Cambridge public meetings in 2022
22 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Historic Preservation Commission
The Commission approved several property modifications, including solar panel installation and fence replacements. Members also discussed the lack of enforcement for historic tree guidelines and potential new mural regulations.
- Approved storm door installation at 206 Choptank Avenue
- Approved wood privacy fence installation at 111/113 West End Avenue
- Approved stair reconstruction at 604 Church Street with specific rail and baluster requirements
- Approved solar panel installation at 101 Belvedere Avenue with a requirement to match accessory roof color to black panels
- Approved October 19, 2022 minutes
- Approved November 16, 2022 minutes
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Cambridge Board of Appeals will hold a work session on December 20, 2022 at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers. The only item listed for discussion relates to the application process, with additional information to follow.
- Discussion of the application process (no details provided; additional information to follow)
City Council
Council approved the purchase of two properties on Pine Street and 18 non-profit contracts funded by the American Rescue Plan. A proposed juvenile curfew ordinance was amended and sent back for rewriting. The Council also approved a 4-way stop pilot project and two solar farm resolutions.
- Approved purchase of 904 Pine Street for $10,000 and 906 Pine Street for $15,000 (5-0)
- Approved 18 American Rescue Plan non-profit contracts (5-0)
- Approved contract with Blue Lotus consulting firm for land bank program (5-0)
- Approved pilot project for 4-way stop at Somerset Ave./School St. (5-0)
- Approved solar resolutions for Mustang Solar and Egypt Road (5-0)
- Approved Resolution on Traffic & Safety Committee appointment (5-0)
- Approved Resolution on Solid Waste rules (5-0)
- Amended and tabled juvenile curfew ordinance for rewrite; final vote set for Jan 9 (5-0)
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on three variance requests: a side setback and duplex lot size variance at 713 Robbins Street, a variance to allow a pool in the side yard at 1A Belvedere Avenue, and an appeal of a Historic Preservation Commission requirement for half-round gutters at 213 Belvedere Avenue. Two items have been deferred: a building height variance at 111 High Street (deferred by applicant) and the gutter appeal (deferred by the city). The meeting will also include approval of minutes.
- 713 Robbins Street – side setback and duplex lot size variance
- 1A Belvedere Avenue – variance to allow pool in side yard
- 213 Belvedere Avenue – appeal of Historic Preservation Commission gutter requirement (deferred by city)
- 111 High Street – building height variance (deferred by applicant)
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Cambridge Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on November 22, 2022, to decide on two variance requests. One seeks to subdivide 713/715/719 Robbins Street into two lots, requiring relief from side setback and minimum duplex lot size requirements. The other requests a variance to allow a swimming pool in the side yard at 1A Belvedere Avenue due to the property's unique orientation. Two other agenda items were deferred by the applicant or the city.
- Variance for 713 Robbins Street: allow a 2-foot carport encroachment into side setback and reduce duplex minimum lot size from 6,000 to 4,605 sq ft
- Variance for 1A Belvedere Avenue: allow a pool 25 feet into the side yard instead of the required rear yard
- BoA 2023-001 (111 High Street) – building height variance deferred by applicant
- BoA 2023-004 (213 Belvedere Avenue) – appeal of Historic Preservation Commission gutters requirement deferred by city
Historic Preservation Commission
The Commission approved several residential projects including window replacements, fence and shed installations, and porch repairs. One project at 110 Choptank Avenue received tentative approval pending City Council consent and further material reviews.
- Approved front porch and shutter replacement at 315 Belvedere Avenue
- Approved shed installation at 1101 Travers Street
- Approved vinyl picket fence installation at 101 Mill Street
- Approved window sign installation at 533 Poplar Street
- Tentatively approved envelope, design, and side addition at 110 Choptank Avenue
- Approved window replacement with grids or 2 over 2 windows at 206 Choptank Avenue
- Approved shed installation with clapboard siding at 302 Gay Street
City Council
The City Commission approved a residential solid waste rate increase to $18.25 per month and authorized the installation of several new stop signs. The council also approved the purchase of multiple properties on Pine Street and adopted an updated ethics code.
- Approved residential solid waste rate increase to $18.25 per month (5-0)
- Approved installation of stop signs at Travers/Oakley St, Travers St/Choptank Ave, Oakley/School St, and School St/Choptank Ave (5-0)
- Approved purchase of 908, 910, 912, 917, 921, 925, and 927 Pine Street (5-0)
- Adopted Ordinance 1205 amending the City ethics code (5-0)
- Approved first round of ARPA non-profit contracts (5-0)
- Approved Delmarva Power and Light EV charging station agreements for 1025 and 8 Washington Street (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda including Pine Street Small Area Plan consultant and Public Safety Building solar array expansion (5-0)
- Appointed Commissioner Malkus to the DNR and CWDI pier workforce group
City Council
The City Commission reviewed a preliminary analysis by David Wilk regarding the Hearn Building, which proposed 44 housing units and retail space with an estimated renovation cost of $20 million. City Manager Tom Carroll expressed intent to move forward with a funding application and partnership with Green Street Housing.
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board of Appeals will conduct public hearings regarding two variance requests. These include a building height variance on High Street and a side setback variance on Robbins Street.
- BoA 2023-0011: High Street building height variance
- BoA 2023-0027: Robbins Street side setback variance
Board of Zoning Appeals
The City of Cambridge Board of Appeals public meeting scheduled for October 25, 2022 at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers has been cancelled. No items were considered or discussed.
City Council
The council approved $1 million in ARPA non-profit allocations for FY23, including $50,000 for Cambridge Main Street and $60,000 for the YMCA, all by 5-0 votes. They also approved a $140,000 five-year contract with Spot.ai for a new camera system, a school resource officer agreement with Dorchester County Public Schools, and a solid waste services contract with Chesapeake Waste (4-1). A lease agreement for WHCP to use the city tower was approved 5-0.
- Approved $1M ARPA non-profit allocations for FY23 (5-0)
- Approved $50,000 for Cambridge Main Street (5-0)
- Approved $60,000 for the YMCA (5-0)
- Approved $140,000 five-year contract with Spot.ai for camera system (5-0)
- Approved school resource officer agreement with Dorchester County Public Schools (5-0)
- Approved solid waste services contract with Chesapeake Waste for 2023-2025 (4-1)
- Approved WHCP lease agreement for tower at 410 Academy Street (5-0)
- Set city council retreat for January 7, 2023 (5-0)
Cambridge Utilities Commission
The Municipal Utilities Commission will meet in person on October 27, 2022, at 5:30 pm. The agenda includes approval of September 2022 expenditures and minutes, reorganization of the commission, purchase of a hot box trailer, redevelopment of Well #3 on Nathans Ave, and installation of a new main and hydrant.
- Redevelopment of Well #3 on Nathans Ave
- New main & hydrant installation
- Hot Box Trailer purchase
Cambridge Utilities Commission
The Municipal Utilities Commission is holding a special meeting to review a utility rate white paper presented by Tom Carroll. The commission will also discuss the reorganization of the MUC.
- Utility Rate White Paper presentation by Tom Carroll
- MUC reorganization discussion
Cambridge Utilities Commission
The Commission will meet to approve August 2022 expenditures and previous meeting minutes. The agenda includes discussions regarding a new hire, equipment, and a closed session for personnel matters.
- Approval of August 2022 expenditures
- Discussion of Asphalt Roller & Hot Box
- Closed session regarding personnel matters
Cambridge Utilities Commission
The Commission will meet to approve expenditures for June and July 2022 and the minutes from the June 23rd meeting. The agenda includes updates on the Fletcher Ave Tank and a new hire. A closed session is scheduled to discuss personnel matters.
- Approve expenditures for June 2022 and July 2022
- Approve minutes from June 23rd, 2022 meeting
- Discussion of Fletcher Ave Tank
- Closed session regarding personnel matters
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding a variance request for a pool encroaching into the 10 foot setback at 102 Audubon Ct. The meeting is scheduled for June 30, 2022, at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers.
- Variance request: 102 Audubon Ct. pool encroaching into 10 foot setback
Cambridge Utilities Commission
The Municipal Utilities Commission will meet to approve expenditures for April and May 2022. The body will discuss the FY-23 budget update and the Capital Improvement Plan.
- Approval of April 2022 and May 2022 expenditures
- FY-23 budget update
- Fletcher Ave Tank discussion
- Capital Improvement Plan
- Leonard Lane Property update
Cambridge Utilities Commission
The Commission will meet to discuss several items including the introduction of City Manager Thomas Carroll and the introduction of the FY-23 budget. The agenda also includes updates on tank maintenance, lead and copper inventory, and a proposal for Leonard Lane Station.
- Introduction of new City Manager Thomas Carroll
- Approval of February 2022 and March 2022 expenditures
- Approval of February 24, 2022 meeting minutes
- Leonard Lane Station proposal
- FY-23 Budget Introduction
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding a special exception request for a duplex. The meeting is scheduled for April 26, 2022, at the Council Chambers.
- Special Exception for a Duplex: 1300 Race Street/400 Robinson Avenue
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board of Appeals will hold a continued public hearing regarding a request for a special exception for a duplex at 1102 Glover Avenue. The meeting is scheduled for March 29, 2022, at the Council Chambers.
- Public Hearing: Special Exception for a Duplex at 1102 Glover Avenue
Cambridge Utilities Commission
The Commission will review expenditures for December 2021 and January 2022. The agenda includes budget preparation, lead and copper regulations, and a superintendent's report.
- Approval of December 2021 and January 2022 expenditures
- Approval of December 8th, 2021 meeting minutes
- Introduction of Assistant Superintendent
- Tank Maintenance discussion
- Budget Preparation
Board of Zoning Appeals
The City of Cambridge Board of Appeals will meet to discuss a specific property request. The board is considering a setback variance and lot line adjustment for two addresses.
- BoA 2022-004: Setback variance and lot line adjustment for 1202 and 1204 Hambrooks Blvd