Planning Board finds quick‑service food use compatible at 20 Child Street

Mary Flynn, chair of the Cambridge Planning Board, on Dec. 9 said the board would approve a written determination allowing a quick‑service food establishment at 20 Child Street, a ground-floor space in Parcel N of the Cambridge Crossing planned-unit development.

The determination followed a staff framing by Jeff Roberts, director of zoning and development in the Community Development Department, who told the board the PUD zoning and special permit allow the Planning Board to permit a use by written determination if it is compatible with and advances the Eastern Cambridge plan and supports the predominant residential use in the Northpointe residence district.

Jeff Roberts explained the request as a routine compatibility determination for a ground-floor quick‑service tenant in a mixed-use district and said staff had discussed the proposal with the prospective retailer and saw no particular issues. Roberts said the board had made similar determinations previously and that this action would be a written finding rather than a zoning change.

The applicant’s attorney was on the panel and deferred to the tenant, Sam Singh, who described the concept (transcript phrasing: “donor shack”) as offering authentic Turkish kebabs introduced in Germany, served in Turkish bread, along with bowls, fried chicken and shakes. "This concept is donor shack, which is authentic Turkish kebabs, introduced in Germany in the 19 seventies and eighties, quickly became a German street food favorite," Singh said. He explained the franchisee offers a replicated Turkish bread recipe and an automated vertical rotisserie that shaves meat for kebabs.

Board member Ashley Tan asked about the type of food the tenant would serve; Sam Singh reiterated kebabs, bowls, fried chicken and shakes. After discussion, Ted Cohen moved to make a determination that the proposed use is compatible with and advances the Eastern Cambridge plan and is necessary to support the predominant residential use in the PUD; Mary Flynn seconded. The board appointed Joy Jackson to sit as the associate member on this special-permit case for deliberation on the matter. A roll-call vote was taken and all members present voted in favor; the motion passed unanimously.

The board did not impose additional conditions during the determination. Chair Flynn thanked the attorney and tenant and closed the item. The board indicated the matter would proceed as a special-permit case with the appointed associate member participating in the process.