Harvard Square Advisory Committee

Description

The Harvard Square Advisory Committee reviews and comments on land use and development proposals in the Harvard Square Overlay District per the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance (Section 20.54). The Committee conducts Large Project Review consultations and comments on applications for variances and special permits from the Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA), as well as other proposals. The Committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month or on an as-needed basis. Harvard Square Advisory Committee meetings are also listed on the citywide Calendar of Events.

View the Harvard Square Overlay District zoning map: https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/CDD/Maps/Zoning/cddmap_zoning_overlay_harvard_202102.pdf.

View the current membership of the Harvard Square Advisory Committee on the Open Meeting Portal: https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Board/1127-Harvard-Square-Advisory-Committee.

Meeting Dates, Materials, and Committee Reports

PLEASE NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, meetings will be held remotely in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023 adopted by the Massachusetts General Court and approved by the Governor. Members of the public can attend the meeting virtually through Zoom Webinar. Members of the public can also provide comments in writing or via email before the meeting.

Date	Materials	Report
February 19, 2025 29 Mt Auburn Street - BZA Signage Variance	Meeting Agenda 29 Mt Auburn Street (St. Paul's Parish) Materials
December 18, 2024 1 Brattle Square - BZA Special Permit Application Antenna	Meeting Agenda 1 Brattle Square (Antenna) Materials	1 Brattle Square (Antenna) Report
November 20, 2024 1350 Massachusetts Avenue (AT&T) - BZA Special Permit Application Antenna 1350 Massachusetts Avenue (Verizon) - BZA Special Permit Application Antenna Update on Net Zero Transportation Plan (NZTP)	Meeting Agenda 1350 Massachusetts Avenue (AT&T) Materials 1350 Massachusetts Avenue (Verizon) Materials	1350 Massachusetts Avenue (AT&T) Report 1350 Massachusetts Avenue (Verizon) Report
September 18, 2024 Update on Net Zero Transportation Plan (NZTP) Chair Election	Meeting Agenda
July 17, 2024 - ZOOM MEETING ONLY 5 JFK Street - BZA Special Permit Application Committee Appointment Process Update	Meeting Agenda 5 JFK Street (SoBol) Materials Announcement for HSAC Appointment Application	5 JFK Street (SoBol) Report
May 15, 2024 - ZOOM MEETING ONLY 1 Brattle Square (Chip City) - BZA Special Permit Application 9, 11A, and 11B Mount Auburn Street - BZA Variance and Special Permit Application	Meeting Agenda 1 Brattle Square (Chip City) Materials 9, 11A, and 11B Mount Auburn Street Materials	1 Brattle Square (Chip City) Report 9, 11A, and 11B Mount Auburn Street Report
March 6, 2024 1 Brattle Square (Van Leeuwen Ice Cream) - BZA Special Permit Application 12-30 Palmer Street Project Informational Presentation Discussion of HSAC Proceedures and Communications	Meeting Agenda 1 Brattle Square (Van Leeuwen Ice Cream) Materials	1 Brattle Square (Van Leeuwen Ice Cream) Report
January 17, 2024 1350 Massachusetts Avenue - BZA Special Permit Application Antenna Continuation of the Discussion on Opportunities and Challenges to Pedestrianization in Harvard Square	Meeting Agenda 1350 Massachusetts Avenue Materials	1350 Massachusetts Avenue Report
November 29, 2023 Harvard Square Walking Tour	20231129 HSAC Meeting Agenda
September 20, 2023 1430 Massachusetts Avenue - BZA Special Permit Application Antenna Continuation of the July 13th and August 16th Discussion on Opportunities and Challenges to Pedestrianization in Harvard Square	Meeting Agenda 1430 Massachusetts Avenue Materials Viewshed Rooftop	1430 Massachusetts Avenue Report
August 16, 2023 65 JFK Street and 61 Church Street (Dunkin Donuts) - BZA Special Permit Application Continuation of the July 13th Discussion on Opportunities and Challenges to Pedestrianization in Harvard Square	Meeting Agenda 65 JFK Street and 61 Church Street Materials	65 JFK Street and 61 Church Street Report 1996 BZA Special Permits - 65 JFK Street and 61 Church Street
July 13, 2023 Discussion of Opportunities and Challenges to Pedestrianization in Harvard Square	Meeting Agenda	N/A
February 15, 2023 1380 Mass Ave (Blank Street Coffee) - BZA Special Permit Application Discuss Committee Procedure for Minutes and Documentation	Meeting Agenda 1380 Mass Ave Materials Construction Plan Set Signage Plan BZA Application Ownership Information BZA Application November HSAC Draft Meeting Notes	Draft Meeting Minutes 1380 Mass Ave Report
November 16, 2022 Zoning Petition Update – Blier et. al. Zoning Petition	Meeting Agenda Blier et. al. Zoning Petition Text Link to existing Section 20.54.9 zoning text	Meeting Notes
October 13, 2022 - CANCELLED Harvard Square Walking Tour	Meeting Agenda Note: This is cancelled due to weather.	N/A
September 21, 2022 Chair Election	Meeting Agenda	N/A
August 17, 2022 18 Brattle Street (CAVA) - BZA Special Permit Application	Meeting Agenda 18 Brattle Street Application Materials Zoning Excerpts	18 Brattle Street Report
May 18, 2022 54 JFK Street (Moge Tee) - BZA Special Permit Application 50 Church Street (Gong Cha) - BZA Special Permit Application 57 JFK Street ("Crimson Galeria") - Planning Board Special Permit Application	Meeting Agenda 54 JFK Street Application Materials 50 Church Street Application Materials 57 JFK Street Application Materials	54 JFK Street Report 50 Church Street Report 57 JFK Street Report
April 20, 2022 General Business	Meeting Agenda HSAC Communication Agreement	N/A
January 19, 2022 81-93 Mt. Auburn Street ("The Garage") - Planning Board Special Permit Application	Meeting Agenda 81-93 Mt. Auburn Street Application Materials 81-93 Mt. Auburn Street Presentation	81-93 Mt. Auburn Street Report
December 1, 2021 - Joint Meeting with CSAC Resilient Cambridge Plan Presentation	• Meeting Agenda • Resilient Cambridge Plan • Resilient Cambridge Plan Presentation	N/A
November 17, 2021 - CANCELLED	N/A	N/A
October 20, 2021 5 Bennett Street (Charles Hotel) - Variance Application Retail and Home Occupations Zoning Amendments Presentation	• Meeting Agenda • 5 Bennett Street Application Materials • Ordinance 2021-3 • Ordinance 2021-4 • Retail Zoning Presentation	5 Bennett Street Report
September 30, 2021 98 Winthrop Street - Cannabis Retail Store Special Permit Application	• Meeting Agenda • 98 Winthrop Street Application Materials	98 Winthrop Street Report
August 26, 2021 2 Bennett Street - Exterior Improvements Cambridge Demographics Presentation	• Meeting Agenda • 2 Bennett Street Application Materials • Cambridge Demographics Presentation	2 Bennett Street Report
July 15, 2021 General Business	• Meeting Agenda • Member Orientation Presentation	N/A
May 27, 2021 - CANCELLED 2 Bennett Street - Exterior Improvements	N/A	N/A
April 29, 2021 1290 Massachusetts Avenue - Financial Institution Frontage Special Permit Application Palmer Street Improvements Presentation	• Meeting Agenda • 1290 Massachusetts Avenue Planning Board Application Materials • 1290 Mass Ave Applicant Presentation • Palmer Street Improvements Presentation	1290 Massachusetts Avenue Report
March 2, 2021 57 JFK Street - Cannabis Retail Store Special Permit Application	• Meeting Agenda • 57 JFK Street Planning Board Application Materials • 57 JFK Street Applicant Presentation	57 JFK Street Report
October 2, 2019 A&T JCuisine - 57 JFK Street - Special Permit Application Kung Fu Tea - 1160 Mass Ave - Use Variance	• Meeting Notice • A&T JCuisine BZA Application • Kung Fu Tea BZA Application	A&T JCuisine Report Kung Fu Tea Report
May 7, 2019 31 Church Street - Special Permit Application Adult Use Marijuana Retail Store	• Meeting Notice	Report
April 11, 2019 PB296 Special Permit Amendment - 57 JFK Street	• Meeting Notice • PB296 Special Permit Amendment Application	Report
February 19, 2019 Dig Restaurant - 45 Dunster Street/85 Mt. Auburn Street	• Meeting Notice • Dig Restaurant BZA Application	Report
October 9, 2018 Veggie Grill - 57 JFK Street	• Meeting Notice • Veggie Grill BZA Application	Report
April 11, 2018 Shiru Cafe - One Brattle Square	• Meeting Notice • Shiru Cafe BZA Application • One Brattle Square Existing Conditions • One Brattle Square Plans and Elevations	Shiru Cafe Report
January 29, 2018	• Agenda
December 20, 2017 Abbot Buildings - 1-7 & 9-11 JFK Street	• Agenda • Abbot Building Planning Board Submission 1/2 • Abbot Building Planning Board Submission 2/2	Abbot Buildings Report
October 23, 2017 Bon Me - 1350 Massachusetts Ave Pavement Coffeehouse - 1350 Massachusetts Ave	• Meeting Notice • Bon Me BZA Application • Pavement Coffeehouse BZA Application	Bon Me Report Pavement Coffeehouse Report
September 26, 2017 Salt and Olive - 1160 Massachusetts Ave Swiss Bakers - 1350 Massachusetts Ave	• Meeting Notice • 1160 Massachusetts Ave BZA Application • 1350 Massachusetts Ave BZA Application	Swiss Bakers Report
July 10, 2017 Zambrero - 71 Mt. Auburn Street &pizza - 8 Brattle Street	• Meeting Notice • 71 Mt. Auburn BZA Application • 71 Mt. Auburn BZA Application Additional Supporting Statement • 71 Mt. Auburn Plans • 8 Brattle St BZA Application #2 • 8 Brattle St Plans and Elevations	71 Mt. Auburn Report 8 Brattle St Report
May 23, 2017 1158-1160 Massachusetts Ave	• Meeting Notice • BZA Application • Plans	1158-1160 Massachusetts Ave Report
April 19, 2017 &pizza - 8 Brattle St Order (on exempting rooftop spaces)	• 8 Brattle St - Meeting Notice • 8 Brattle St - Revised Plans • City Council Petition to Exempt Rooftop Spaces from FAR by PB Special Permit	8 Brattle Street Report
March 22, 2017 29 Church Street 8 Brattle Street	• 29 Church St - Meeting Notice • 29 Church St - BZA Application CANCELLED • 8 Brattle St - Meeting Notice • 8 Brattle St - BZA Application CANCELLED; WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN APRIL	CANCELLED
February 15, 2017 98 Winthrop Street 40 Bow Street	• Meeting Notice • 98 Winthrop St - Healthy Pharms, Inc. Special Permit Application • 40 Bow St - BZA Application	40 Bow Street Report
January 9, 2017 Antenna Installation - 51 Brattle Street IMA Pizza - 1-3, 8 Brattle Street	• Meeting Notice • 51 Brattle Street Plans - WILL BE HEARD • 1-3, 8 Brattle Street BZA Special Permit Application - CANCELLED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED	1380 Massachusetts Avenue Report 51 Brattle Street Report
April 26, 2016 Antenna Installation - One Brattle Square	• CANCELLED • One Brattle Square Antennas BZA Application	CANCELLED
February 22, 2016 39 JFK Street Sweetgreen Restaurant	• Meeting Notice • 39 JFK Street Sweetgreen Restaurant BZA Application	39 JFK Street Report
January 4, 2016 2 Arrow Street Baobao Restaurant	• Meeting Notice • 2 Arrow Street BZA Application • Baobao Restaurant BZA Application	2 Arrow Street Report 25 JFK Street/Bao Bao Report
August 17, 2015 14 Arrow Street	• Meeting Notice • Plan and Photographs • BZA Application	14 Arrow Street Report
August 3, 2015 28 JFK Street	• Meeting Notice • Floor Plan • BZA Application • Historical Commission Application	28 JFK Street Report
June 22, 2015 81-93 Mt. Auburn Street 16-18 Eliot Street	• Meeting Notice • 81-93 Mt. Auburn Street BZA Application • 81-93 Mt. Auburn Street Floor Plan • 81-93 Mt. Auburn Street Storefront Photo • 16-18 Eliot Street BZA Application • 16-18 Eliot Street Historical Commission Certificate of Appropriateness • 16-18 Eliot Street Plans	16-18 Eliot Street Report
June 10, 2015 1350 Massachusetts Avenue	• Agenda • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 0 • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 1 • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 2 • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 3 • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 4 • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 5 • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 6 • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 7 • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 8 • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 9 • 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Appendix	1350 Massachusetts Avenue Report
January 27, 2014 11 Dunster Street	• Agenda • 11 Dunster Street BZA Application • 11 Dunster Street Plans	11 Dunster Street Report
November 15, 2012 57 JFK Street	• Agenda	57 JFK Street Report

Harvard Square Documents and Information

Harvard Square Conservation District and Neighborhood Conservation Districts

The Harvard Square Conservation District is distinct from the Harvard Square Overlay District and is administered by the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Neighborhood conservations districts, or NCDs, recognize the particular design qualities of distinctive neighborhoods and encourage their protection and maintenance. NCDs located in or near the Harvard Square Overlay District include the Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District and the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District.

For More Information

For more information about the Harvard Square Advisory Committee, please contact Mason Wells by email at mwells@cambridgema.gov or by phone at 617.349.9794.

• Agenda

Harvard Square Advisory Committee

Description

Meeting Dates, Materials, and Committee Reports

Harvard Square Documents and Information

Harvard Square Conservation District and Neighborhood Conservation Districts

For More Information

Zoning and Development