POR 2016 #145 · Agenda item attachment · May 23 2016

City of Cambridge O-6 ORIGINAL ORDER IN CITY COUNCIL May 23, 2016 COUNCILLOR DEVEREUX COUNCILLOR CARLONE WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the Council that the public noticing procedures for proposed building demolitions could be improved so that the public is more broadly aware; and WHEREAS: Currently when an application is received to demolish a structure that is 50 years old or older the Cambridge Historical Commission may elect to schedule a public hearing to solicit feedback from the community; and WHEREAS: When such a hearing is scheduled, it would be helpful to place a sign on the property for at least 2 weeks before the public hearing, and to mail a notice of the hearing and the plans for what is intended to replace the structure to the neighborhood association, to abutters and abutters of abutters, similar to the public noticing that is required for zoning variances and special permits; and WHEREAS: By posting a sign on the property and mailing a notice to the neighborhood association and all abutters, neighbors and community members who wish to provide public comment will be better informed; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Inspectional Services Department, the Historical Commission and other appropriate City departments to suggest ways to improve the public noticing of proposed building demolitions consistent with the outreach used for variances and special permits, and to report back to the Council in a timely manner.