My speculation is that since this is happening at a thin section at bottom of the membrane, the out of plane light from a normal epi-fluorescent scope masks the effect, which is why it is mainly observable with TIRF or confocal imaging.

Our working hypothesis is that the strong ventral stress fibers are a response to substrate stiffness. Before I graduated, we discussed repeating some of the experiments on hydrogels of various stiffnesses to see how it affected our observations.

We wrote a paper about this phenomenon! www.molbiolcell.org/doi/full/10..... On stiff substrates, ventral stress fibers deform the plasma membrane. It’s not that GFP colocalizes to actin fibers, but rather high magnification microscopy is able to observe the variation in membrane/cytosol topography.

To put some numbers on it: Census Tract 3701.03 (Watertown Sq)=24% car free households.
Watertown as a whole=11.2% car free households.
According to 2022 ACS. data.census.gov/table?q=B082...

Councillor Piccirilli motions to approve the plan. It is seconded. President Sideris thanks the staff for their work, and is proud of the plan. The plan passes unanimously. President Sideris then thanks the public.

Councillor Gannon asks a clarification on ADUs.

Councillor Palomba states his concern that the staff affordable housing study would get lost in the shuffle with MBTA-C compliance and requested a timeline from staff with the topics to be covered, people to be interviewed, and public comment opportunities.

Motion passes unanimously

Councillors Gannon and Palomba follow up with clarification in language.

Councillor Feltner moves to adopt staff recommendation to add proportionality requirement to in-lieu of payment for open space. Seconded.

Councillor Feltner clarified some of the new uses being allowed, and asked for clarification on adding nursing homes as a use to the Square. Staff had no disagreement with the planning board on the addition.

Councillor Feltner asks about limiting ADUs to only single family zones. Staff and the City Manager debate the intent of the legislature in their passing this law. The Manager and Staff support the more expensive reading to protect the city so site plan review is in place for state guidelines in Feb

Councillor Izzo asks for clarification on unbundling parking. Staff explain the rationale: it separates the cost of parking from the other costs of renting, to make people aware of the cost of parking, to discourage excess car usage and SOV usage.

Councillor Gardner asks to revise the definition of green space in the open space ordinance during a future process.

Councillor Gannon raises a point about appealing the denial of a certification for being an artist. Staff are confident it isn’t necessary.

Councillor Palomba asks technical questions about the certification of artist, bicycle parking rack size, definition of Design Guidelines vs Standards, and notification for special permit applications

Councillor Feltner asks about parcels on California and riverside streets.

Councillor Izzo asks for clarification on some parcels on Main Street.