Word: overlayers
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Harvard officials used the rule, which in Cambridge means seven of the nine city councilors, or three-fourths, must favor a zoning change, in a successful attempt to block the Harvard Square overlay, a height limitation on building in the Square...
Supporters of the overlay could muster only six votes and the motion was defeated, but the council later declared the ordinance passed and went to court to defend that action...
...added later that Harvard hadn't had a chance to study the idea. "We need more time to look at all its ramifications," Armistead said. One city councilor who voted Harvard's way, Kevin P. Crane '73, agreed the University had been the fall guy in the controversy. "The overlay really aimed at private interests, and Harvard was just a target," Crane said. "Even after the vote, we offered to plan with the city. They told us it was a moot point, that the height limit was in force,' Michael F. Brewer, assistant vice president for government and community affairs...
Whatever the reason, Harvard's decision to contest the overlay "broke the camel's back," Bernie Flynn, administrative assistant to Danehy, said later. Within a week, the letter to the Board of Overseers decrying the "consistent poor judgment and insensitivity" of Harvard was signed and mailed out. Two weeks later, the City Council decided after heated debate to contest the overlay ruling. "As of now, the overlay is in effect with six votes backing it," City Manager Sullivan said. A court challenge to the seventh vote provision began two weeks...
...overlay furor was the last in a series of Cambridge-Harvard clashes. "Since then they've been quiet, doing nothing to ameliorate or exacerbate the situation," Preusser said. "I don't think they're out to shock us anymore," Sullivan added. "Every time they act contrary to the interests of Cambridge, we stand ready to confront them. The city has a great deal of police power. We have the right to take them to court anytime," he added...