Harvard Square Advisory Committee Hybrid Meeting

6:00 PM Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Location:
City Hall Annex
344 Broadway
2nd Floor Conference Room
Cambridge

Neighborhood:
Baldwin
Mid-Cambridge
Neighborhood Nine
North Cambridge
Riverside

Contact:
Mason Wells, mwells@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-9794

Harvard Square Advisory Committee

Meeting Agenda

March 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

@ City Hall Annex

344 Broadway

2nd Floor Conference Room

Cambridge, MA 02139

or Via Zoom

Application materials and general information about the Harvard Square Advisory Committee can be found on the following webpage: https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/advcomms/harvardadvcomm.

For more information, please contact Mason Wells, Associate Zoning Planner with the Cambridge Community Development Department, at 617-349-9794 or mwells@cambridgema.gov.

Project Review and Discussion

  • BZA Formula Business Special Permit Application – 1 Brattle Square (Van Leeuwen Ice Cream)

The Applicant is proposing an approximately 1,375 square foot retail ice cream shop in a portion of the vacant ground floor of the 1 Brattle Square building in Harvard Square. Fast Order/Quick-Service Food Establishments in the Harvard Square Overlay District require a special permit from the Board of Zoning Appeal if they are considered a Formula Business. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is a nationwide chain with over 50 retail locations. In considering applications for Special Permits for Fast Order or Quick-Service Food Establishments, the BZA shall find that in addition to other criteria specified in Zoning Section 10.40, that the requirements of Section 11.31(a)-(g) are also met.

General Business

  • 12-30 Palmer Street Project Informational Presentation

    Harvard University and the COOP are partnering on a redevelopment to 12-30 Palmer Street, a vacant space in the rear of the COOP building. The project team would like to have a preliminary discussion to introduce the project to the Committee and to get feedback as the design is in development. Project architects will give a summary presentation followed by a brief discussion.

  • Discussion of HSAC Procedures and Communications
  • Committee Member Updates

Hold for members of HSAC to share relevant information about Harvard Square.

 

Adjourn

 

PLEASE NOTE: Meetings will be in person with the option of virtual attendance through Zoom webinar. Members of the public can also provide comments in writing or via email before the meeting.

 

To join the Zoom webinar, click the following link: https: https://cambridgema.zoom.us/j/87628198789. Check your e-mail (including spam/junk folder) for confirmation. If you do not have a computer or e-mail address, you may attend via phone by dialing +1 646 931 3860

The webinar ID is: 876 2819 8789

The City of Cambridge will provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities upon request. Please make requests for alternative formats as soon as possible by contacting the staff listed above.