Ocotber 3, 2007 GAC Update   

The Council held a special roundtable meeting with the School Committee rather than a regular Council meeting this week. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for October 15.

The City Council Ordinance Committee has scheduled a joint working meeting with the Planning Board to discuss proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance requiring LEED certification for some most projects of 25,000 square feet or larger.  The Chamber will hold a GAC meeting and luncheon on this issue on Wednesday October 10 at noon.

On Tuesday October 16 the City Council Ordinance Committee will conduct

Attorney General Martha Coakley will address an October GAC/Executive Speaker luncheon on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.

Upcoming GAC Events

The 2007 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme.

Wednesday October 10, 2007
Special GAC Meeting on Proposed Green Building Requirements Amendment to Zoning Ordinance
The GAC will hold a special meeting to discuss the proposal to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance to require projects of 25,000 square feet or larger to meet certification requirements under the US Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Chamber’s response to this proposal. If you plan to attend please e-mail tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phone Terrence Smith at (617) 876-4213.

October 24, 2007
GAC Executive Speaker Luncheon
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley will address the Cambridge business community on her efforts to maintain and enhance a strong business climate in Massachusetts, including development of her Business, Technology & Economic Development Division.  She will discuss specific plans and coming efforts to ensure that Massachusetts continues to be a great place to do business and will address concerns affecting business such as cyber-security.
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge
40 Edwin Land Boulevard
Cambridge
Members: $40.00, Non-members: $80.00
Prices require registration and payment at least two business days in advance.
$10 additional thereafter
Registration and more information about our Speaker

November 27, 2007 TBA 

Joint Ordinance Committee Planning Board Meeting on LEED

The Chamber has been very active in the proposal to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance to require that developers of projects of 25,000 square feet or larger be certifiable under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The Chamber has presented comments to the Planning Board on September 4 and the Council Ordinance Committee on September 19.

The Planning Board recommended that the Council convene a Task Force to review a large number of issues related to this proposal.  Several members of the Council do not believe a task force is necessary.  They have specifically cited the work done by Mayor Menino’s Green Building Task Force in Boston.  The joint meeting on October 16^th has been called to address these issues.

The Chamber is interested in any comments, suggestions, etc. regarding the Chamber’s work to serve you as this issue moves through the City’s political and regulatory process as well as specific information about the Mayor Menino’s Green Building Task Force please pass that along.  Feel free to contact the Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs, at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or by phone at (617) 876-4213.

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