by David Dahlbacka in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Somerville By The Numbers, Transportation, Ward 4
Posted on August 7, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Last Modified on August 7, 2010 at 3:42 pm
| August 24, 2010 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
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Thurs. Aug. 24 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Somerville City Hall
Aldermanic Chamber
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)
Agenda not available (8/7/10)
This is a rescheduled meeting of the Somerville Planning Board. The original meeting was scheduled 8/19. The Planning Board holds public hearings and grants permits for special districts, such as Planned Unit Developments.
This meeting deals with ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville developments: One Benton Road and Ocean State Job Lots at 299 Broadway.
For more information, see:
- Broadway Redevelopment Project
- 6/30/10 Ocean State Job Lot Introductory Meeting – Beat Report
- Online petition against changing the zoning to allow Ocean State Job Lot use
- 5/6/10 Planning Board Meeting – Beat Report
- 4/15/10 Planning Board – Beat Report
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This meeting is scheduled to deal with the Ocean State Job Lot proposal at 299 Broadway, among other issues.
Public hearings are often scheduled first, so BE THERE AT 6:00 PM or you may not be heard.
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Also, as of 3:00 PM 8/24/10, the meeting agenda was not available online.
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I am unable to attend tonight’s meeting, but why is Ocean State so gung-ho to open a store in Somerville if they’re looking to open in November in Medford (IIRC Wellington Circle)? That’s only a mile and a half away…
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Tricky – why is there a Bed, Bath and Beyond in Assembly Square and one a mile away in Everett?
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Probably because BBB didn’t want a competitor like Linens N Things to move in at Assembly Square. A regional company like Ocean State Job Lot is not in the same league as nationally-known big box retailers, nor are they trying to directly compete with anyone, as far as I can tell.
Do they have stores located within a mile and a half of each other elsewhere? I’ll be more than happy to check out their store in Medford, but Broadway is the wrong place for a large retailer.
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Tricky – Linen and Things was already out of business when BBB moved in.
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Pretty sure that’s not the case – Linens N Things was still around in late 2008, and Assembly Square was retenanted in 2006. Anyway, it’s still a case of a large big-box corporation seeking to block competition.
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LNT began closing store in the spring of 2008 when they filed chapter 11. I only know this because I knew some firms looking to be creditors counsel. I see no problem with Job Lot moving in. It is way better than the place remaining vacant. And, for someone who lived in RI for a few years, it was an OK place.
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The written comment period on the Ocean State Job Lot special permit at 299 Broadway ends AT NOON TOMORROW, Friday, August 27. If you want your views to be part of the record, you must make them known by then.
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8/24/10 Planning Board Meeting — Beat Report (Part 1: One Benton Road)
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[Copy of e-mail to Planning Director George Proakis 8/27/10]
Dear Mr. Proakis:
This note is in addition to my 7/27/10 e-mail to the Somerville Planning Board in opposition to the 299 Broadway special permit. I reiterate that the Planning Board should not allow the proposed change of use from Grocery to Large Format Retail.
1. The argument that Ocean State Job Lot should be allowed because 299 Broadway has become a haven for undesirables is misleading. Maintaining the safety and security of vacant property is the responsibility of the landlord, in collaboration with the Somerville Police Department. The landlord could very easily fence in the vacant property, install lights and security cameras, and above all actively work with the community and the Police Department to keep the property secure. He has apparently done none of these things, and now uses his maintenance of an attractive nuisance as an argument for installing a mediocre use.
2. The most undesirable feature of the proposal is the length of the lease, which according to the proponent is 10 years plus 5 year options to a total of 25 years. We have already seen how the K-Mart lease was used to obstruct high-value development in Assembly Square; I have no doubt that the same would happen on Broadway. Furthermore, my understanding is that the change of use to Large Format Retail runs with the property. Therefore, even if O.S.J.L decides to move elsewhere, a similar use may well move in, this time with the zoning already in place. The result may well be to make the new zoning moot.
I understand that the Planning Department has recommended that the Planning Board deny the change of use. I agree wholeheartedly. This is a last chance to open up that section of Broadway and prepare it for the coming Green Line Extension.
Thank you for your attention.
David Dahlbacka
25 Hancock Street
Somerville MA 02144
http://www.whyisthisimportant.net
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8/24/10 Planning Board Meeting — Beat Report (Part 2: 299 Broadway)
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8/24/10 Planning Board Meeting — Beat Report (Part 3: Other Cases)
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