Newsletter #35 – Alewife Study Group

This ASG Newsletter includes the following updates:

Conservation Commission meeting today: IQHQ’s plans for Jerry’s Pond improvements
ASG Letter to ConCom for tonight’s meeting
Policy order on electric vehicles on Linear Park and other multi-use paths, at City Council tonight
Neighborhood: IQHQ restaurant variance granted by BZA
Discussion with a City official of the Mass Ave Planning Study, Thursday, February 15, 7:00 pm

Conservation Commission meeting today, February 12, 7:00 PM: IQHQ’s plans for Jerry’s Pond improvements

The City of Cambridge Conservation Commission (ConCom) will hold its 3rd meeting to review IQHQ’s proposal for improving Jerry’s Pond in North Cambridge. For information on the first two meetings, see ASG Newsletters #31 through #34.

ASG expects that today’s meeting with include:

More information from IQHQ about their plans, including changes they have made in response to comments from the City of Cambridge and community members
Questions from ConCom members to IQHQ
Public Comment
Discussion among ConCom members
A decision by ConCom to either approve IQHQ’s proposal or to continue the review at another meeting.

To download IQHQ’s February 2 response to written comments received before the January 22 ConCom meeting, click on the following link. Note that it expires on February 23.

20240202 Response to Comments Package

To register for tonight’s meeting, and to see the agenda, go to: ConCom February 12, 2024 meeting.

ASG Letter to Con Com for tonight’s meeting

Dear City of Cambridge Conservation Committee,

As you know, the Alewife Study Group (ASG) has been deeply involved in the three-year process to provide community input on the IQHQ development in North Cambridge, including improvements to the Jerry’s Pond area. See our January 22 letter for more information about our involvement, and for our comments on IQHQ’s Notice of Intent (NOI) application.

Based on the agreements we made last week, ASG is ready to support IQHQ’s revised NOI for Jerry’s Pond, once the recent agreements, listed below, are added to the NOI, either as ConCom orders of conditions, and/or by IQHQ amending their NOI documents.

Here is ASG’s understanding of these agreements in short form. For the original proposals, with reasons, see our January 22 letter.

Thank you for considering,
Alewife Study Group

Existing Ash trees along Rindge
- IQHQ will save the large multi-leader ash tree to the east, tree #675 in the tree inventory, with the understanding that the construction of the multi-use path could impact roots that stabilize the tree.
Trees on North Side of Rindge Ave
- IQHQ will propose street trees in the 2-foot utility buffer along the north side of Rindge Ave., for review and approval by DPW and the Conservation Director.
Amphitheater Seating along Rindge
- IQHQ will replace the proposed amphitheater seating with an ADA accessible ramp in approximately the same location.
Management of Invasive Plants:
- IQHQ will monitor and remove invasive plants in and near the scope of work for 5 years.
Timely and safe snow and leaf removal
- ASG is supportive of the additional details shared by IQHQ and has no further comments or conditions to propose.

Policy order on electric vehicles on Linear Park and other multi-use paths (from Cambridge4Trees newsletter)

New City Councillor Pickett together with Councillors Nolan, Toner, and (new) Wilson have a Policy Order up for vote today, February 12, which asks whether there can be speed limits and safety measures for these devices.

If you are concerned about the regulation of electric bikes and “micro-mobility devices”, email the council today, February 12, with your thoughts.

Note: residents used a “radar gun” in Linear Park with significant counts of speeds above 20mph and one even at 27mph!

To email the City Council:

To: council@cambridgema.gov
CC: cityclerk@cambridgema.gov, CityManager@cambridgema.gov
BCC: Cambridge4Trees@gmail.com
Subject: SUPPORT Electric Micro-mobility policy order
M. Clerk please enter this into the council record.
Tell the council what you think about speed limits etc. One sentence is OK! Be sure to include your street address

Neighborhood Update: IQHQ restaurant variance granted by BZA

On Thursday, February 8, IQHQ appeared before the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) petitioning the city for a 6,500 square foot restaurant. This request was in alignment with feedback ASG received showing the community wanted a food and beverage outlet that serves the public and IQHQ tenants.

All nine public comments were in favor of granting the variance to allow for a larger restaurant than the very small, to-go only size restaurant current zoning would require (1,200 square feet). The BZA unanimously approved the variance in alignment with the recommendations of the Cambridge Planning Board, which required the restaurant as a condition of their permit, including a commitment that the restaurant not have a storefront or signage on Whittemore Avenue.

Our understanding is that IQHQ is in the process of planning for the restaurant and will use the parking garage for any parking needs. ASG will continue to share additional details as we learn of them, and we welcome you to reach out to us if you have any concerns or ideas for this restaurant.

Discussion of the Mass Ave Planning Study with a city official
Thursday, February 15, 7:00 pm,
Hybrid: Lesley University Hall, Rm 2-078 and online by zoom

This meeting will be primarily among local neighbors with more opportunity to ask questions to a city planner compared to the City’s project webinar at the end of the month.

From the Porter Square Neighbors Association, portersquare.net:

The PSNA meeting, Feb 15, 7-9 pm, will feature Drew Kane, AICP, Senior City Planner, Cambridge Community Development Department, with an overview of the process.

“Mass Ave Planning Study: Mapping Our Future”

The Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS), spearheaded by the Cambridge Community Development Department, is creating a vision plan for what Massachusetts Avenue will look like in 2040 between Alewife Brook Parkway and Cambridge Common.

This plan is part of the implementation of Envision Cambridge, the City’s comprehensive plan, which calls for an increase of housing along major corridors and supporting a thriving local business community. Mass Ave is one of these corridors, as it serves as a hub for the city and connects many independently-owned businesses, neighborhoods, and institutions.

This plan will study various aspects such as land use, zoning, urban design, housing, climate resiliency, small business support, mobility, and public space. The team will work with the community to develop a shared vision to shape future development types and scales”

We meet at Lesley University Hall, Rm 2-078 and online. The zoom link will be posted soon.

Find info about the project at the City’s project webpage.

Reminder of a separate meeting: Mass Ave Planning Study – Community Meeting #1 February 29, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. Please register here in advance or go to https://cambridgema.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqdeytqjkqGNxUEKNTqybzja_ISwNYOL2X

Cambridge4Trees public meeting moved to March

Originally planned for this Thursday, February 15, the meeting will be rescheduled to sometime in March because of a conflict with the Mass Ave Planning Study meeting sponsored by the PSNA (see previous newsletter item).

For questions or concerns about impacts to our community from IQHQ construction, including from noise, vibrations, or fumes, please contact both ASG contact@alewife.org and IQHQ at 617-314-7252 or info@iqhqcommunityprocess.com

ASG Newsletter

ASG will send email updates about once a month during this busy time in the development of the IQHQ site.

Click here for previous ASG Newsletters

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Our mailing address is:
Alewife Study Group
20 Kassul Park
Cambridge, MA 02140-1637
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