by David Dahlbacka in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special, Union Square
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Last Modified on December 11, 2011 at 10:03 pm
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Somerville Planning Board and Land Use Committee Joint Hearing
Thurs. Dec. 15 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Somerville City Hall
Aldermanic Chamber
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)
Public Notice (PDF)
Agenda (PDF)
This is a special joint hearing of the Somerville Planning Board with the Land Use Committee of the Board of Aldermen.
Agenda includes zoning changes to set minimum pervious area requirements and to modify zoning maps for Somerville Ave. from Wilson Square to Porter Square, White St., and Elm St.
The Planning Board holds public hearings, provides recommendations to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Aldermanic committees, and grants permits for special districts, such as Planned Unit Developments. The Land Use Committee develops zoning
For more information, see:
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Copy of e-mail to Ald. White and the Planning Board
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Memo to:
Alderman White, Land Use Committee
Somerville Planning Board
Re: Proposed changes to zoning maps for Somerville Ave. from Wilson Square to Porter Square, White St., and Elm St.
This note is to follow up on my brief remarks at the joint hearing of the Planning Board and the Land Use Committee on December 15 regarding proposed zoning changes to the streets near Porter Square.
One problem I see is that the City is trying to change zoning before rolling out the Comprehensive Plan, which provides the basic arguments in favor of changing zoning. Is this not jumping the gun?
The underlying issue, as I see it, is as follows:
We know why the zoning change is good for developers: it will provide additional rental income.
We know why the zoning change is good for the City: it will provide additional, badly needed tax revenue.
Why is the zoning change good for the neighbors, and especially for those who will be uniquely impacted by the change?
Until the City can answer that question, we are going to continue to have problems with zoning changes implementing the Comprehensive Plan.
May I offer a suggestion. The City has established a DIF for Somerville Avenue and environs. Might some of the DIF proceeds be returned as mitigation to the neighbors uniquely impacted by such changes, perhaps in the form of a property tax rollback?
David Dahlbacka
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