Board of Zoning Appeal Agenda

6:00 PM - 11:30 PM Thursday, April 16, 2026

Contact:
Olivia Ratay, Stephen Natola, Maria Pacheco -, oratay@cambridgema.gov, snatola@cambridgema.gov, mpacheco@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-6100

The Board of Zoning Appeal will hold a Virtual Public Meeting, THURSDAY – APRIL 16, 2026.

Members of the public can participate or view the meeting remotely using the Zoom Webinar link: https://cambridgema.zoom.us/j/85299551558 

Or join by phone: Dial +1 929 436 2866 or +1 301 715 8592 - Webinar ID: 852 9955 1558

 

"CLICK CASE NUMBER TO VIEW APPLICATION, PLANS & OTHER SUBMISSIONS"

 

6:00 P.M. CASE NO. BZA-1202049

1 MYRTLE AVENUE                                                                   Residence C-1 Zone

FAN WANG

Appeal:  The Applicant submitted a written request to the Cambridge Inspectional Services Department (“ISD”) pursuant to M.G.L. c.40A §7 requesting a zoning determination regarding the interpretation of several provisions of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as applied to the property located at 1 Myrtle Ave.

The request sought clarification as to whether the following elements of a proposed amendment to the building envelope are permitted by right under the ordinance:

  1. Application of the contextual front setback provision under Article 5.40 Footnote (3) to the subject corner lot
  2. Bay window projections into required yards under Section 5.24.1(f); and
  3. A vertical addition above an existing side wall under Article 5.40(4)(c).

ISD acknowledged receipt of the determination request but declined to issue a written zoning determination. During a meeting with ISD staff on March 10, the zoning inspector stated that:

  • the contextual front setback provision does not apply to corner lots because only one adjacent building exists along each street frontage; and
  • bay projections are limited to 25% of an exterior wall length, based on a prior Zoning Board decision.

ISD nevertheless declined to issue a formal written determination under M.G.L. c.40A §7.

This appeal is therefore brought pursuant to M.G.L. c.40A §§8 and 15 from the refusal of the zoning enforcement authority to issue a determination regarding the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.

Art. 5.000, Sec. 5.40 (Footnotes to Table of Dimensional Requirements (Footnote 3) – Contextual Setbacks. 

Sec. 5.24.1.f (Obstructions Allowed in Required Yards). – Bay Projections

Sec. 5.40.4.c (Side and Rear Yard Setbacks for Existing Buildings). – Vertical Addition

Art. 10.000. Sec. 10.20 (Appeal).

 

6:30 P.M. CASE NO. BZA-1202022

407 CONCORD AVENUE                                                             Residence C-1 Zone

SOHEIL FATHI

Variance: To increase indoor seating capacity and extend hours of operation that increases previously approved seating and hours under variance BZA-255390.

Art. 4.000, Sec. 4.35.o & Art. 11.000, Sec. 11.30 (Fast Order/Quick Service Food Establishment).  Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.30 (Variance).

 

6:45 P.M. CASE NO. BZA-1202871

10 GARDEN STREET                                                                     Residence C-2 Zone

PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE – C/O GABRIEL RAMOS, SENIOR CAMPUS  PLANNER

Variance:  To install two wall signs to Fay House that exceeds the allowable amount of signs conforming to this zoning district.

Art. 7.000, Sec. 7.16.21.b (Identification Signs). & Sec. 7.16.22.c (Wall Signs).

Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.30 (Variance).

                       

TO VIEW BZA CASE APPLICATIONS, PLANS & SUBMISSIONS, GO TO: https://www.cambridgema.gov/inspection/zoning.aspx at top of page, click “Calendar” > Click hearing date >

Click “Board of Zoning Appeal Agenda.”  Any information filed after the agenda has been posted can be viewed at the Inspectional Services Department located at 831 Mass Avenue, Cambridge

by appointment only. Copies of this petition are also on file in the office of the City Clerk, City Hall, Cambridge, MA. Interested persons may provide comments to the Board of Zoning Appeal by

participating during the hearing and/or may provide written comments for the Board’s consideration by mailing or delivering them to the attention of the Secretary, Board of Zoning Appeal,

831 Mass Avenue, 02139 or by emailing them to mpacheco@cambridgema.gov. Comments must be submitted prior to the Hearing and include the Case Number.

Continued cases are not re-advertised but are posted on the office board at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall & on the same BZA Web Page 48 hours prior to hearing.

Calendar