Neighbors,
This is the letter I sent to the
Planning Board after last week’s meeting.
Ruth
Ruth A. Ryals
115 Upland Rd.
Cambridge, MA 02140
617-547-6453
617-834-4007 cell
rryals@comcast.net
From: Ruth Ryals
[mailto:rryals@comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 7:45 PM
To: 'lpaden@cambridgema.gov.'
Cc: 'John Howard'; 'Susan Hunziker'
Subject: Thoughts on the St. James/Oaktree proposal/Planning Board
Meeting of 10-20-09
I have a few thoughts after participating in last night’s
incredibly long Planning Board meeting. I am in favor of the St.
James/Oaktree development, as I think it offers a rare chance to save an
historic church, further it’s extraordinary community outreach, and develops
appropriately dense housing units near Porter Square, making a good “green” statement.
First, I am continually impressed with the dedication of the
members of the various boards and advisory groups supporting Cambridge’s
Community Development Department. I am also impressed with the city
officials who regularly give up their evenings to these meetings and who remain
civil even when many of us citizens question their reports or decisions.
As to the proposal put forward for review, some of the
points which need better resolution, in my mind are:
*Trash for the residential units
46 units will generate a lot of trash to be handled on Beech
Street. I suggest the developer consider (and the city insist on) some
strong steps to mitigate the trash volume/disruption of traffic during pick-up,
with full or empty cans on the street for any significant period. Some
things which might be considered are
1) trash compactors in units (and in the church
kitchen/food pantry)
2) in unit food scrap composters and a regular program
of recycling that waste into screened compost units in the Knight’s Garden with
the output regularly dug into the garden’s soil
3) Consider a screened area inside the garage for the
compacted trash collection and serious recyclables by type, and a commitment by
the vendor (and building management/tenants) to keep both the garage and the
street areas clean.
*Surface parking spaces at the head/left of the parking
entry
It seems to me that there will need to be some warning
light/buzzer signal to warn of a car coming up from the garage or a car backing
out of these units. And that calls into to question the noise level for
any buzzer which would be acceptable to neighbors. I am unsure of the details
of the garage door, but it’s operation will have the same warning/noise
issues.
I also suspect that the church/building management will need
to work hard to avoid misuse of these spaces. Perhaps the time limit
should be 15 minutes, except for the handicap unit(s). Both the
church/building management should seriously restrict employee parking and
strongly emphasize use of mass transit/foot/bike.
To a lesser extent, the above would need to be applied to
the spaces in front of the church on Mass Avenue.
One overall consideration-why not lose some car spaces in
the garage and sell the proximity to mass transit? That is the definition
of “green”.
*Balconies facing the residential street neighbors
I can understand why the church doesn’t want them
overlooking the garden on the church side, and I can certainly understand why
the neighbors don’t like them. I suggest the project eliminate
them. Instead make it a green roof with a patio, even a covered (arbor?)
area, safe (?) grilling area, etc. (all set back from view of the neighboring
houses) on the roof for tenants. That plus the Knight’s Garden should be
enough to sell the units.
*Creative plan to ease Beech Street traffic congestion,
which needs review, regardless of this project
Is it possible to think about a garage pass through?
Meaning enter the garage on Mass Ave only and exit on Beech only? That
would allow for a narrower entrance/exit at each and less traffic.
Consider restricting left turns across traffic at both
locations (with the current proposal of church function servicing on Mass Ave
and resident entrance/exit on Beech or with garage pass through) between 7-10
am and 4-7 pm.
Can some of the Beech Street traffic logically go onto
another street? No one wants it, I am sure, and it is just another
example of why it is imperative we eliminate the use of cars in Cambridge as
much as possible.
Finally, there were a number of views expressed last night
about the architectural style/design of the development. Many want it to
reflect the church, the Victorian houses on Orchard, even the firehouse.
I think that while the materials used may reflect the stone of the church, or
the wood of the Victorians, it is important to acknowledge that this is 21st
Century building, which can be modern, yet compliment the historical buildings
(think Paris). It would be a design mistake to attempt to follow too
literally those prior designs.
Thank you again for your hard work,
Ruth Ryals
115 Upland Rd.
Cambridge, MA 02140
617-547-6453
rryals@comcast.net