But Braude's public challenge, which only Councillor Marjorie C. Decker has echoed, represents a substantial split from the stated views of Mayor Anthony D. Galluccio and other councillors.

"I feel it's a little bit hard to mix apples and oranges and throw zoning in there," says Councillor Henrietta Davis. "Not all the council supports that."

Davis says the living wage should remain a separate issue from the University's development projects.

"The living wage campaign is something that needs to stand on its own merits," Davis says.

Paul S. Grogan, Harvard vice president for government, public and community affairs, says he considers the linking of Harvard development and wage policy by some councillors "unfortunate," but he says it will not influence University policy.

"It wasn't helpful to have those comments, but we're not going to be affected by them one way or the other," he says. "Introducing public threats or ultimatums, that's not a good thing."

Galluccio, who along with Decker met with President Neil L. Rudenstine last week, says enacting a living wage is a "baseline human rights" issue--but not one which will affect the University's development plans.

Part of his duty as mayor, he says, is to engage in a long-term, collaborative dialogue with Harvard.