License Commission — Whole Foods
Liquor store in former Putnam Cafe
Dear Commission Members:
I write in support of neighbors opposing Whole Foods' application to to sell alcohol in what formerly was the Putnam Cafe. The Putnam Cafe was allowed as part of the original zoning variance that allowed the Bread and Circus at this spot in the first place, and to change that use to a liquor store, something that was not allowed in the original package, seems to me to place future such accommodations in jeopardy. If neighbors cannot rely on agreements, especially zoning agreements, to protect their neighborhoods far into the future, it is unlikely that we will see the sort of give-and-take negotiations that help developments squeeze into already dense areas.
This would not be an issue were there not significant neighborhood opposition, but given that a variety of people oppose this license, it is important to think about the implications of throwing past agreements, or at least the spirit of past agreements, out the window for the sake of economic expediency for large national corporations. Further, as long as liquor stores appear to be more financially viable than other uses such as coffee shops, day spas, convenience stores and the like, we will continue to see a push for such licenses regardless of what the surrounding community wants and what, on an even playing field, the local economy would support.
I do hope you will carefully consider the neighbors' concerns about this proposed liquor store and deny the application.
If you have any questions about this letter, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Sincerely,
Craig Kelley
Cambridge City Council
6 St. Gerard Terrace
Cambridge, MA 02140
617-354-8353 (home)
617-349-4280 (Council office)