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June 6, 2007 GAC Update
The City Council met on Monday and approved zoning changes requested by the developer of the planned performance arts center in Kendall Square, expressed their continued support for Chapter 40B of Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), opposed a bill to streamline Chapter 91 of the MGL, and passed an order opposing changes to the cable franchise regulations that remove municipal consent requirements.
The Chamber has two great events coming-up next week. Register now for the Health Insurance reform Forum next Tuesday and contact the Chamber if you are interested in attending Chamber State House Day next Wednesday.
The Chamber is looking for information about immigration reform issues important to Chamber members.
The Chamber met with representatives of the nanotechnology industry last week. If you would like more information about that meeting please e-mail Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org.
The Chamber is interested in input from members on proposed changes to the federal immigration laws. E-mail your comment to tsmith@cambridgechamber.org.
June 4, 2007 Cambridge City Council Meeting
The Council approved changes to the Zoning Code requested by Constellation Charitable Foundation, the developer of a planned performance arts center in Kendall Square. The Council also expressed its continued support for Chapter 40B of the MGL which is designed to increase the supply of affordable housing in all Massachusetts communities. The Council passed two orders opposing actions being considered by the State legislature including HB 847, An Act to Streamline Chapter 91 License Applications and Coastal Planning and any action that would eliminate the municipal consent process for competitive providers of cable television services.
Council Approves Zoning Changes Sought by Theater Developer
The Council received a report from the Ordinance Committee regarding changes to the zoning code requested by Constellation Charitable Foundation, owners of the property at 585 Kendall Street which is being developed as a performing arts center and voted to approve those changes.
The changes adds text identifying Performing Arts Center as a specific allowable use, defines the term Performance Arts Center, and adds a subsection which defines Gross Floor Area of a Performance Arts Center in the PUD-3 District. The definition s limited to publicly accessible space measured from interior walls.
The Ordinance Committee Report is available at Committee Report 2.
Council Continues Support of 40B
Chapter 40B of Massachusetts General Laws allows developers to bypass certain local zoning requirements when developing affordable housing in communities where less than 10% of housing is defined as affordable. This law has been controversial for many years and recently the Town of Walpole sent a letter to the Cambridge City Council requesting the Council’s support for suspension of MGL 40B. The Council instead passed an order expressing continued support for MGL 40B. A copy of the City Council order is available at Policy Order 18.
Council Opposes Changes to Chapter 91 and Cable Franchising
The Council passed two orders opposing actions being discussed in the State Legislature.
The Council voted to express opposition to House Bill 847 An Act to Streamline Chapter 91 License Applications and Coastal Planning. This is not the bill filed by the Governor in response to the recent Supreme Judicial Court decisions regarding the development at NorthPoint and development at similar properties across the state. A copy of the Council Order is available at Calendar Item 5. A copy of the proposed state law (as a PDF) is available at HB 847. This order was first submitted for the March 5, 2007 Council meeting, was tabled by use of the Charter Right at that meeting and tabled by the Council at the March 19 meeting.
The Council also voted to opposes any changes in state law that eliminates the municipal consent process for competitive providers of cable television services. A major telecommunication company is seeking a change in law to allow for a statewide approval of cable franchises. Under existing law each community reviews and approves any cable franchise operating within municipal boundaries. A copy of the Council order is available at Policy Order 6.
Immigration Reform
As you know the US Senate is considering legislation to reform current immigration laws. Issues related to the current regulations have been raised over the last couple of years by Chamber members to staff. If you have particular concerns or ideas please forward them to Terrence F. Smith, Director of Government Affairs at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org.
The Chamber has not taken any position on this issue and may not take a position but it will be helpful in discussions with elected officials and other business associations to have an idea what issues related to this legislation are important to our members. All responses will be held in confidence.
