Attend meetings on city-owned electric vehicles; the Gas Light landmarking; adding a pet hospital
Upgrading the city’s fleet
City Council, 5:30 p.m. Monday. With Election Day coming Tuesday, this is always one of the lightest council agendas of the year. The most interesting topics offered here, which is not to imply they’re controversial, are: a suggestion to stop exempting certain city vehicles from a Green Fleet Policy, so more electric and hybrid options can be considered when buying new; and setting aside money to help handle crises involving hazardous materials – including the purchase of “quick response/safety” hazmat vehicles.
The council meets at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. Televised and watchable by Zoom video conferencing.
Gas Light landmarking, hotel plan
Historical Commission, 6 p.m. Thursday. The circa-1912 Cambridge Gas Light Co. Building at 727 Massachusetts Ave. near Central Square gets more discussion both about its potential landmarking and renovation to serve as a foundation for a boutique hotel and office addition. Exterior restorations to the 100-year-old St. Augustine’s church at 137 Allston St., Cambridgeport, are also on the agenda, and changes to the temporarily enclosed patio at The Red House seafood restaurant, 98 Winthrop St., Harvard Square. Watchable by Zoom video conferencing.
Pet hospital at Fresh Pond
Board of Zoning Appeal, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Thursday. A 17,000-square-foot veterinary clinic is proposed for 321 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge Highlands near Fresh Pond, a strip more known for retail uses such as a TD Bank, Sav-Mor Spirits and Genki-Ya and Chipotle restaurants. This full-service Banfield Pet Hospital would include a surgery, pharmacy and kennels for cats and dogs. The chain already has a presence inside the PetSmart in a mall across the parkway. Watchable by Zoom video conferencing.