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April 26, 2006 Update
The City Council met on Monday in a meeting that, for recent times, bordered on a marathon beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending just past 10:30 p.m. The Council received the City budget, voted down a zoning petition, and passed orders regarding public input at the Planning Board, City oversight of large parcels of land that have the potential for redevelopment and a number of orders related to traffic, transportation, and the Urban Ring. The Council also heard a presentation, during public comment, by a company that would like to operate amphibious tours through Cambridge.
The Chamber submitted a letter to the Ordinance Committee regarding the proposed rezoning of the Concord-Alewife area.
I have scheduled a June GAC meeting and luncheon. Our guest will be State Representative Marty Walz who will present practical, easy-to-understand information on how the recently passed State health care law will affect employers, both large and small, and how employers should begin planning for its implementation in 2007. Rep. Walz is also an employment attorney with the firm of Littler Mendelson, P.C. The firm specializes in employment and labor law and is a Chamber member located in Boston.
A reminder that the City is taking nominations for the 2006 GoGreen Business Awards and is seeking businesses to participate in the Climate Leader program.
April 24, 2006 City Council Meeting
The Council received the City budget, voted down a zoning petition, and passed orders regarding public input at the Planning Board, City oversight of large parcels of land that have the potential for redevelopment and a number of orders related to traffic, transportation, and the Urban Ring. he Council also heard a presentation, during public comment, from representatives of Nautica Tours regarding the company’s plans for amphibious tours through Cambridge. This company has previously been denied a Jitney License by the License Commission.
2006-2007 Budget Proposal
The Council received the City Manager’s proposed budget for FY 2007, the period from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. The proposed operating budget of $395 million represents an increase of 3.8% from the current year. The major factors in the increase are salary, employee health insurance, employee pension costs, MWRA and state assessment, debt service, and energy costs. Employee salaries and benefits are the single largest cost to the City and the Manager’s Budget Message notes that the City has reduced 30 full-time positions since 2003. The FY 07 budget will require a 5.5% increase in the tax levy. The actual impact on individual property tax assessments will not be known until the fall.
The three areas funded the most under the budget are education, $125.4 million, public safety, $84 million, and Community Maintenance and Development, $82.5 million. The budget also includes $11.3 million in capital expenditures. The City Council’s Finance Committee begins budget hearings begin next week.
The City has posted the budget on PDF form at http://www.cambridgema.gov/CityOfCambridge_Content/documents/FY07_Submitted_Budget_3.pdf
Marino Restaurant Rezoning Petition Fails
The Council had on the agenda a petition to rezone the site of the Ristorante Marino on North Massachusetts Avenue from Business C-1 to Business A-2. The petition, a refiling of a petition that had previously expired, was opposed by the only affected property owner, which required the vote of seven members to pass. Councillor Kelly asked for a vote on adoption without discussion. Ordination failed on a vote of five in favor, three against, with one member absent. The petition did not expire until June 13 so it was surprising that this matter was acted on at Monday’s meeting.
More Public Input at Planning Board?
The Council passed an order requesting a progress report a progress report on amending the Zoning Ordinances and the Planning Board procedures. The two issues addressed in the order are requirements for developers to hold a community meeting before presenting a significant project to the Planning Board and requirements that the Planning Board provide an opportunity for input after significant changes have been made to project proposals. The order is available at http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityClerk/PolicyOrder.cfm?item_id=12784
Community Development Department Oversight of Potential Redevelopment Sites
The Council passed an order, which was drafted during a meeting of the Neighborhood and Long Range Planning Committee asking the Community Development to be proactive in identifying large single ownership parcels of land that have the potential for extremely different redevelopment. The order is available at http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityClerk/PolicyOrder.cfm?item_id=12830
Traffic, Transportation and the Urban Ring
The Council received reports from a joint meeting of the Council’s Health and Environment and Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committees called to discuss the Urban Ring project a meeting of the Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee called to discuss the Police Departments traffic enforcement plan, and a meeting of the Ordinance Committee regarding amendments to the Ordinance with regards to yards, open space, parking and special permit criteria for the redevelopment of existing buildings.
A number of orders came out of these hearings. Significant orders include more community information and input into the Urban Ring process, better education of incoming college students about bicycle laws and regulations, and requests for information regarding proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance including a cost estimate of increasing the required parking for residential units from 1.3 spaces per unit to two spaces per unit.
Copies of the reports are available at http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityclerk/CommitteeReports.cfm
Copies of the Orders, numbers 48-52, are available at http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityclerk/PolicyOrderList.cfm
Nautica Tours
Nautica Tours applied to the License Commission in 2005 to operate tours using an amphibious vehicle in Cambridge. The License Commission denied that request and the License Commissions report was put on the Table in April of 2005. On Monday representatives of Nautica Tours gave a presentation, in three minute segments as allowed for public comment, to the Council about their proposed tours and the company. The Council passed an order encouraging Nautica Tours to reapply to the License Commission and to take full advantage of opportunities to discuss the proposed tours with Commission staff.
A copy of the order is available at http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityclerk/PolicyOrder.cfm?item_id=12858
Concord-Alewife Ordinance Committee Hearing
The Ordinance Committee has scheduled a public hearing on the Concord-Alewife rezoning for tonight, Wednesday, April 26 at 5:30 p.m. The Chamber has submitted a letter supporting the goals and vision included in the Concord-Alewife Planning study but opposing the proposed reduction in FAR. The Chamber’s concern is that the reduction in FAR will limit the possibility that the goals included in the Plan will be met. Please e-mail tsmith@cambridgechamber.org if you would like a copy of the letter.
The Ordinance Committee has scheduled three meetings other meetings regarding Concord-Alewife. On Wednesday May 17 at 6:30 p.m. the Ordinance Committee will hold a public meeting to discuss FAR, traffic and transfer of development rights relative to the Concord Alewife rezoning and on Wednesday, May 31 at 5:30 p.m. the committee wild hold a public meeting to discuss environmental and infrastructure issues relative to the Concord Alewife rezoning petition. On Wednesday June 14, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. the Committee will hold a working committee meeting with no public comment.
GoGreen Award Nominations and Climate Leader Program
The City is seeking participants for the Cambridge Climate Leader program and nominees for the annual GoGreen awards. The awards event is scheduled for Thursday June 8, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway. Climate Leader participants will also be recognized at the awards event. The City is also offering technical assistance to businesses and organizations that join Climate Leader and has retained ICF Consulting to provide technical assistance on energy and assistance on transportation and waste management.
For more information about the GoGreen Awards please go to http://www.cambridgema.gov/~CDD/et/ggm/index.html.
For more information about the Climate Leader Program please go to http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/et/env/climate_leader.pdf.
For more information about the City of Cambridge’s Climate Protection initiatives please go to http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/et/env/climate/climate.html#new.
