October 18, 2006 GAC Update
The Council met on Monday and will meet at 4:30 next Monday in a Roundtable Meeting to hear a presentation and discussion on the results of the 2006 Citizen Satisfaction Survey in City Hall, Sullivan Chamber. At 6:30 the same evening Council’s Government Operations and Rules Committee will hold a public forum for community prioritization of City Council goals at the Citywide Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue.
GAC members are reminded that we are looking for volunteers to join a number of sub-committees proposed at the September 26 GAC meeting. To volunteer or for more information please e-mail Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phone (617) 876-4213.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2006 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.
Robert Culver Addresses October GAC/Executive Speaker Luncheon
MassDevelopment President and CEO Robert Culver will discuss MassDevelopment’s efforts to spur economic growth in the Commonwealth, MassDevelopment’s work in Cambridge, and the latest on the new Bristol-Myers Squibb pharmaceutical manufacturing facility and other developments at Devens. The Luncheon will be held on Tuesday October 24, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge, 575 Memorial Drive, Cambridge.
Start Time: 11:30 a.m.
End Time: 1:30 p.m.
Members: $40.00, Non-members: $80.00
Prices require registration and payment at least two business days in advance.
$10 additional thereafter.
Find out more at: www.cambridgechamber.org/involved/viewevent.html?id=159
Congressman Capuano to Address November GAC Meeting
Congressman Michael Capuano will be our guest at the November GAC meeting. The Best Western Hotel Tria will host the meeting at noon on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 The Hotel Tria is located at 220 Alewife Brook Parkway. The Tria offers slightly more space than is available at the Chamber’s Conference Room but space is still limited so RSVP early for this meeting by e-mail at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phoning 617-876-4213.
October 16, 2006 City Council Meeting
Monday’s meeting included a report on the City’s efforts regarding an overall marketing plan for Harvard Square, and ordination of a change to the zoning ordinance amending criteria for Approval of a Special Permit when non-residential buildings are converted to residential use. The Council also heard that the negotiations between the Cambridge Multicultural Arts center and the Dance Complex had been successfully concluded and approved a curb cut on Hilliard Street. I mention the last two items only because they have been discussed extensively at the past several Council meetings.
Report on Harvard Square Marketing Campaign
The Council received a report from the City Manager regarding marketing Harvard Square. The report describes the work the City has been involved in over the past year concerning ways to improve Harvard Square and improve its long-term economic viability. The report notes that marketing and branding is one aspect of that effort. A copy of the report is available at City Manager Report 4.
Zoning Ordinance Change
The Council passed an amendment to Section 5.28.27 Criteria for Approval of Special Permit when non-residential buildings are converted to residential use. The changes allow the Planning Board to consider abutter privacy when reviewing developer plans and allows the Planning Board to require an analysis of the impact of a development on on-street parking. A copy of the Ordinance Committee Report is available at http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityClerk/CommitteeReport.cfm?instance_id=309.
