Cambridge Highlands Neighborhood Association

A multi-year project to re-examine Middlesex County flood zones and develop detailed, digital flood hazard maps has been completed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The proposed new maps, also known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), reflect current flood risks, replacing maps that are more than 25 years old.

Some parcels in the Alewife area have been mapped into a higher risk zone, known as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), and other parcels have been mapped into a lower risk zone. Depending on where you live, you may be required to purchase flood insurance or your current flood insurance may become optional. It is important that you contact your insurance agent and discuss the pending changes. Lower-cost “grandfathering” options may be available, if you act before the maps become effective (proposed June 2009). Maps can be viewed at www.cambridgema.gov/TheWorks/stormwater, in the city clerk’s office at 795 Mass. Ave., and at the Department of Public Works at 147 Hampshire St. If you feel there has been an error, you can file a protest or appeal.

The maps that were just released are still known as preliminary. A public comment period is running through Sept. 10. This is a time when citizens will have the opportunity to submit technical and/or scientific data to file a protest regarding their individual property, or an appeal regarding the accuracy of the mapping process in general.

If you plan on filing an appeal, FEMA has requested that all appeals be submitted through the community. You should submit your appeal before Sept. 3 to ensure they are received by FEMA before its deadline. Four copies of the appeal and supporting documents should be submitted to: Owen O’Riordan, City Engineer, Department of Public Works, 147 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 02139.

Cambridge Department of Public Works is available to assist residents one-on-one and provide information at 147 Hampshire St. or by calling Catherine Daly Woodbury at 617- 349-4818.

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A West Cambridge developer recently solidified plans to knock down Faces, the long-abandoned nightclub off Route 2, to clear the way for an apartment complex near the Alewife T station.

The developers, The McKinnon Co. and Waltham-based Criterion Development Partners, have proposed a four-story complex with about 240 units where Faces now stands. While the empty disco at 223 Concord Turnpike has been shuttered for over 18 years, officials rewrote zoning laws in 2001 to allow commercial and residential development in the surrounding area.

But some residents have concerns about the McKinnon/Criterion proposal.

“It’s a complicated urban planning (issue),” said Michael Brandon, clerk of the North Cambridge Stabilization Committee, a neighborhood advocacy group. He said an apartment building may exacerbate traffic problems along Route 2.

“It’s gridlocked for hours as it is,” Brandon said, adding that air quality may suffer from an influx of idling vehicles during rush hour.

Brandon cited additional concerns, including the site’s accessibility to the Alewife T station and its proximity to Alewife Reservation wetlands. His group remains undecided on the proposal.

The McKinnon Co. submitted a pre-application to city planners in May.

“It was a very preliminary application,” said Beth Rubenstein, assistant city manager for development. “(Planners) were just taking in all of the information.”

The McKinnon Co. and Criterion could submit a formal application in October. Public hearings would follow, with construction starting as early as next spring if the companies won approval.

Richard McKinnon, head of The McKinnon Co., said addressing environmental issues is a top priority for every project.

“To try to ignore environmental constituencies is just silly,” McKinnon said. He noted that his plan leaves the 100-foot buffer zone between Faces and the reservation untouched. Also, the law allows him to build a facility more than 90 feet tall, while he plans to build a 60-foot apartment site.

“That’s not because I’m a nice guy,” McKinnon said. “That’s because the price of steel and cement has skyrocketed.” Building a larger complex in the buffer zone would require more of both, he said.

McKinnon conceded that an apartment building would bring more traffic to the area. But an office complex would be worse, he said, because everyone using the facility would be driving during the commuter rush.

As for the T stop, McKinnon plans to connect the apartment building to a pathway leading to the Alewife station from Cambridge Discovery Park.

McKinnon will brief the neighborhood group on the project later this summer. He estimated construction costs at $75 million. The complex would have affordable housing units, as well as some “very nice” apartments.

“You wouldn’t compare it to the Ritz-Carlton,” McKinnon said. “But we’re planning on having the nicest apartments we’re able to build.”

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Below is a PDF copy of the Planning Board agenda for July 15, 2008.

agenda-july-15-2008.pdf

Here is the agenda for the above mentioned hearing date.

july-10-2008-board-of-zoning-appeal-agenda

With the warm summer weather arriving, Fire Chief Gerald Reardon and the Cambridge Fire Department wish to advise residents of the following fire safety items:

• Use of barbecue grills, hibachis, etc., are prohibited on rooftops, decks, porches and balconies in the city.
• When using an outdoor grill, keep it a safe distance away from a building.
• Never leave a burning grill unattended. Protect children from burning themselves.
• Be sure that any LP-Gas cylinders are less than 12 years old and are equipped with an overfill protection device.
• If using a charcoal grill, use only charcoal lighter fluid to start the coals. Never add fluid to the fire.
• Use extreme caution when refueling a gasoline-powered lawn mower. Let the mower cool before adding additional fuel.
• The possession and use of fireworks by private citizens is illegal in Massachusetts.
• In the event clothing catches on fire, stop, drop and roll to extinguish the fire.
• Cool a burn. For minor burns, run cool water immediately over the burn. Seek emergency medical help immediately for more serious burns.
• As always, periodically test your smoke detectors and practice escape routes with children.
• Post the phone number for the Poison Control Center near your phone: 800-222-1222.

For more information, visit the Cambridge Fire Department Web site at www.cambridgefire.org.

In this week’s edition of the Cambridge Chronicle, under car break-ins, there were three from the Highlands

June 21:   Normandy Avenue and Normandy Terrace

June 22:  South Normandy Avenue

We need to keep the neighborhood updated on all issues and would appreciate neighbors letting the rest of the neighborhood know about these issues through our communication media.

If anything happens, please forward a quick email to our webmaster Eric Welin at ewelin@welsolutions.com and copy Ann Tennis at jatennis@comcast.net.

Eric can forward this information to the entire neighborhood to keep all updated and vigilant on activities.

Also, we have an influx of new neighbors and would love to have them added to our list.   If you are presently on our mailing list and have a new neighbor, please ask them to forward their email addresses along with their physical addresses to both Eric and Ann so that they can start to receive neighborhood information.

Thank you

Cambridge Highlands Neighborhood Assoc

CHNA

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