On Dec. 18, 2000, the Cambridge City Council voted unanimously in favor of creating a Harvard Square Conservation District.

The decision forces property owners in the Square to face review and possible rejection of their plans for development and new construction.

The easy vote is deceptive, however. The final agreement marks the first apparent resolution to a long-time stand-off between opposing forces of development and preservation in the Square.

For many Cambridge residents, maintaining the character and integrity of Harvard Square is non-negotiable.

"We're really talking about the soul of a community," says Elizabeth Kline, co-chair of Friends of Harvard Square, a volunteer citizens' group.

But there has been no consensus on how best to preserve this soul.

Much of the charm of Harvard Square comes from its eclectic buildings and businesses, relics from all eras, residents say.

"Part of the history of the Square is that it is constantly evolving," says Charles Sullivan, director of the Cambridge Historical Commission. "It is not like Beacon Hill trying to preserve the 19th century."