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Planning Board finds proposed fitness center at 20 Child Street compatible with NorthPoint PUD
Summary
The Planning Board voted 7–0 Oct. 21 to determine that a proposed ground‑floor fitness center at 20 Child Street (Parcel N, NorthPoint) is compatible with the Eastern Cambridge plan and necessary to support the predominant residential use in the PUD; the determination allows the use under the Park/PUD permit framework.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Cambridge Planning Board voted unanimously on Oct. 21 to find that a proposed ground‑floor fitness center use at 20 Child Street (Parcel N in the NorthPoint/Northpointe PUD) is compatible with the Eastern Cambridge plan and necessary to support the adjacent residential community.
Jeff Roberts of the Community Development Department briefed the board that the NorthPoint (Parcel N) PUD permits a broad set of retail uses and that a fitness center is not explicitly authorized in the original special permit text. Under the PUD decision, however, the planning board may make a written determination that a proposed use is compatible and advances the plan’s policy objectives.
Staff review found that fitness‑type uses had been anticipated by the retail plan included with the NorthPoint approvals and that the proposed ground‑floor fitness center is consistent with the PUD’s intent to serve the surrounding residential population. The planning board voted 7–0 to make the written determination.
Ending: The determination allows the applicant to locate a fitness center at the ground floor of 20 Child Street; project‑level permits and any necessary building reviews remain subject to standard development review.
