The goals of the rezoning recommendations are as follows: 1. Encourage housing as a predominant use in new development; 2. Create mixed-use districts close to transit infrastructure; 3. Reduce automobile trips from new development; 4. Increase public open space; 5. Create better transitions between residential and commercial areas; and 6. Create an urban environment that encourages pedestrian circulation, connections between neighborhoods, commerce, transit, and open space (including Charles River). Thus the 2001 petition proposes various zoning changes to achieve tighter conformity with neighborhood and citywide goals. The petition includes all proposed changes to the existing text and maps.
Eastern Cambridge Planning Study – The study identifies Amgen, Inc., Biogen, Inc., and Genzyme Corporation as three June 2000 - October 2001 firms producing five of the top ten biotech In September 1999 the citizens submit- products in the country (the products ar not ted a petition for an 18-month moratorium named in the study). This fact, coupled with on commercial development over 20,000 the proximity to MIT (large skilled workforce) square feet and residential development and transit opportunities to Boston and Longwood Medical Area (LMA), translates more than 20 units. Their concerns were: into low vacancy rates and very high rental rates and land prices. 1. Encroachment of commercial into residential areas; The study does not identify the Genzyme 2. Increasing traffic congestion; Center location as a “transition” area, so 3. Real estate price escalation; there are no direct recommendations for the 4. Inadequate public open space. proposed buildings. This study was produced by the City of Cambridge – the Cambridge Community Devel- The study proposes new street-level retail at opment Department and the Eastern Cam- the Genzyme Center site, and two adjacent bridge Planning Study Committee (ECaPS). lab buildings. It places an “activity generator” The rezoning petition was halted in order to across the street from the site, now the profind results of study, and a moratorium be- posed location of a performing arts center. gan in January 2000.
Right: The focus areas of the study are exemplary of the diverse nature of East Cambridge, a result of urban planning and infill beginning in 1830. Note how the central “transition area” envelopes the residential district: this swath is indicative of the old shoreline of Cambridge. Far right: The block patterns of the area , as expected, closely follow the diversity of focus areas. The superblock typology of the Genzyme Center site was to be addressed by Urban Strategies under the supervision of Lyme Properties.
North Point
East Cambridge Wellington/ Harrington
Transition Area
Area IV Kendall Square 0
Residential Neighborhoods
600
900
1200
scale in feet
Transition Area 2 Transition Area
Transitional Block
Volpe Site
Super Block New Block Pattern
North Point
Focus Areas
300
Residential Block
Block Pattern
Contextual information & early master plans
6