Several council members stated general support for the proposal. Councilor Kathleen L. Born said that the moratorium extension would likely return to the council’s agenda for final adoption in December.

The prohibition on development, informally known as the “Loose Moratorium,” has been in effect for a large portion of the Riverside neighborhood since Oct. 2000. As originally approved, the moratorium would last for 18 months—until next April.

The moratorium prevents Harvard from building on two of its last remaining relatively undeveloped tracks of land in Cambridge. These properties are located at the intersection of Grant and Banks Street—the present site of a parking lot near Mather House—and at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Western Avenue—the present site of Mahoney’s Garden Center.

Community opposition to Harvard’s proposals to build an art museum on the property now occupied by Mahoney’s led residents to request the original development moratorium last year.

Harvard Announces New Athletics Director

Robert L. Scalise was named Harvard’s seventh Nichols Family Director of Athletics July 16. Scalise, began Aug. 1, previously served as associate dean for administration and senior executive office at Harvard Business School (HBS).