March 8, 2006 GAC Update

The City Council met on Monday, legislation was filed in the State House on Tuesday to streamline and expedite the permitting process in the Commonwealth, the GAC, with the Chamber’s Women in Business Committee, hosted an Executive Speaker luncheon with Lesley President Margaret McKenna on Wednesday afternoon, and the City hosted a meeting on Harvard Square retail on Wednesday evening.

March 6 City Council Meeting

Council Approves Package Store License Move to Harvard Square
The City Council passed an order authorizing the License Commission to act favorably, after thorough review, on a petition that would move a package license from Cap Area 3 (North Cambridge) to Cap Area 1 (Harvard Square).  The new liquor store would be located at 56 JFK Street.

Council Notes
The business community has worked with other members of the Cambridge community to improve the quality of life in Cambridge. A strong economy is one aspect of that quality of life and the City of Cambridge, both the administration and the City Council, have worked with the business community to ensure that Cambridge continues to be a great place for business. A good example is the License Commission's recent actions to allow outdoor service of alcoholic beverages with meals.

Over the past several meetings of this relatively new City Council a number of orders have been filed that could, if adopted administratively or by change in City ordinance, increase regulatory burdens on businesses operating in Cambridge. I am maintaining a list of these orders, and will track the City Managers response and other Council actions.  I encourage Chamber members who review the Council agenda to let me know about any orders that are particular concerns to their industry or organization.

The Chamber will work with the Council, administration, and the community to ensure that any changes in administrative practices and regulation do not increase undue regulatory burdens on the business community. It is my hope that the spirit of cooperation will continue as this new City Council continues its work serving our community.

State House News

Representative Michael Rodrigues, Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, introduced An Act Relative to Streamlining the Permitting Process in the Commonwealth at a press conference held this past Tuesday.  The legislation builds on changes made in the last legislature and proposals made by the Governor. Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate have held hearing throughout the State over the past several months with members of the business community. The legislation builds on changes made in the last legislature and proposals made by the Governor.  Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate have held hearing throughout the State over the past several months with members of the business community.

The legislation includes funding for a “Permit Ombudsman” position in the Executive Office of Economic Affairs, for technical assistance to cities and towns, and for the Division of Administrative Law Appeals to clear up the back log of DEP appeals. The legislation also makes regulatory changes including allowing communities to opt-in to provisions under Chapter 43D, passed in 2004, for specific sites or areas within a community. The original legislation, which has not been used by any community, required a community to opt-in for the entire city or town. The legislation also eliminates the 10-citizen intervention in Chapter 91 licensing and municipal harbor plan approvals.

At Tuesday’s press conference Representative Rodrigues announced that the first step in the process was review of the funding provisions by the House Ways and Means Committee. I spoke to members of business organizations from throughout the state who are excited about this legislation and view this as a positive step in improving the ability of businesses to do business throughout the Commonwealth. 

President McKenna Addresses GAC/WIB Executive Speaker Luncheon

A crowd of more than 80 local business leaders heard Lelsey University President Margaret McKenna discuss Lelsey’s growth during her twenty years at the school, the University’s plans for the future, and her plans after she steps down as Lesley president in June 2007.  A full write-up on this event will appear in the next edition of Connections, the Chamber newsletter.  President McKenna said that Lesley continues to work with the MBTA on air rights at Porter Square and that Lesley is awaiting the MBTA’s signature on an agreement.

Discussion on Harvard Square Retail Mix

The City’s Community Development Department held a public meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss the retail mix in Harvard Square. This meeting followed a Harvard Square Retail Workshop held last October.

City staff discussed a number of projects in the works related to Harvard Square including signage improvements and changes in license regulations that will allow, with approval of the Licensing Board, restaurants with liquor licenses to serve alcoholic beverages as part of outdoor dining on public ways abutting establishments. Currently establishments with approval for outdoor dining on public ways are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages. There was also a presentation about changes being considered to the City’s signage ordinance.

Following the presentation attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions. Several participants suggested putting signs-up around the Square directing visitors to retail establishments. Representatives from the Harvard Square Business Association noted that this is being considered. There was also discussion about graffiti, street safety, and vacant retail space. The City will convene a meeting May 10 on Arts and Entertainment in Harvard Square.

For a listing of public meetings, visit the Public Meetings link or the Public Meeting Notices area of the City of Cambridge Web site.