A zoning petition has been received entitled "Central Square Restoration Petition," to amend the Cambridge Zoning …

Central Square Restoration Petition

Introduction .,..;. .. --·' M·· '- · 0 r ~, ,., 01 . r o fo '" C)-1.~ _,. w ....... c::r -;: r ,I~ I'T'!~ w -1:.-0 0"\ --! ,_ .. Central Square has been the subject of many planning studies over the past four decades~' most, if not all, recommendations that have come from these studies have largely gone ignored or only partially implemented.

Central Square is a shadow of the commercial hub it once was and remains dismantled, an after effect of depression era politics that pushed some property owners to remove multiple stories from their buildings to alleviate tax burden. Today, the area remains the most talked about, the most studied, and least acted upon part of Cambridge. The petition presented aims to return Central Square to its former pre-depression era status and a place befitting its designation as a State Cultural District.

Thus the zoning recommendations herein aim to increase the potential for housing, expand the local retail footprint, enliven side streets, and activate the streetscape. The 1987 Action Plan is the current City Council adopted plan for Central Square. We believe it to be antiquated, largely unimplemented, and not sensitive to the needs of today.

Thus we have largely drawn zoning language and ideas from the last Cambridge study on Central Square; C2 (2013) and the Mayor's Red Ribbon Commission which concluded in 2011 . The C2 plan has been lauded by City Councilors, Planning Board, and residents. It is referenced in the current Zoning Ordinance as motivation behind the newly created and extremely exclusive Mass & Main Overlay district. It has been recognized by the Community Development Department as the plan for the area.

Thus we humbly submit this petition that will finally put action to word and restore Central Square.

Statement of Facts

I WHEREAS Inaction has left Central Square frozen without any reasonable potential development opportunity; and WHEREAS Housing is in limited supply and our Business Districts, especially Central Square, are the most logical choices to increase stock; and WHEREAS The financial climate is more favorable now or is ever likely to be again in the near or distant future to attain capital to revitalize the area; and WHEREAS The Cambridge Zoning Ordinance is extremely prohibitive in the Central Square Overlay; and WHEREAS The zoning recommendations herein represent and address those issues that had the most concensus of residents, Planning Board, and City Council; and WHEREAS The citywide master planning process is painfully slow and at least three years from being completed with absolutely no certainty of when the following zoning recommendations would be drafted or presented; and WHEREAS Central Square is in need of restoration.

To make it wait arbitrarily fqr another decade undermines the hard work, patience, desire, and unity the business owners, residents, and property owners have shown over 30 years to improve the condition of the area. NOW THEREFORE we the Undersigned respectfully petition the honorable City Council of Cambridge to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance by amending A1iicle 2.000 ("Definitions") and Article 20.300 ("Central Square Overlay District") to read as follows:

Suggested New Language for Article 2 (Definitions)

Formula Business. An individual Retail or Consumer Service establishment that is required by virtue of a contract, franchise agreement, ownership or other similar legal obligation to conform or substantially conform to a set of common design and operating features that serve to identify the establishment as one of a group of establishments for business, marketing and public relations purposes.

Specifically, an establishment shall be considered a Formula Business if it shares at least two (2) ofthe following three (3) characteristics with ten (10) or more other establishments in Massachusetts or with twenty (20) or more other establishments: 1. Trademark, service mark or logo, defined as a word, phrase, symbol, or design or combination thereof that identifies and distinguishes the source ofthe goods or services from others; 2.

Standardized building architecture including but not limited to fa<;ade design and signage; 3. Standardized color scheme used throughout the exterior of the establishment, including color associated with signs and logos.

Suggested New Language for Article 20.300 (Central Square Overlay District)

' 20.304.3 Floor Area Ratio Limitation. The maximum floor area ratio Floor Area Ratio (FAR) limitations established in the applicable base zoning district shall continue to apply to any lot in the Central Square Overlay District unless specifically modified by the following provisions: 1. As Of Right Limitation.

The maximum as ofright FAR shall be 3.0 in the Office 3 base zoning district for Residential Uses, Section 4.31 a-h, and 2.0 for all other uses; 4.0 for all Residential uses in the Business B base zoning district; and 2.0 in the Residence C-3 and Residence C-2A base zoning districts 4.

Additional FAR for Residential Uses Upon issuance of a special permit, the Planning Board may increase the allowed FAR on any lot or portion of a lot located within the Central Square Overlay District to a total FAR of 4.00 for all non-residential and residential uses combined, notwithstanding the Rules for Calculation of Permitted Gross Floor Area on a Lot as set forth in Section 5.30.12.

However, the maximum FAR permitted for non-residential uses on a lot shall not exceed the limitation on non-residential FAR applicable in the base zoning district. 5.

FAR Exemption for Residential Balconies Notwithstanding any other provision ofthis Zoning Ordinance, the Gross Floor Area of balconies, terraces, porches, stoops, or mezzanines on any floor of a structure that are accessory to residential uses and not exceeding five (5) feet in depth measured from the principal front wall plane of a building shall be exempted from the calculation of Gross Floor Area permitted on the applicable lot. 6.

FAR Exemption for Rooftop Spaces Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Zoning Ordinance, the Gross Floor Area of open-air spaces on the roofs of buildings, such as roof gardens, terraces, walk ways, including open or enclosed egresses, covered Staircase head-houses, or observation spaces shall be exempted from Gross Floor Area and FAR limitations upon the granting of a special permit by the Planning Board.

In granting the special permit, the Planning Board may place further requirements on the design or operational aspects of spaces exempted pursuant to this Paragraph, including hours of operation, range of activities permitted, signage, sound mitigation, or other measures to ensure that the use of the space is consistent with the intent of this Section. 7. FAR Exemption for Ground Floor Retail Retail spaces of 1,500 square feet or less shall be excluded from the calculation of floor area ratio. 20.304.5.

Use Limitations and Restrictions.