The Council met on Monday and had a very full agenda. Major items included the report from the Cambridge Nanomaterials Advisory Committee, funding for renovations of the high school and two re-zoning proposals. Look for information on other items in next week’s Update.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2008 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme.
We are currently developing the GAC program for the fall. Watch this space for details. We are also open to any suggestions for future events.
The Chamber is planning three morning Real Estate Roundtables for the fall. The tentative dates are September 10, October 15 and November 19. The September event will be a panel discussion on future development in Cambridge. The October program will focus on energy and the November event will likely focus on transportation. The Real Estate Roundtables are sponsored by Cambridge Savings Bank.
July 28, 2008 City Council Meeting
The Council received the report from the Nanomaterials Advisory Committee, discussed funding for renovations to the high school and passed authorization for additional funding to a second reading and discussed two zoning petitions, passing one to a second reading.
Nanomaterials Advisory Committee Report
City Manager Agenda Item 13 is a transmittal of the Report of the Cambridge Nanomaterials Advisory Committee (PDF file). The report recommends that the Cambridge Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) establish an inventory of facilities that manufacture, handle, process or store engineered nanoscale materials in the City. It further recommends that the City provide technical assistance to those working with these materials, provide information to residents on products containing nanomaterials, track research, regulations and best practices related to these materials, and report to the City Council every other year on the regulatory and safety landscape related to manufacture, use and investigation of these materials.
The Council accepted the report with little comment and placed the report on file. Councillor Davis, who filed the original order, said she was satisfied with the report. City Manager Healy stated that the report is balanced and the next steps will provide the City with a better idea of who does what in Cambridge. He also said that the LEPC has prepared the survey recommended in the report. Councillor Murphy said that the report reflects on the strengths of the Cambridge Public Health Department and the ability of the City to bring together “World Class” experts on the Nanomaterials Advisory Committee.
Having served on this Committee, I can report that the recommendations are based on a consensus of the members who participated fully in this process. The background information in the report is largely the work of the Cambridge Public Health Department and was not subject to significant review by the full Committee. The outcome is positive for the City, for residents and for those doing manufacturing, processing, research and development using nanotechnology in Cambridge. I also take this opportunity to thank Councillor Murphy for his kind words about the Committee, including, by association, dubbing me a World Class Expert.
There was a question about nanomaterials getting into the City water supply. The Manager stated that he did not know whether it is possible to test for nano, as the City had done for pharmaceutical products several months ago, but would look into it. It should be noted that Massachusetts strictly regulates industrial wastewater. The Council took no formal action regarding this request but this issue may come up again.
Authorization of Additional Funding for CRLS Renovation Project
City Manager Agenda Item 11 includes a request for authorization to borrow $30,135,000 in addition to $66,838,025 previously authorized for major renovations at Cambridge Rindge and Latin (CRLS) High School. The transmittal includes a report (click on view attached letter at the bottom of Agenda Item 11) itemizing cost estimates following completion of Design Development and identifies primary factors for increased costs. These include additional improvements and repairs identified during the design phase, energy efficiency improvements and increases in material costs.
During the Council discussion several Councillors asked about having local institutions or businesses pay some of the costs of the project and receiving naming rights. The City Manager expressed concern about the ability of the City to make such requests under State law. It should be noted that commercial property owners are responsible for 65% of Cambridge property tax revenue and will, through property taxes, be paying the majority of the costs for this project.
The Council passed the authorization on to a second reading and passed Policy Order 38 directing the Mayor and Vice Chair of the School Committee to work with the City Manager requesting that the local universities find a meaningful opportunity to significantly contribute to the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School renovations and asking that the reply to this request be reported back to the Council.
Zoning Petitions
Committee Report 6 is a communication from the Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee for a hearing on the zoning amendments proposed for the Ka Ya Restaurant site Porter Square. Committee Report 4 is a communication from the Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee for a hearing on Alexandria Properties proposed zoning amendments.
The Council passed to a second reading the proposed rezoning of the Ka Ya Restaurant site in Porter Square to allow for development of a small hotel. There was significant local support for the hotel project during public comment.
The Council held a thoughtful discussion regarding the Alexandria project. Issues raised included the role of retail in the development and how this project will bring positive additional activity in the neighborhood.
A troubling issue that has arisen regarding this proposal is that some opponents of this project, ignoring the significant regulatory structure the City has put in place since the 1970s to both allow for the life science work and the City’s encouragement of the growth of this industry, are promoting concern related to the life science work that will be done in this development. One must assume that opponents raising these concerns are either uniformed or are using scare tactics to influence the public. In either case the impact of opposing this project based on uses already allowed, and heavily regulated, in Cambridge would send the wrong message to the community.
The Ordinance Committee has scheduled a hearing on August 14 at 4 p.m. on the Alexandria proposal.
