Let me start today's update by thanking you again for your signatures and participation. 

First and foremost, I want to remind you of tonight's meeting at 6p, at the 301 Binney cafeteria, corner of Fulkerson (9th Street) and Roger Street. 

Here is a link for remote access:

https://www.320charlesstreet.com/communitymeetings/communitymeeting030425

(Author's note: the second part of this post is skippable broadside.)

Second, picking up on the above, the lack of communication by BioMed Reality is stunning. Many people were unaware of tonight's meeting and never knew BioMed Realty had already organized two public meetings. The meeting I attended yesterday at the East End House had not been advertised to the audience. Most people were seniors who live in the neighbourhood and were there to play Bingo, have lunch, and talk with friends. When asked why BioMed Realty was presenting, they answered that they must have done, or do, community outreach, a checkbox in the permitting process. Whether they listen to our concerns is a matter of debate. I would say that their actions do not match their word. They ask for our feedback but are unwilling to implement the suggestions if they don't fit their objectives. They have negotiated a deal with a small group of neighbours at the East Cambridge Planning Team, ECPT, for their support, which they have gained. But the abutters and nearest neighbours have been left out of the discussion. BioMed Realty would rather convince you one-on-one than give the same straight answer to everyone. My take, and my take only, it smells. 

You'll excuse me, but I need to vent a little more so I can focus on my work for the rest of the afternoon. I have a name for what is happening: Bully Zoning. Why does BioMed Realty present a project so outside the zoning limit? 

1. New density is a crucial funding source for the very important Affordable Housing Trust (https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/housing/fordevelopersandpropmanagers/incentivezoningt
2. Contract Zoning: the exchange of density for public benefits. https://www.cambridgeday.com/2019/11/03/contract-zoning-approach-for-development-must-be-stopped-now-council-candidate-says/
3. New Revenue Generation. More density means more tax revenue. Simply put, it is how the city increases the tax revenue pool and makes money. 

These three significant incentives are why the city's decision-makers approve these massive density increases. It allowed the development of Kendall Square, Toomey Park, the Foundry, and Lopez Park, as well as lots and lots of housing, in East Cambridge alone. Generally last in the development queue of the commercial developers. They have a lab-first approach. 

All these factors explain why a developer like BioMed Realty feels comfortable imposing a massive increase in density on us, knowing full well that they have the wind in their sail and a sense of inevitability that, even united, we can't defeat. Bully Zoning.

I don't blame BioMed Realty for their approach. It is a business, and it makes money out of lab construction. The mechanics of the City of Cambridge, which we implicitly agree to despite our zoning laws, scratch me. We're okay with selling density anywhere at any cost. It's our product. All in all, this feels like our new federal administration's way of doing business. Not my cup of tea.

Luckily, despite all the 'good' of Bully Zoning, the parcel at 320 Charles St is no longer Kendall Square. It's East Cambridge, a residential neighbourhood and a community. And if the petition is any indication, it is a community ready to fight to bring reason to the excesses of the BioMed Realty proposal? 

(Author's note: end of skippable broadside)

Looking forward to tonight's meeting