Council Discusses Zoning Development at Meeting

After a light-hearted beginning to Monday night's city council meeting featuring a performance by legendary Cambridge entertainer "Little Joe" Cook, councillors moved on to more serious business as they faced attacks on their zoning ordinance by a group of Cambridge businesses and, allegedly, the University.

In a letter read aloud by Councillor Timothy J. Toomey Jr. Lyme Properties urged other large Cambridge property owners to fight two amendments to the Interim Planning Overlay Petition (IPOP).

The amendments would delay the approval process for large building projects including parking facilities, such as the one Lyme Properties plans to build in Kendall Square.

Toomey said Harvard was one of the organizations that had responded to the call to arms by Lyme, and had written a letter to the Council objecting to the amendments.

Those who oppose the move said this move could put the University on the side of big business and against residents who oppose the construction that jeopardizes the traditional face of Cambridge.

"I think that this letter says it all--what the little people of this city are up against," Toomey said.

Toomey added that the proposed amendments to IPOP would level the playing field between big business interests in development and long-time Cantabrigians' interest in preserving the character of the city.

In what some called another zoning victory for "the little people," the council passed the Jelley Petition, which down-zones a block just east of Harvard Square from commercial 0-3 to residential C-3.

The petition, named after the first signer, Peter C. Jelley '85, was passed unanimously by the council.

Supporters of the petition clapped after the vote was announced and were visibly relieved by see a process which had lasted since October finally brought to a conclusion.

The conflict between businesses and residents has been a recurring theme in the council meetings as the city has undergone rapid industrialization.

Residents lamenting the loss of open space are pitted against developers seeking to bring more business into Cambridge.

However, the meeting did not start out on a theme of contentiousness.

At the beginning of the meeting, the council chamber was packed with fans clapping along as Little Joe Cook performed a rendition of his hit song "Peanut."

Cook also played the song on the Dick Clark show in the 1950s.

Joseph Cook has spent the last 20 years performing regularly at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, which is frequented by a diverse crowd, including some Harvard students.

Councillor Anthony Galluccio honored Cook by introducing a resolution making Feb. 22 "Little Joe Cook Day" in Cambridge, and naming the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Pleasant Street as "Little Joe Cook square."

The resolution passed unanimously and was followed by a celebration including a "Peanut" cake.

Cook said he plans to continue his career at the Cantab indefinitely.

"I love to make people happy," Cook said.

Galluccio, who danced behind Cook as he sang, praised Cook highly, both for his music and for his positive influence on those around him.

"He's doing my sister's wedding in July," Galluccio said.

Other business included a motion to enforce crosswalk ordinances in Cambridge.

"This is not just a matter of everyday comfort but also of life and death," Davis said.

Police Commissioner Ronnie Watson also emphasized the seriousness of the issue.

"It's true, our traffic deaths equal our homicides in this city," he said.

Watson said he planned on addressing the problem using education, engineering and enforcement.

Councillors suggested large signs be placed at crosswalks to alert cars to stop for pedestrians.