Harvard Square Advisory Committee

Description

The Harvard Square Advisory Committee reviews and comments on land use and development proposals in the Harvard Square Overlay District per the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance (Section 20.54).  The Committee conducts Large Project Review consultations and comments on applications for variances and special permits from the Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA), as well as other proposals.  The Committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month or on an as-needed basis. Harvard Square Advisory Committee meetings are also listed on the citywide Calendar of Events.

View the Harvard Square Overlay District zoning map: https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/CDD/Maps/Zoning/cddmap_zoning_overlay_harvard_202102.pdf

View the current membership of the Harvard Square Advisory Committee on the Open Meeting Portal: https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Board/1127-Harvard-Square-Advisory-Committee.

Meeting Dates, Materials, and Committee Reports

PLEASE NOTE:  Unless otherwise stated, meetings will be held remotely in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023 adopted by the Massachusetts General Court and approved by the Governor. Members of the public can attend the meeting virtually through Zoom Webinar. Members of the public can also provide comments in writing or via email before the meeting.

Meeting Date Meeting Materials Meeting Report
March 6, 2024

1 Brattle Square (Van Leeuwen Ice Cream) - BZA Special Permit Application

12-30 Palmer Street Project Informational Presentation

Discussion of HSAC Proceedures and Communications

 
January 17, 2024

1350 Massachusetts Avenue - BZA Special Permit Application Antenna

Continuation of the Discussion on Opportunities and Challenges to Pedestrianization in Harvard Square

November 29, 2023

Harvard Square Walking Tour

 
September 20, 2023

1430 Massachusetts Avenue - BZA Special Permit Application Antenna

Continuation of the July 13th and August 16th Discussion on Opportunities and Challenges to Pedestrianization in Harvard Square

August 16, 2023

65 JFK Street and 61 Church Street (Dunkin Donuts) - BZA Special Permit Application

Continuation of the July 13th Discussion on Opportunities and Challenges to Pedestrianization in Harvard Square

 
 

July 13, 2023
Discussion of Opportunities and Challenges to Pedestrianization in Harvard Square

 N/A

February 15, 2023
1380 Mass Ave (Blank Street Coffee) - BZA Special Permit Application

Discuss Committee Procedure for Minutes and Documentation

November 16, 2022
Zoning Petition Update – Blier et. al. Zoning Petition

October 13, 2022 - CANCELLED
Harvard Square Walking Tour
N/A
September 21, 2022
Chair Election
N/A
August 17, 2022
18 Brattle Street (CAVA) - BZA Special Permit Application

May 18, 2022
54 JFK Street (Moge Tee) - BZA Special Permit Application

50 Church Street (Gong Cha) - BZA Special Permit Application

57 JFK Street ("Crimson Galeria") - Planning Board Special Permit Application

April 20, 2022
General Business 
N/A
January 19, 2022
81-93 Mt. Auburn Street ("The Garage") - Planning Board Special Permit Application
December 1, 2021 - Joint Meeting with CSAC
Resilient Cambridge Plan Presentation

• Meeting Agenda

Resilient Cambridge Plan

• Resilient Cambridge Plan Presentation

N/A
November 17, 2021 - CANCELLED

N/A N/A

October 20, 2021
5 Bennett Street (Charles Hotel) - Variance Application

Retail and Home Occupations Zoning Amendments Presentation

• Meeting Agenda

• 5 Bennett Street Application Materials

• Ordinance 2021-3

• Ordinance 2021-4

• Retail Zoning Presentation

September 30, 2021
98 Winthrop Street - Cannabis Retail Store Special Permit Application

• Meeting Agenda

98 Winthrop Street Application Materials

August 26, 2021
2 Bennett Street - Exterior Improvements

Cambridge Demographics Presentation

• Meeting Agenda

• 2 Bennett Street Application Materials

• Cambridge Demographics Presentation

July 15, 2021
General Business

Meeting Agenda

• Member Orientation Presentation

N/A

May 27, 2021 - CANCELLED
2 Bennett Street - Exterior Improvements

N/A N/A

April 29, 2021
1290 Massachusetts Avenue - Financial Institution Frontage Special Permit Application

Palmer Street Improvements Presentation

• Meeting Agenda

• 1290 Massachusetts Avenue Planning Board Application Materials

1290 Mass Ave Applicant Presentation

• Palmer Street Improvements Presentation

March 2, 2021
57 JFK Street - Cannabis Retail Store Special Permit Application

• Meeting Agenda

57 JFK Street Planning Board Application Materials

57 JFK Street Applicant Presentation

October 2, 2019 
A&T JCuisine - 57 JFK Street - Special Permit Application 
Kung Fu Tea - 1160 Mass Ave - Use Variance
Meeting Notice
A&T JCuisine BZA Application
Kung Fu Tea BZA Application
May 7, 2019 
31 Church Street - Special Permit Application 
Adult Use Marijuana Retail Store 
Meeting Notice
April 11, 2019 
PB296 Special Permit Amendment - 57 JFK Street

• Meeting Notice
PB296 Special Permit Amendment Application
 February 19, 2019
Dig Restaurant - 45 Dunster Street/85 Mt. Auburn Street
Meeting Notice
Dig Restaurant BZA Application
 October 9, 2018
Veggie Grill - 57 JFK Street
Meeting Notice
Veggie Grill BZA Application
 April 11, 2018
Shiru Cafe - One Brattle Square
Meeting Notice
Shiru Cafe BZA Application
One Brattle Square Existing Conditions
One Brattle Square Plans and Elevations
 January 29, 2018
Agenda  
 December 20, 2017
Abbot Buildings - 1-7 & 9-11 JFK Street
 Agenda 
• Abbot Building Planning Board Submission 1/2
• Abbot Building Planning Board Submission 2/2
 October 23, 2017
Bon Me - 1350 Massachusetts Ave
Pavement Coffeehouse - 1350 Massachusetts Ave
• Meeting Notice
• Bon Me BZA Application
• Pavement Coffeehouse BZA Application
 September 26, 2017
Salt and Olive - 1160 Massachusetts Ave
Swiss Bakers - 1350 Massachusetts Ave
• Meeting Notice
• 1160 Massachusetts Ave BZA Application
• 1350 Massachusetts Ave BZA Application
 July 10, 2017
Zambrero - 71 Mt. Auburn Street
&pizza - 8 Brattle Street
• Meeting Notice
• 71 Mt. Auburn BZA Application
• 71 Mt. Auburn BZA Application Additional Supporting Statement
• 71 Mt. Auburn Plans 
• 8 Brattle St BZA Application #2
• 8 Brattle St Plans and Elevations
 May 23, 2017
1158-1160 Massachusetts Ave
• Meeting Notice
• BZA Application
• Plans 
 April 19, 2017
&pizza - 8 Brattle St
Order (on exempting rooftop spaces)
• 8 Brattle St - Meeting Notice
• 8 Brattle St - Revised Plans 
• City Council Petition to Exempt Rooftop Spaces from FAR by PB Special Permit
 March 22, 2017
29 Church Street
8 Brattle Street
• 29 Church St - Meeting Notice
• 29 Church St - BZA Application
CANCELLED
• 8 Brattle St - Meeting Notice
• 8 Brattle St - BZA Application
CANCELLED; WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN APRIL
CANCELLED
 February 15, 2017
98 Winthrop Street
40 Bow Street
• Meeting Notice
• 98 Winthrop St - Healthy Pharms, Inc. Special Permit Application 
• 40 Bow St - BZA Application
 January 9, 2017
Antenna Installation - 51 Brattle Street
IMA Pizza - 1-3, 8 Brattle Street
• Meeting Notice
• 51 Brattle Street Plans - WILL BE HEARD
• 1-3, 8 Brattle Street BZA Special Permit Application - CANCELLED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED
 April 26, 2016
Antenna Installation - One Brattle Square
• CANCELLED
• One Brattle Square Antennas BZA Application
CANCELLED
 February, 22, 2016
39 JFK Street
Sweetgreen Restaurant
• Meeting Notice 
• 39 JFK Street Sweetgreen Restaurant BZA Application 
 January 4, 2016
2 Arrow Street
Baobao Restaurant
• Meeting Notice 
• 2 Arrow Street BZA Application
• Baobao Restaurant BZA Application
 August 17, 2015
14 Arrow Street
• Meeting Notice
• Plan and Photographs 
• BZA Application
 August 3, 2015
28 JFK Street
• Meeting Notice 
• Floor Plan
• BZA Application 
• Historical Commission Application
 June 22, 2015
81-93 Mt. Auburn Street
16-18 Eliot Street
• Meeting Notice 
• 81-93 Mt. Auburn Street BZA Application 
• 81-93 Mt. Auburn Street Floor Plan 
• 81-93 Mt. Auburn Street Storefront Photo 
• 16-18 Eliot Street BZA Application 
• 16-18 Eliot Street Historical Commission Certificate of Appropriateness 
• 16-18 Eliot Street Plans
 June 10, 2015
1350 Massachusetts Avenue
• Agenda
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 0
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 1
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 2
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 3 
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 4 
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 5
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 6
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 7
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 8 
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Part 9
• 1350 Massachusetts Avenue BZA Application Appendix
 January 27, 2014
11 Dunster Street
• Agenda 
• 11 Dunster Street BZA Application 
• 11 Dunster Street Plans
November 15, 2012
57 JFK Street
Agenda

 

Harvard Square Documents and Information

Harvard Square Conservation District and Neighborhood Conservation Districts

The Harvard Square Conservation District is distinct from the Harvard Square Overlay District and is administered by the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Neighborhood conservations districts, or NCDs, recognize the particular design qualities of distinctive neighborhoods and encourage their protection and maintenance. NCDs located in or near the Harvard Square Overlay District include the Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District and the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District.

For More Information

For more information about the Harvard Square Advisory Committee, please contact Mason Wells by email at mwells@cambridgema.gov or by phone at 617.349.9794.

• Agenda
• Agenda
• Agenda