A communication was received from Councillor Dennis Carlone transmitting recommendations regarding the Alewife …

Cambridge City Councillor

Attached is a copy of the December 2018 design review comments and recommendations regarding the Envision illustrated plan for the Quadrangle. This document highlights the plans missing elements that directly relate to the Council and surrounding neighborhood’s goals. It has been three years since this document was first released, and still no response or actual urban design plan has been prepared or discussed.

The approved Envision Policy Order was supposed to include planning policies and urban design solutions. A good urban design plan must include analysis, vision, implementation strategies and design guidelines – all unified to balance a design that integrates all actors’ needs.

The attached memo contains basic urban design principles, needs, and approaches based on known observations and many discussions.

Please respond to the content and realistic approach presented in this document and inform us as to what urban design progress has been achieved sine the Envision plan was last printed.

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Alewife Urban Design Presentation - Design Review Comments

Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebration Committee

Chair/Councillor Carlone Design Review Comments and Recommendations

INTRODUCTION

Recently the Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning* Committee met to review the City’s Envision Plan, including the proposed Alewife Urban Design Plan. Any urban design plan, and its resulting build-out, affects the entire city and region. Just as we should maximize all opportunities, we must also fully address any constraints.

My recommendations, found on pages 2-5, include specific design refinements and additions that will more directly reflect the City Council’s goals (highlighted below).

CITY COUNCIL GOALS, 2017-2021

1. Increase access to affordable housing for all income groups. 2. Ensure that Cambridge offers economic and educational opportunity [in particular Pre-Kindergarten programs] to all. 3. Deepen our commitment to sustainable use of energy and strengthen our capacity for resilience. 4. Expand and deepen community engagement [with necessary social infrastructure]. 5. Develop more proactive, inclusive, and transparent city planning process. 6.

Make it easy to move safely through the City, especially by sustainable modes of transportation. 7. Increase opportunities for all residents to enjoy the City’s open spaces. 8. Ensure that Cambridge remains an Innovation Hub that integrates businesses of all sizes into a thriving ecosystem. 9. Improve Council’s capacity to collaborate more effectively, make better decisions, and increase its accountability to the public. 10. Ensure City’s budget allocates resources responsibly and responsively. 11.

Ensure Public Safety efforts reflect current and emerging challenges and opportunities in a way that incorporates Cambridge’s core values. 12. Eliminate Bias within the City workplace and wider community.

* Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts, & Celebration Committee 3

Alewife Urban Design Presentation - Design Review Comments

Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebration Committee

Chair/Councillor Carlone Design Review Comments and Recommendations

Envision: Urban Form Recommendations Hearing November 29, 2018

Cambridge Community Development Urban Design Plan

OVERVIEW (CITY COUNCIL GOAL 5)

Community Development’s updated plan, a significant improvement over the previous Envision plan, incorporates many of the concepts highlighted by the Envision community process and several City Council public policies. However, there are unmet public policy issues and implementation aspects that need to be fully addressed, including the Quadrangle’s isolation, lack of social infrastructure, housing and transportation concerns, environmental needs, and more.