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