Cambridge is already one of the densest cities in the United States is simply not enough for the Sim City players who form the core of "A Bigger Cambridge". In terms of affordability for the "missing middle" there is simply nothing in this petition that would indicate this as a likely outcome. The affordability of the traditional two-family or three-family home in years past came with the responsibilities of being a landlord with the rents helping to cover the mortgage. This proposal would more likely result in even larger single-family homes (McMansions) and a greater stock of high-end condominiums and investment properties.

It’s true that Cambridge has a lot of nonconforming buildings that could not have been built under current zoning, including my own triple-decker (land area 3,133 sq ft, total living area 3,978 sq ft, and an FAR of 1.27 with negligible side setbacks and a very small yard). If I were proposing changes to Cambridge zoning I would likely allow some additional density where it makes sense, but I certainly would not recommend the replication of my own situation on my tiny lot as the new standard.

What exactly is the goal of ABC? New York City ranks 6th with a population density of 27,016 per square mile. San Francisco ranks 21st at 17,246. Somerville is 16th at 18,432. Cambridge ranks 26th in the USA at 16,355. Boston is 51st at 13,321. Chicago is 75th at 11,868. Philadelphia is 95th at 11,234. Berkeley is 110th at 10,753. Cambridge is not Belmont (5,317/sq mi).

Suffice to say, I think the general lay of the land in Cambridge today is actually quite good – an interesting balance of densities and housing types. Some greater flexibility for property owners might be a good thing, but wholesale redefinition of the city would not be a wise choice.

Bikes, bikes, and more bikes and other transportation matters
Manager’s Agenda #11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $115,300 received in donations received from MIT Real Estate, Museum of Science, and CambridgeSide to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Department Extraordinary Expenses account which will be used for costs associated with the BlueBikes bikeshare system.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $452,600 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund received from various sources to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Extraordinary Expenditures account which will be used for the purchase and expenses of Bluebikes bikeshare equipment.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number Awaiting Report 19-75, regarding the feasibility of partnering with a local research institution to conduct a study that determines how many ridehail vehicles are on the roads during both on and off-peak times and their impacts on congestion and safety.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #15. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-151, regarding the feasibility of making Porter Square and Massachusetts Avenue between Roseland Street and Beech Street a quick-build complete street with bus priority.
Placed on File 9-0

2013 Cambridge commuter shares: 28% transit, 24% walk, 7% bike, 4% carpool. The numbers have likely shifted a bit since 2013 but even with BlueBike stations and various infrastructure changes across the city it’s unlikely that the share of residents biking will ever rival transit or walking. At any given time are there more bikes on Cambridge roads or Ubers? If electric vehicles and or/autonomous vehicles proliferate, what do you think will be the result?

21st Century Commerce
Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-56, regarding establishing a plan that will allow for greater outreach and technical assistance to women-and-minority-owned businesses and small businesses that have not yet received financial assistance to assess any future City funding. [CDD report]
Placed on File 9-0

Resolution #14. The Cambridge City Council, hereby assembled, urges Amazon to meet and confer with the Cambridge community, included, but not limited to, representatives of labor unions including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 25.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Adopted 9-0

Order #1. Spending Disparity Study PO.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Thank You Notes
Resolution #7. Retirement of CCTV Executive Director, Susan Fleischmann.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons
Charter Right – Mallon

Resolution #15. Thank You to Lisa Peterson.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan
Adopted 9-0

Resolution #17. Thank You to Elizabeth “Liza” Malenfant Paden.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Toomey
Adopted 9-0

I have known all of these Great Women of Cambridge for decades. Susan Fleischmann is the one who pushed me to start doing TV broadcasts – initially with Election Night coverage and then eventually the sequel to the original Cambridge InsideOut. I first met Lisa Peterson when she worked in the City Manager’s Office during Bob Healy’s tenure. She was our point person during the early days of Cambridge Recycling about 30 years ago. Liza (and, really, all you have to say is Liza in Cambridge civic circles and everyone knows who you mean) has been a friend in and out of City government – along with her extended family – for close to 30 years. The total hours I kept Liza from getting back to work on Inman Street over the years gabbing about life and politics and how the city operates is something we’d better not talk about lest they dock her retirement.

A growing chorus of voices from Fairmont Avenue
Order #6. Policy Order re: Renaming Fairmont Avenue.   Councillor Simmons
Charter Right – Simmons

Oh, the hardship. I guess we’d also better start worrying about Washington Ave. vs. Washington St., Highland Ave. vs. Highland St., Oxford Ave. vs. Oxford St., and Wyman St. vs. Wyman Rd. Life in Cambridge is just so difficult.

Luxury Seating
Order #9. Eliminating Hostile Architecture.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
Charter Right – Nolan

Methinks the sponsors of this Order (and the activists who inspire them) wouldn’t know the difference between hostile and helpful.

Cambridge City Council on Hallucinogens
Order #10. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to direct city staff to work with the City’s state and federal partners in support of decriminalizing all Entheogenic Plants and plant-based compounds.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 8-1 (Toomey – NO)

This Order may actually explain a lot about the behavior of the Cambridge City Council. Perhaps when the pandemic winds down they can decorate the Sullivan Chamber with Peter Max posters and pipe in some Donovan songs like "Mellow Yellow" and "Sunshine Superman". Bringing back black lights would also be a nice touch.

Carrots or Sticks
Committee Report #1. Health & Environment Committee met on Aug 11, 2020 meet to discuss the Net Zero Action Plan FY20 progress report and to receive a general update on the plan including the upcoming 5-year review process.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Greater efficiency is always a good thing, but incentives are always better than mandates when it comes to private homes. I don’t think enough councillors fully understand this. – Robert Winters

February 18, 2020

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 453-454: February 18, 2020

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,elections,recycling — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:33 pm

Episode 453 – Cambridge InsideOut: Feb 18, 2020 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Feb 18, 2020 at 5:30pm. Topics: Nevada caucuses, brokered convention, Presidential prognostication; Local State Rep. & State Senate contests; Charlie Cards; cannabis litigation; Harvard Square Zoning Petition. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters. [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 454 – Cambridge InsideOut: Feb 18, 2020 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Feb 18, 2020 at 6:00pm. Topics: Zoning updates; broader look at zoning; Neon!; Waste reduction milestone, history and future goals; River St. reconstruction; Carl Barron Plaza, perpetual substance abuse, and lowered expectations; nonnegotiables, inflexibility, and bad outcomes in public ways. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

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