Finally. Now the real work begins! Craig Kelly was the sole dissenting vote. Ruth -----Original Message----- From: psna-bounces@lists.portersquare.net [mailto:psna-bounces@lists.portersquare.net] On Behalf Of John Howard Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:20 AM To: psna@portersquare.net Subject: [PSNA] Lesley Porter Overlay District adopted On June 22 the Cambridge City Council voted 8-1 to create a Lesley Porter Overlay District. This new overlay district rezones Lesley University's Porter Square campus, including the former North Prospect Congregational Church site, to allow Lesley to bring the Arts Institute of Boston to Porter Square. It limits what Lesley could eventually build on the parking lots behind and across Massachusetts Avenue from University Hall, although Lesley has not proposed any specific plans for those sites. It also has provisions to require open space and to encourage ground floor retail. The City Council also granted landmark status to the church, meaning that any alteration to the church's exterior, or relocation of the church on its lot, will require approval by the Historical Commission. Lesley University has submitted a related memorandum of understanding which commits them to working with neighbors on construction mitigation, providing courtesy parking during snow emergencies, ensuring adequate parking during events, contributing to beautification along Massachusetts Avenue between Harvard and Porter Squares, giving the public access to Lesley facilities such as an art library, and long-term engagement with the neighborhood. This is the outcome of nearly three years' negotiation by Lesley University, City of Cambridge planning staff, neighborhood associations including PSNA and Agassiz Baldwin, abutters, and other concerned citizens, to develop an acceptable rezoning plan. Discussion by the City Council included the usual questions about traffic and parking, impact on immediate abutters, construction mitigation, worry that economic problems could cause the project to be suspended halfway through, retail issues, and open space. Many these concerns were addressed by amendments worked out in an intensive dialog between Lesley, the City's planning staff, and neighbors and abutters over the last several weeks. Most of the councillors praised the civil tone of the dialog, the dedication of both supporters and opponents, and the hard work of all participants, and called for continuing engagement of all parties. The next major step in the process will be for Lesley to develop a specific design for the Arts Institute of Boston project, for submission to a special project review before the Planning Board as well as Historical Commission review. That will take a while. There is lots more coming, but at the moment we can hope for a respite. John Howard _______________________________________________ PSNA mailing list PSNA@lists.portersquare.net http://lists.portersquare.net/listinfo.cgi/psna-portersquare.net **************************************************************************** ****************** Cambridge City Council gives green light to Lesley expansion ________________________________________ By Jillian Fennimore Wicked Local Cambridge Posted Jun 23, 2009 @ 04:42 PM Last update Jun 23, 2009 @ 04:44 PM ________________________________________ Cambridge - After hearing close to three hours of passionate public comment, city councilors overwhelmingly endorsed Lesley University's proposal to puff out its Porter Square campus. People packed inside City Hall's Sullivan Chambers Monday night spilled into the hallway as residents fervently spoke both in favor and against the school's plans to create a "Lesley/Porter Overlay District" that will rezone the university's properties for future projects, turn a former church into a library, and relocate a major art school to Mass. Ave. "I've never walked away from a zoning process where everyone has been satisfied," said City Councilor Marjorie Decker. "There have been compromises that have been made." Councilors passed the petition - 8-1 - with a list of amendments and commitments for future projects, including lowered building heights, increased open space requirements, potential for ground floor retail, a ban on building dormitories, and an additional $500,000 from Lesley for neighborhood improvements in exchange for special permits. City Councilor Craig Kelley cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing that he was uncomfortable supporting a proposal with uncertain parking plans, unclear control over future special permit applications, and fear for unfinished construction projects. Monday's vote concludes a nearly three-year discussion between developers, abutters and members of a city-appointed Lesley Neighborhood Working Group, on what the new zoning changes should consist of and allow. The majority of residents say they look forward to the relocation the Art Institute of Boston, which Lesley purchased in 1999, from its former location in Kenmore Square. The new 100,000-square-foot AIB complex, with two underground floors for classrooms and studios, is slated to be built on the lot where the North Prospect Church currently stands. But interested abutters and councilors say the conversation will not end here, adding that future meetings on building design, construction mitigation, traffic and parking studies are still on the table. Lesley's other plans for their new overlay district include constructing future properties with certain on the site of University Hall - formerly known as the Sears Roebuck building - and its rear parking lot, along with the two adjacent parking lots. Despite some opposition, the North Prospect Church - dating back to 1845 and originally located in Harvard Square - has been proposed to be slightly altered and moved closer to the sidewalk on Mass. Ave. turned into a library with an art gallery for the university. City councilors unanimously voted on Monday to uphold a Planning Board recommendation to make the church a historical landmark. Any future alterations to the church would require approval from the Historical Commission. Next steps for Lesley include moving forward with designing the Art Institute of Boston project that will be reviewed both by the Planning Board and Historical Commission sometime this year, according to Lesley spokesman Bill Doncaster. "I hope they change their name when they come to this side of the river," joked City Councilor Tim Toomey about the art school