Residents Discuss Plans For JFK Land

An overflow crowd of Cambridge residents debated two proposed development projects for the state-owned plot of land adjacent to the new Kennedy School of Government last night at a public hearing at the Peabody School.

Members of the Land Re-use Committee, the board that will recommend a developer for the 4.2-acre site to the State Secretary of Finance, heard opinions during an hour-and-a-half reserved for public comments. The discussion followed a half-hour slide presentation by the two developers.

State Rep. H.D. Thomas Mahoney, chairman of the committee, said last night the opinions expressed at the hearing will have "considerable impact" on the committee's decision.