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Housing Development Process Illustration Description

Overview

This illustration shows the different phases of the Housing Development Process in Cambridge, MA. It uses a horizontal timeline structure to show the types of permits, review processes, and public participation opportunities during each stage of development. The five stages featured are:

  1. Site Selected
  2. Demolition Process
  3. Design & Review Process
  4. Construction Process
  5. Housing Opens

Underneath the Demolition, Design & Review, and Construction process stage heading are lists of permits and reviews involved in that stage. Each item is tagged with the at least one of the following:

  • Required for All Projects
  • Required for Some Projects
  • Space for Public Participation

Permit and Review Items

Demolition Permit

This group spans the first three-quarters of the "Demolition Process" section of the timeline. The Demolition Permit is tagged as being "Required for All Projects." The review items included in this permit are:

  • Administrative Review ("Required for All Projects")
  • Historical Review ("Required for Some Projects" and has "Space for Public Participation")

To the right of the Demolition Permit group, underneath the Design and Review Process timeline section, is a note that reads: "The Design & Review Process may happen before, during, or after demolition."

Building Permit

This group spans the beginning of the "Demolition Process" section to the end of the "Design & Review Process" section. The Building Permit is tagged as being "Required for All Projects." The review items included in this permit are:

  • Administrative Review ("Required for All Projects")
  • Public Advisory Review ("Required for Some Projects" and has "Space for Public Participation")
  • Board & Commission Approval ("Required for Some Projects" and has "Space for Public Participation")

Construction Management Plan

This item is included at the start of the "Construction Process" section. It is tagged as being "Required for All Projects."

Certificate of Occupancy (IS Review)

This item is included at the end of the "Construction Process" section, right before the "Housing Opens" section. It is tagged as being "Required for All Projects."

Other Notes

Neither the "Site Selected" or "Housing Opens" timeline sections have featured permit or review items below them.

Illustration Style

This graphic features minimalist line drawings with selective coloring. The titles for the five development stages span horizontally across the middle of the graphic separated by colored arrow blocks in the background. Underneath the titles line are the different permits and review items described earlier. Above the title lines are simple line illustrations that represent each development stage. The graphics for each corresponding stage are:

  1. Site Selected: A red "For Sale" sign rising above a green bush.
  2. Demolition Process: A dark-yellow excavator construction vehicle in front of a light-yellow arched background.
  3. Design & Review Process: A white paper blueprint with a green triangle square rule and geometry compass in front of a light-green arched background.
  4. Construction Process: A cement mixer with a blue barrel in front of a light-blue arched background.
  5. Housing Opens: A six-story apartment building with purple facing next to a three-story house with a purple roof.
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