On Friday October 29, the Historical Commission met on-site at St. James' Episcopal Church in order to review the condo project's landscaping plan and a mock-up of the condominium's colors and exterior materials. There wasn't much discussion. Only two members of the public spoke, both observing that the "courtyard" area between the condo and the church bears little resemblance to John Nolan's original design for the Knight's Garden. The church and the historical commission have worked out a letter of commitment to keep the courtyard open to the public. Discussion of building materials focused mainly on exactly which shade of brown to use for the condo windows.
Following the presentations, the historical commission voted to accept the materials and landscape plan, subject to staff review of any minor changes that may come up, and to grant a certificate of appropriateness. There was a further review scheduled for the next November 4 meeting but there seems to be nothing more for the commission to do regarding this project, and no significant regulatory hurdles left for the project.
PSNA is currently arranging a meeting between neighbors and Oaktree, Sasaki, and Metric Construction Corp, to go over open items including construction process and schedule, trees, fences, and other items. Stay tuned for the date and location of this meeting. The developers will also be contacting abutters to survey existing conditions in neighboring houses.
Approved
On July 1 the Cambridge Historical Commission granted a "Certificate of Appropriateness" to the project, based on an update from Sasaki/Oaktree on landscaping details and architectural materials, and a letter from Saint James Episcopal Church responding to financing questions and commitments. The board still wants to see the language in the letter tightened, and wants to see a full-scale mockup of the exterior materials to be used. Karen Klinger has posted a detailed review of the meeting on CCTV.
Conditional Approvals
During several continuations, the Cambridge Historical Commission approved the project in principle but continued the case until some conditions are met. Here are their initial letter of approval and their April 7 confirmation.
Submissions to the January 7 Cambridge Historical Commission
The main Powerpoint presentation is too long for this web site. You may be able to obtain a copy from the neighbors' Google group.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
7:30 p.m.
Second Floor Meeting Room, 344 Broadway
City Hall Annex – McCusker Building
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Update by Beth Rubenstein, Assistant City Manager for Community Development.
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. PB#241, 1991 and 2013 Massachusetts Avenue, Special Permit for 46 unit residential development and demolition and redevelopment of the existing St. James parish hall with ground floor retail. Oaktree Development, applicants. Deliberation and possible decision.
The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee of the Cambridge City Council will meet at 5:30 PM December 10 in the Senior Center Ballroom, 806 Massachusetts Avenue to discuss the current priority issues for the neighborhoods of the city.
It's a public meeting, so anybody can attend. I will be there on behalf of the Porter Square Neighbors Association, and will communicate the issues we developed at last week's meeting and subsequent email discussions.
PSNA has received a meeting notice from the Cambridge Historical Commission for a meeting on Thursday, December 3, 6:00 PM at the Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Mass Ave. Among the items to be considered are:
* Case L-73: Public hearing on a citizen petition to initiate a landmark study of Saint James Episcopal Church. (Presumably this is Jessica's petition.)
* Case D-1184/Case 1185: Proposed demolition of St. James's parish house, etc., and construction of new residential structure and parish house, in coordination with Oaktree Development.
Location: North Cambridge Senior Center, 2050 Massachusetts Avenue
Agenda
Election of Officers
St James Update
Neighborhood and Long Term Planning
Ears to the Ground
Election
We will elect officers for the coming year.
St James Update
John Armstrong will bring us up to date on what has happened with the Cambridge and Massachusetts Historical Commissions, and tell us about other new events and information.
The North Cambridge Senior Center will hold their Fall Bazaar this Saturday, November 14, from 10AM to 2PM. All are welcome!
Available will be handmade items, baked goods, white elephants, raffle tickets, and more. Raffle tickets are $1, with a discount for three or more. The drawing will be about 1PM. All proceeds benefit the Senior Center.
North Cambridge Senior Center
2050 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140-2048
(617) 349-6320
