April 16, 2008 GAC Update
The Council met on Monday and passed Policy Orders regarding lots that are in two or more zoning districts and public/private status of e-mails to and from public officials and a report from the Ordinance Committee.
No Council Meeting next week due to the Patriots’ Day Holiday. Cambridge’s Patriots’ Day Veterans’ Observance will be held at 10:45 a.m. Monday, April 21 on the Cambridge Common. The Council next meets on April 28.
The Chamber co-sponsored a very informative meeting on the planned Urban Ring on Tuesday, April 15.
The next GAC meeting and luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday April 29. Our guest will be Cambridge License Commissioner Richard Scali.
You are invited to Massachusetts Biz/Bio: Economic Prosperity Through Scientific Discovery on Wednesday, April 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Hynes Convention Center. The keynote speaker will be Dr. John C. Lechleiter, President and CEO of Eli Lilly Co. The Chamber is joining with local and national organizations to sponsor this event. Register at www.mabizbio.org.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2008 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme.
April GAC Meeting and Luncheon
Tuesday April 29, 2008
Richard Scali, Cambridge License Commission
Commissioner Scali will discuss the work of the license Commission including changes to the alcohol licensing regulations and introduction of hybrid taxis to the cab fleet.
Noon, Chamber Board Room
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs at
tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or by phone at 617-876-4213.
(Note the date is the fifth Tuesday of April)
May GAC Meeting and Luncheon
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
James Scafide, Chief of the Business Technology and Economic Development Division of the Office of Massachusetts Attorney General, will be our guest at the May GAC meeting and luncheon. He will discuss Attorney General Martha Coakley’s initiatives around job creation and economic development and is interested in learning what issues are of importance to the Cambridge business community.
Noon, Chamber Board Room
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs at
tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or by phone at 617-876-4213.
(Note change of date for the guest and that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday)
June GAC Meeting and Luncheon
June 24, 2008
Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas will address the June GAC Meeting and Luncheon
Noon, Chamber Board Room
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs at
tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or by phone at 617-876-4213.
April 14, 2008 City Council Meeting
The Council met on Monday and passed a Policy Order requesting a detailed analysis of the “split-lot” law in Massachusetts. The Council also passed an order regarding the “public/private” aspects of e-mails to and from public officials and received a report from the Ordinance Committee recommending that structures built to store bicycles be not be included in calculating Floor Area Ratio.
Split-Lot Zoning
Policy Order 4 asks the City Manager to provide a detailed analysis of “split lot” law in Massachusetts. The issue is how the City interprets zoning requirements when a lot is in more than one zoning district. This issue was raised regarding a single project where the lot is in more than one district and the City approved the project allowing the property owner to make choices within the entire lot when meeting open-space and other requirements. Some members of the community apparently believe that the zoning ordinance requires that the lot be treated as two separate lots, defined by zoning boundaries, to meet these requirements.
Public/Private Aspects of E-mails
Policy Order 5 asks a number of questions about the public/private nature of communications from public officials. The order specifically cites communications from the City Manager to City Council members that are not posted on the City website.
Bicycle Storage and FAR
Under the current zoning ordinance garages are not counted toward Floor Area Ration (FAR) but other outbuildings, such as sheds to store bicycles, may be counted toward FAR.
Committee Report 1 provides information about this issue and a recommendation from the Ordinance Committee that the zoning ordinance be amended to allow structures built to store bicycles to not be included in calculating FAR.
April 15, 2008 Business briefing on the Urban Ring
More than 50 members of the Cambridge business community attended a special business briefing on the Urban Ring project at the Cambridge Marriott on Tuesday April 15. Attendees were greeted by Cambridge City Manager Robert Healy and Chamber President and CEO Kelly Thompson Clark.
Susan Rasmussen, Director of Transportation and Environmental Planning at Cambridge Community Development discussed the benefits to Cambridge of this project and the City’s involvement in the planning process. Ned Coddy, Manager of Plan Development for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation, gave a presentation on the current planned route and the next steps necessary to bring this project to completion.
Thanks to the Marriott for hosting and to the City of Cambridge Community Development Department, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, MIT and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation for co-sponsoring. More information on the Urban Ring is available at http://theurbanring.com. Jeff Rosenblum from Cambridge Community Development is maintaining a list of people interested in updates on this project. Contact Jeff at jrosenblum@cambridgema.gov or by phone at (617) 349-4615.
For a listing of public meetings, visit the Public Meetings link or the Public Meeting Notices area of the City of Cambridge Web site.
