Cambridge Planning Board Clears Final Design Review for 110-Unit Senior Housing Project

CAMBRIDGE -- June 4, 2024, Cambridge Planning Board unanimously concludes advisory design review for a 110-unit affordable senior housing project at 87 to 101 Blanchard Road. The board, chaired by Mary Flynn and meeting with five members present, voted 5-0 to issue a final advisory report to the superintendent of buildings for Case AHO 7, a proposal by B'nai B'rith Housing Community Development, LLC to replace a one-story commercial strip with a six-story, 100 percent affordable residence for seniors. The project received an $18 million award from the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust in March. Members Diego Macias and Tom Sinevich praised facade improvements and expanded outdoor amenity spaces, while Sinevich pushed the applicant to replace painted pedestrian striping behind tucked-under parking with textured pavers, saying "I think we can do better than paint." Attorney Anne George, representing abutter Carmela Schipani of 3 Normandy Avenue, argued the six-story height exceeded what the Affordable Housing Overlay statute intended as a "limited increase" and questioned the project's floodplain exposure, a claim the applicant disputed, saying only a drainage pipe replacement falls within the 100-year floodplain. The board also confirmed the promotion of Diego Macias and Adam Westbrook from associate to full members, with two new associates, architect Daniel Anderson and Joy Jackson, expected to join later in June.