December 2024 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

Fwd: Clarification re our City Council Vote Tonight
by raryals 23 Dec '24

23 Dec '24

FYI ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Cathie Zusy City Councillor <cathie(a)votezusy.org> Date: Mon, Dec 23, 2024 at 12:39 PM Subject: Clarification re our City Council Vote Tonight To: <raryals(a)gmail.com> [image: Logo] 23 December 2024 *Clarification re our City Council Vote Tonight* At tonight’s City Council meeting we will be voting to advance a late order that asks the City Manager to collaborate with the Community Development Department (CDD) to update the first and second sections of the Multifamily Housing Petition with the amendments I shared in my email. We won’t be voting to adopt the amendments. That is likely to happen in January after we hear back from CDD. The Ordinance Committee will probably vote on the amendments January 16. The full Council will probably vote on the amended proposal February 10. *So tonight is NOT the final vote, but our vote tonight to forward the amendments will advance the proposal.* (The formal amendment language is noted below.) Tonight you can give testimony, starting at 5:30pm, about this by signing up for public comment here: https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/calendar.aspx <https://votezusy.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=37b5afde0c3c4def9bcfe8b…> . Sign up to speak to the late policy order re MFH. You can also speak Wednesday, January 8 at 5pm at the Ordinance Committee meeting about the proposal and the amendments. Closer to the date, you’ll be able to sign up for public comment here: https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/calendar.aspx <https://votezusy.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=37b5afde0c3c4def9bcfe8b…> . You can also write to the full Council, City Clerk and City Manager by emailing: council(a)CambridgeMA.Gov cityclerk(a)cambridgema.gov citymanager(a)cambridgema.gov It is always most powerful if you speak in person in the Council Chamber. Thanks to all of you for your advocacy! Cathie ____ *Proposed Amendments* Ordered: The City Manager is directed to collaborate with the Community Development Department (CDD) to update the first Petition (Multifamily Housing Zoning Petition Part One) and amend Residence C-1 Zoning in the Cambridge Zoning Map and Ordinance in Articles 2.000, 3.000, 4.000, 5.000, 6.000, 7.000, 8.000, 10.000, 11.000, 13.000, 14.000, 16.000, 17.000, 20.000, and 21.000 with the intent of: 1. Reducing the base zoning height limit from six stories to four stories; 2. Establishing a two-story density bonus for inclusionary developments and requiring a special permit for any exceptions; 3. Setting an average maximum unit size of 2,000 square feet per lot area for new construction; 4. Adding back formula-based contextual 5-foot side and rear setbacks for all developments, with exceptions for townhouses, and requiring a special permit for any other exceptions; 5. Requiring a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet for developments greater than 4 stories; and be it further Ordered: The City Manager is directed to collaborate with the Community Development Department (CDD) to update the second petition (Multifamily Housing Zoning Petition Part Two) and amend Residence C-1 Zoning in the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 5.000, 11.000, 15.000, 17.000, 19.000, and 20.000 with the intent of: 6. Mandating 30% open space, with at least 50% being permeable, and requiring a special permit for exceptions. 7. Ensuring the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) still scales with base zoning, allowing for heights of up to nine stories; and be it further Ordered: Zoning language be added with the intent of: 8. Implementing a 5-year review of these provisions; 9. Requiring compensation for any existing solar installations impacted; and be it further Ordered: The City Manager is further directed to collaborate with CDD and the Law Department to report back and bring forward any necessary separate zoning amendments or information about: 1. Rezoning the corridors and squares; 2. Exempting inclusionary housing projects from demolition delay requirements. 3. Proposing using Affordable Housing Trust funds or other external funding sources through the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority to subsidize inclusionary housing units, especially smaller projects (5-15 units). **Copyright (C) 2024* Zusy for Council * All rights reserved. * Our mailing address is: *202 Hamilton St., Cambridge, MA 02139* cathie(a)votezusy.org Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://votezusy.us11.list-manage.com/profile?u=37b5afde0c3c4def9bcfe8be4&i…> or unsubscribe <https://votezusy.us11.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=37b5afde0c3c4def9bcfe8b…> -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Fwd: Update #4: Multifamily Housing, Bike Lanes, City Charter, the Budget & More
by raryals 22 Dec '24

22 Dec '24

FYI-that’s a wrap. Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Cathie Zusy City Councillor <cathie(a)votezusy.org> Date: Sun, Dec 22, 2024 at 4:16 PM Subject: Update #4: Multifamily Housing, Bike Lanes, City Charter, the Budget & More To: <raryals(a)gmail.com> [image: Logo] 22 December 2024 *Update #4: *Multifamily Housing, Bike lanes, City Charter, the Budget & More Greetings Fellow Cantabrigians, Here are my latest Council updates: Multifamily Housing Proposal I was disheartened by the Ordinance Committee meeting Thursday night. I had thought the outpouring of letters and testimony against the MFH proposal and the Planning Board <https://votezusy.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=37b5afde0c3c4def9bcfe8b…>’s refusal to support it would make councillors reconsider. And I’d hoped for a healthy public discussion of the proposal and that ultimately, it would be pared down to multifamily housing everywhere. But this didn’t happen. Instead, a compromise was presented and passed: - 4 stories everywhere with a 2-story density bonus for inclusionary developments (the latter only on lots of 5,000 sq. feet or larger). This is all as of right except for developments of over 75,000 square feet (up from the current 50,000 sq. ft. special permit baseline). - Setbacks have been added back in and AHO buildings can only go up to 9 stories. This is certainly better than the original proposal, but it remains problematic. I worry that it will trigger tear-downs and displacement and inflate property values, making it harder for middle class folks to live in Cambridge, not easier. It also threatens our tree canopy, historic buildings and neighborhood character. I respect the intent of the MFH proposal: to make building easier and to inspire home production but question its approach and the stated need. After delays due to COVID, construction has picked up and interest rates are falling, which will further prompt construction. Currently housing construction is happening here <https://votezusy.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=37b5afde0c3c4def9bcfe8b…> and affordable housing developers, including the Cambridge Housing Authority, Homeowners Rehab, Just a Start, Capstone Communities and WinnDevelopment, have projects in play. So do we really need to let down the guardrails? I continue to believe that most development should be “smart growth,” along our corridors and squares and in transition districts identified by Envision Cambridge—not in our residential districts. Please share your thoughts about the MFH proposal at the January 8, 5pm Ordinance Committee meeting. Sign up to give public comment here <https://votezusy.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=37b5afde0c3c4def9bcfe8b…>. I am also organizing a meeting of the Neighborhood & Longterm Planning Committee featuring urban planning faculty from MIT for early January. Stay tuned. Cycling & Garden Street December 2 we unanimously passed a policy order asking the City Manager to assess keeping our bike lanes, while removing parking as necessary to restore Garden Street to two ways. (I co-sponsored this P.O.) Over 500 residents on abutting streets wrote us letters supporting this, some of them cyclists. Only about 100 residents wrote in opposition. This is not a done deal, though. Traffic & Parking will analyze data and report back by April. (They are focused on designs for Cambridge St., Broadway and N. Mass. Ave. at the moment.) I am concerned that there is not a formal process for re-evaluating problematic intersections and roads. Every week citizens send councillors recommendations for changes; these must be considered and inform improvements. We also voted to ask the City to report on the next five years of anticipated cycle lane rollout. Asbestos City Councillor Nolan and I submitted a P.O. asking the City to require that the MBTA follow Cambridge asbestos removal standards as they build their layover tunnel at the IQHQ site beside Russell Field, which is known to be contaminated. This passed unanimously. Still, the Conservation Committee just voted to grant the MBTA an Order of Conditions to proceed without this requirement. City Charter I’m happy to report the Ordinance Committee voted to stick with City Manager leadership. And in spite of the Charter Review Committee recommendation to create a resident assembly, we voted against it. Cambridge already has a very engaged citizenry, many serving in over 50 advisory groups. In January, we’ll continue the discussion about the selection of the mayor, the length of council terms, and who should be entitled to vote. I believe the Council should select its mayor; that Council terms should remain at two years; and that to vote in municipal elections, we should continue to require that you are at least 18 and a U.S. citizen, as in other U.S. elections. Ultimately, the City Council will decide on a set of Charter updates that will be reviewed by the legislature and then voted on, up or down, by you. City Budget Commercial tax revenue is falling, meaning we anticipate Cambridge to face a growing debt as we finish rehabbing a fire station, building bike lanes, improving open space, and acting on deferred maintenance on municipal buildings. Cambridge remains financially sound, however, this means that for the next few years, we cannot contemplate large capital improvements or new initiatives. We will have a leaner (though still robust) budget and need to find smarter ways to do more with less. Around Town Among the many meetings I’ve had these past weeks was one where the DCR presented 90% plans for Memorial Drive improvements <https://votezusy.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=37b5afde0c3c4def9bcfe8b…> between JFK Street and the Eliot Bridge. This project has been in planning since 2016. While nothing is ever perfect, I applaud the persistence of DCR staff in pushing it forward. It will dramatically enhance our river parklands on the western end of the City. Happy Holidays! Cathie Cambridge City Councillor P.S. If you like my letter, please share it with friends and have them email me at czusy(a)cambridgema.gov to be added to the list. Also, if you appreciate my work, please consider sending a year end gift to “Zusy for Council” to my Treasurer Mara Goldberg at 172 Chestnut St., Cambridge, MA 02139 <https://www.google.com/maps/search/172+Chestnut+St.,+Cambridge,+MA+02139?en…> . Below are photos of Magazine Beach Park, an oasis in the City, and me at Governor Healey’s signing of the Mass Leads Act at the Regan Institute—$4b for bio tech, climate tech and AI initiatives+. **Copyright (C) 2024* Zusy for Council * All rights reserved. * Our mailing address is: *202 Hamilton St., Cambridge, MA 02139 <https://www.google.com/maps/search/202+Hamilton+St.,+Cambridge,+MA+02139?en…>* cathie(a)votezusy.org Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://votezusy.us11.list-manage.com/profile?u=37b5afde0c3c4def9bcfe8be4&i…> or unsubscribe <https://votezusy.us11.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=37b5afde0c3c4def9bcfe8b…>

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Any recommendation on where to fill an eyeglass RX?
by raryals 20 Dec '24

20 Dec '24

Asking for a friend, who needs to get there by foot from Huron Ave area. Thanks, Ruth Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Fire claims a life at homeless encampment
by raryals 20 Dec '24

20 Dec '24

https://patch.com/massachusetts/somerville/encampment-fire-kills-one-somerv…

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Significant purchase of land for Affordable Housing development on Frost Tr/Roseland
by raryals 20 Dec '24

20 Dec '24

We hope to get them to a PSNA meeting soon. Ruth -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Fwd: Correction - Re: New AHO property acquisition in Baldwin (Frost & Roseland)
by raryals 18 Dec '24

18 Dec '24

Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Blier, Suzanne <blier(a)fas.harvard.edu> Date: Wed, Dec 18, 2024 at 10:24 AM Subject: Correction - Re: New AHO property acquisition in Baldwin (Frost & Roseland). I just spoke with a councillor who says Hope and Korb are planning on keeping these buildings as is, but renovating them as AHOs. They have a larger structure planned for a large (1 acre?) property adjacent/near to this. That could go to what ever the AHO allows. ------------------------------ *From: *"Blier, Suzanne" *Sent: *Wednesday, December 18, 2024 9:09:37 AM *Subject: *New AHO property acquisition in Baldwin (Frost & Roseland) This just was announced. I mapped out the new AHO property locations (see image below) I don’t know whether the plan is to demolish the existing buildings here or build around them (there is little room for that). Charlie Sullivan would know whether he thinks the CHC would meet to approve these specific demolitions. I am curious how many units it would bring in terms of the ongoing discussion of how many units we need to build. That said, Baldwin & Porter Square are getting hit really hard. We need to add in the 500 unit project just across the boundary in Somerville that also are part of this major building upsurge. From Chris Cotter (forwarded by a councillor): “The team of Capstone Communities and Hope Real Estate Enterprises has acquired a portfolio of properties in the Porter Square area. The newly acquired properties were marketed as the Roseland Portfolio and were sold by the long-term family owner. The Affordable Housing Trust provided the financing to purchase the properties. The portfolio of properties is located on the corner of Roseland Street and Frost Street and is adjacent to their Frost Terrace development. The portfolio includes 6 buildings and a total of 23 units. The Capstone/Hope team will continue to operate the existing housing while they begin to plan for redevelopment of these properties through the AHO. City staff will continue to work with their team as they develop their plan and engage with the community about building new affordable housing there.” Link: https://multifamily.cushwake.com/Listings/30819 <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__multifamily.cushwake.c…> [image: A map of a city Description automatically generated] [image: Aerial view of a neighborhood with many houses Description automatically generated]

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This is nuts!
by raryals 16 Dec '24

16 Dec '24

https://www.reddit.com/r/CambridgeMA/s/hU9M6RgYoR Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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The Crimson article on Whitney’s closure
by raryals 16 Dec '24

16 Dec '24

Thanks to John Hawkinson: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/12/14/whitneys-bar-close-eviction/

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Harvard Square Bar Forced To Close By Year's End: Report
by raryals 16 Dec '24

16 Dec '24

Whitney's first opened in 1953. https://patch.com/massachusetts/cambridge/harvard-square-forced-close-years… Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Fwd: [trees] A promising online tool to measure tree canopy in specific locations
by raryals 13 Dec '24

13 Dec '24

Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Melissa Ludtke <melissa.ludtke(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, Dec 13, 2024 at 5:17 PM Subject: [trees] A promising online tool to measure tree canopy in specific locations To: Cambridge Trees <cambridge-trees-core(a)googlegroups.com> Hi: In a Zoom meeting with the Boston Urban Forest Friends this morning, I learned about an online tool for evaluating a location's tree population and canopy. I'm passing along the two links shared within this group. Those on the Zoom who are familiar with this software spoke highly of its capabilities. https://planitgeo.com and https://hub.treesatwork.org I pass this along to this group since it could assist in doing independent research on trees in Cambridge. Onward, Melissa Melissa Ludtke Author, Locker Room Talk: A Woman's Struggle to Get Inside, forthcoming from Rutgers University Press, August 2024 https://www.melissaludtke.com/ Substack: https://melissaludtke.substack.com/ Co-Producer, *Touching Home in China: in search of missing girlhoods*Website <http://touchinghomeinchina.com/> phone: 617-416-1989 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambridge Trees CORE" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cambridge-trees-core+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cambridge-trees-core/CAC6kL_qqx6fM5D0Gk79… <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cambridge-trees-core/CAC6kL_qqx6fM5D0Gk79…> .

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