Per Section 20.54 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, the purpose of the Harvard Square Advisory Committee is to review all major development actions in the Harvard Square Overlay District; provide a forum within which a wide range of perspectives on development actions can be heard; support local businesses and uses that enhance the vibrancy and historical nature of Harvard Square with the aspirational goal of maintaining a seventy percent local and non-formula retail experience throughout the district, at the ground floor level; and establish a citizen/professional body which can advise both public agencies and private interests as to the development and urban design issues raised by a development or planning proposal and suggest avenues of research which might be pursued to resolve identified conflicts or make the project better fulfill both public and private objectives for the Harvard Square Overlay District. The Committee meets approximately monthly or on an as-needed basis. Membership includes up to 11 members: two architects, attorneys who specialize in zoning, urban planners, architectural historians, or landscape architects architect or landscape architect; one member who operates a non-formula business within the Harvard Square Overlay District; one member owning commercial property within the Harvard Square Overlay District; four residents living within a half mile of the Harvard Square Overlay; one member representing the Harvard Square Neighborhood Association or Neighborhood group representing Harvard Square; one member representing an institution owning institutional property in the Harvard Square Overlay District; and one member representing the Cambridge Historical Commission.
Meeting Frequency: The Harvard Square Advisory Committee meets on an as-needed basis. For more information about the Harvard Square Advisory Committee, please contact Sarah Scott at sascott@cambridgema.gov.
Affecting Legislation: Chapter 20.50, Subsection 20.54 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.
Term Limit: 3 year Terms, unlimited number of Terms.
Positions: 8 in total. 8 occupied. No vacancies.
