Executive Summary
The Cambridge Planning Board met on January 6, 2026, to conduct its annual election of officers and review design updates for three major developments. The Board elected Tom Sieniewicz as Chair and Mary Flynn as Vice Chair for the 2026 term. Key design reviews included lighting updates for 360 Binney Street, landscape and amenity enhancements at Discovery Park, and rooftop mechanical adjustments for Takeda’s new facility at 320 3rd Street. Additionally, the Community Development Department provided updates on recently adopted city-wide zoning petitions and upcoming institutional reports.
Meeting Information
- Governing Body: Cambridge Planning Board
- Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
- Date: January 6, 2026
- Attendees:
- Board Members Present: Mary Flynn (Chair), Ted Cohen, Mary Lydecker, Tom Sieniewicz (Vice Chair), Carolyn Zern.
- Associate Members Present: Dan Anderson, Joy Jackson.
- Staff Present: Jeff Roberts (Director of Zoning and Development), Swathi Joseph (CDD), Eric Thorkelson (Urban Design Team).
- Absent: Diego Macias, Ashley Tan.
Community Development Department Update
Jeff Roberts provided updates on department activities and City Council actions:
- City Council Zoning Actions:
- Massachusetts Avenue Zoning Petition: Adopted by the City Council on December 22, 2025. The zoning allows residential heights up to 12 stories north of Cambridge Common and includes provisions for greater heights in Porter Square via the PUD process.
- Cambridge Street Zoning Petition: Not yet acted upon; the new City Council may take it up in the coming weeks before expiration.
- Upcoming Meetings:
- January 27, 2026: Public hearing on a zoning petition regarding institutional uses and state law regulations.
- February 3, 2026: Annual Town Gown Report meeting featuring Harvard University, MIT, Lesley University, and Hult International School of Business.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
The Board reviewed certified transcripts for meetings held on November 18, 2025, and December 9, 2025.
- Action: The Board voted to accept the transcripts as meeting minutes.
- Vote Outcome: 5-0-0 (Approved).
- In Favor: Ted Cohen, Mary Lydecker, Tom Sieniewicz, Carolyn Zern, Mary Flynn.
Design Update: Case PB150 – 360 Binney Street
The Board reviewed proposed changes to the lighting design for the commercial building at 360 Binney Street (Amgen), originally permitted in 1999.
- Proposed Changes: Replacement of approximately 700 linear feet of original neon roof parapet lighting with energy-efficient LED fixtures. The new system includes visors to reduce skyward light spill and a Lumen Pulse control system for remote dimming.
- Operational Schedule: Lights will be significantly dimmed or turned off between 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM to comply with the city's lighting ordinance.
- Board Discussion: Members expressed support for the energy-efficient upgrades and the ability to adjust levels remotely.
- Action: Motion to conclude the design update.
- Vote Outcome: 6-0-0 (Approved; Tom Sieniewicz recused).
- In Favor: Ted Cohen, Mary Lydecker, Carolyn Zern, Dan Anderson, Joy Jackson, Mary Flynn.
Design Update: Case PB198 – Discovery Park (68 Bourne Park Drive)
The Board reviewed site and landscape modifications for the Discovery Park master plan, specifically at 60 Acorn Park Drive.
- Proposed Changes:
- Expansion of the south-facing terrace by approximately 30 feet to the west to accommodate a multi-tenant lobby refresh.
- Installation of seating steps, movable furniture, and umbrellas.
- Addition of a pickleball court and basketball net in the adjacent park area.
- Public Access: The applicant confirmed that while the pickleball courts are primarily for tenants, signage will be posted to allow public use on weekends.
- Action: Motion to conclude the design update.
- Vote Outcome: 7-0-0 (Approved).
- In Favor: Ted Cohen, Mary Lydecker, Tom Sieniewicz, Carolyn Zern, Dan Anderson, Joy Jackson, Mary Flynn.
Design Update: Case PB383 – 320 3rd Street
The Board reviewed rooftop mechanical changes for a 16-story mixed-use building occupied by Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
- Proposed Changes: Installation of Energy Recovery Units (ERUs) for fume hood exhaust to meet sustainability goals, including LEED Platinum and a 65% reduction in energy use intensity.
- Visual Impact: The ERU stacks will be visible from certain vantage points, including the Longfellow Bridge. The applicant presented a study showing that physical screening would add significant bulk to the skyline and detract from the building's sculptural form.
- Board Consensus: The Board agreed that the environmental benefits of the high-performance mechanical systems outweighed the minor visual impact of the unscreened stacks.
- Action: Motion to conclude the design update without requiring additional screening.
- Vote Outcome: 7-0-0 (Approved).
- In Favor: Ted Cohen, Mary Lydecker, Tom Sieniewicz, Carolyn Zern, Dan Anderson, Joy Jackson, Mary Flynn.
Annual Election of Chair and Vice Chair
The Board held its annual election for leadership positions for the 2026 calendar year.
- Election of Chair:
- Nomination: Tom Sieniewicz nominated by Mary Flynn.
- Vote Outcome: 5-0-0 (Approved).
- In Favor: Ted Cohen, Mary Lydecker, Tom Sieniewicz, Carolyn Zern, Mary Flynn.
- Election of Vice Chair:
- Nomination: Mary Flynn nominated by Tom Sieniewicz.
- Vote Outcome: 5-0-0 (Approved).
- In Favor: Ted Cohen, Mary Lydecker, Tom Sieniewicz, Carolyn Zern, Mary Flynn.