Neighbors, I have attached the Porter Square Neighborhood Association's letter to the Planning Board, and another letter specifically dealing with traffic concerns. I subscribe to the viewpoint expressed in both, after attending many meetings and following the online discussion. There has been a lot of controversy re this proposed development of 46 condo units and new church function/office buildings at Beech Street and along Mass Ave. Oaktree (the developers) bought the old car wash on Mass Ave near the fire station originally to build a condo unit, which they can do with the current zoning. St. James Church, which desperately needs to make repairs to the church itself, and wants to build decent out-buildings sufficient to allow the church to continue to operate many of its social outreach services-a food pantry/shelter, etc., approached the developers asking to join forces. There is also a proposed new church office to be located on Mass Ave. The neighborhood garden will be reoriented, and maintained. Many of the abutters and the immediate neighbors, on Orchard and Blake Street behind the proposed development, are opposed to the 4th story on the proposed building (the developer could build 60 units by right, so the proposal represents an attempt to build something to the scale of the church and buildings nearby). The neighbors also adamantly oppose the traffic entrance/exit for the underground garage on Beech Street. They insist Beech Street traffic is already a disaster, and that it must be on Mass Ave. Unfortunately, that is not the city's traffic department's view, and they want no entrance exit on Mass Ave for a new residential development. The PSNA letter addresses these concerns, but takes a measured view that the Porter Square Neighborhood Association must represent the larger neighborhood good to achieve the best possible project, one that stands a chance of actually being built, and allows the funds for renovating the historic church. The Planning Board meeting addressing this issue will be on Tuesday, the 20th. The city's website did not, as of this am, yet have the agenda up for that meeting. As usual, I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, Ruth Ruth A. Ryals 115 Upland Rd. Cambridge, MA 02140 617-547-6453 617-834-4007 cell rryals@comcast.net -----Original Message----- From: psna-bounces@lists.portersquare.net [mailto:psna-bounces@lists.portersquare.net] On Behalf Of John Howard Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 9:13 AM To: psna@portersquare.net Subject: [PSNA] PSNA letters to planning board Final versions of PSNA's letters to the Planning Board are on the PSNA web site. Main letter about the special permit application: http://www.portersquare.net/files/portersquare.net/PB-StJames-Final.pdf Supplementary letter about the traffic study: http://www.portersquare.net/files/portersquare.net/PB-Traffic-Final.pdf Individuals are encouraged to write their own letters or emails to the Planning Board, or to speak briefly at the hearing next Tuesday. For more information see the city's web site at: http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/cp/zng/index.html John Howard _______________________________________________ PSNA mailing list PSNA@lists.portersquare.net http://lists.portersquare.net/listinfo.cgi/psna-portersquare.net