Observatory Hill retail buildings update <https://avonhillcambridge.nextdoor.com/news_feed/?post=50383923> Graciela Galup <https://avonhillcambridge.nextdoor.com/profile/3193463/> from Huron Village · 51m ago Hi everyone, A big thanks to all of you who wrote to the Historical Commission last week. Your input made a huge difference in the outcome -- a delay in demolition which allows us now to proceed with our rezoning efforts. Here's what you can do next to help protect our neighborhood: "Notice of Upcoming Zoning Hearings Starting May 4th, we have 65 days to get the zoning overlay passed by the City Council. We¹ve included the steps below that we need to take to get the zoning voted on and approved. The first two hearing dates are: 1. Planning Board: Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at 7:00 PM, Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway. This hearing is especially important (see description below). If you want to have your emails and letters count at the initial hearing, they need to be sent to Liza Paden by, Tuesday, May 9th, before noon. If you can¹t make the May 9th deadline, please still send them because they will count for the Planning Board report. 2. Ordinance Committee: Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 3:30 PM, Cambridge City Hall, Sullivan Chamber, 2nd Floor, 795 Massachusetts Ave. Whether or not you attend at least one of these meetings, it would be very helpful to send a letter or email with copies both to the Planning Board and the City Clerk. It would also be helpful to copy the City Councilors and the City Manager on these emails/letters. You can also call City Councilors and ask for their support. (see below for email and mailing addresses and phone numbers). The main point of the overlay zoning is to preserve our local business and residential mix. Currently the pressure is to tear down commercial buildings and replace them with only housing. Our zoning says that if you tear down a building with first floor retail, you have to replace the retail on the first floor, and can have housing on the above two floors. Thanks so much for your help. Contact the City Council Members E. Denise Simmons (Mayor), Email: dsimmons@cambridgema.gov Marc C. McGovern (Vice Mayor), Email: mmcgovern@cambridgema.gov Dennis J. Carlone, Email: dcarlone@cambridgema.gov , co-chair of the Ordinance Committee Leland Cheung, Email: lcheung@cambridgema.gov , co-chair of the Ordinance Committee Jan Devereux, Email: jdevereux@cambridgema.gov Craig A. Kelley, Email: ckelley@cambridgema.gov David P. Maher, Email: dmaher@cambridgema.gov Nadeem A. Mazen, Email: nmazen@cambridgema.gov Timothy J. Toomey, JR. , Email: ttoomey@cambridgema.gov Address: City Hall, 2nd Floor, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone, City Council: 617-349-4280 Phone, Mayor¹s Office: 617-349-4321 Contact the City Manager and City Clerk Ordinance Committee, Contact: City Clerk, Donna Lopez, Email: DLopez@cambridgema.gov . Address: 795 Massachusetts Ave., 1st Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139. Ordinance Committee Website: Lists members and calendar:http://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Boa... <http://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Board/1056-Ordinance-Committee> City Manager, Louis A. DePasquale Address: 795 Massachusetts Ave., 1st Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139. Email: citymanager@cambridgema.gov City Manager¹s Phone: 617-349-4300 City Manager Website: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/... <https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/citymanagersoffice> Contact the Planning Board Liza Paden: email lpaden@cambridgema.gov Phone 617-349-4647 Address: 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139 Planning Board Website: https://www.cambridgema.gov/cdd/zoningan... <https://www.cambridgema.gov/cdd/zoninganddevelopment/planningboard> "