Development and Zoning

The key issue is allowing a larger supermarket in Assembly Square at a location that should be dedicated to high-rise office and R&D space.More…

The Open House provides an opportunity to tour the new office, meet the GLX project team, get project updates, and provide feedback on the current state of the project. More…

Agenda gives no specifics. There are committees on resident services, public safety, major projects, and finance. To find out the specifics, come and listen. More…

Agenda includes updates on Assembly Square and Union Square and takings and other actions in Union Square. More…

Agenda includes a proposed home-rule petition to establish a Job Creation-Job Retention Trust, and a proposed ban on polystyrene containers in Somerville. More…

Community cleanups provide the opportunity to help your community and meet other citizens over breakfast and barbeque. More…

Agenda includes an update on the construction of the Riverfront park at Assembly Square. More…

The HUD block grants are a very important source of funding for affordable housing in Somerville, yet very few people attend these hearings. More…

The Green Line Extension and Assembly Square T-Stop may be at risk if inadequate funding is provided. Make your views known. More…

Agenda includes four substantial residential projects and only a couple of small commercial projects. This is the wrong policy emphasis. More…

Somerville Library as a digital laboratory, community service, and creative resource to both city and national users.

Separating supermarkets from general merchandise and department stores in the use table could ensure that allowing a supermarket would allow a department store in the same location only by Special Permit. However, Special Permits are granted automatically if the Planning Board does not act. More…

The HUD block grants are a very important source of funding for affordable housing in Somerville. More…

This meeting has been CANCELLED. More…

Draw 7 Park, currently underutilized, will be an important amenity for the new neighborhood at Assembly Square. Come and participate. More…

Remediation of contaminated industrial areas in the Union Square area has been an issue. It may be in your interest to comment on the Environmental Notification Form. More…

Trains carrying large amounts of flammable alcohol would pass through Somerville, including Porter Square, Brickbottom, East Broadway, and Assembly Square. More…

This project is controversial because the proposed cycle track could remove parking spaces. More…

The state’s transportation infrastructure is long overdue for repairs and maintenance. Come to this forum to learn what options are on the table. More…

Agenda includes conditions upon Federal Realty for building a retail/food service building in block 2A and to build a mixed-use office building in block 2B within the 150 foot river setback. More…

The Committee to Elect Mark Niedergang invites you to enjoy delicious free food from Redbones, Taco Loco, and Gauchão , fun entertainment, good company, and provocative discussion at a party and fundraiser to kick off Mark’s campaign for Ward 5 Alderman. Alex the Jester will entertain. State Representative Carl Sciortino (Somerville/Medford) will speak.

Agenda likely includes the purchase of real estate by the Redevelopment Authority (SRA) and any funds paid through SRA to Federal Realty (FRIT), and also the final agreement with FRIT about Yard 21 and whether covenants with IKEA and FRIT apply to future purchasers of the property. More…

Massachusetts public transportation is perpetually strapped for cash. Innovative financing options might help. More…

Agenda includes a hearing on waivers and permits to allow Federal Realty to build a retail/food service building in block 2A and to build a mixed-use office building in block 2B within the 150 foot river setback. More…

Ethanol trains carrying large amounts of flammable liquid would pass through Somerville, including right by Brickbottom, East Broadway and Assembly Square. More…

Agenda includes a presentation by Ian Lockwood and opportunities for citizen input ranging from spot improvements to larger scale network visioning. More…

Agenda includes approving the Assembly Row Storefront and Signage Design Standards. More…

This panel discusses how Assembly Row’s outlet shopping stores are designed as part of an urban neighborhood. Program includes a hard-hat site tour of Assembly Row. More…

Agenda includes two buildings on block 2 of Assembly Square. One is a food-service building and the other is a mixed-use building with retail and office uses. More…

Bicycle advocates turned out to the first meetings in support of a dedicated cycle track, which is opposed by neighborhood businesses. More…

Bicycle advocates turned out to the first meetings in support of a dedicated cycle track, which is opposed by neighborhood businesses More…

Land acquisition in Union Square is required for the Green Line T-Stop and for area redevelopment. Those involved should make sure their interests are met. More…

Why build when we can use what we have so much better?

If a grocery store is built at the IKEA site, it should be on the first floor of a multi-story, high-value R&D building, otherwise the location is underutilized.

Federal Realty has acquired the IKEA site and is considering placing a grocery there. We need to preserve upper-story R&D space at the site as well as choose a good grocer.

Come, look, listen, and participate. Neighbors and other stakeholders should assert their interests early rather than late.

Agenda includes reviewing and signing the FY 2013 tax abatements and exemptions.

Governor Patrick, Secretary Davey, Congressman Capuano, Mayor Curtatone, and other state and local elected officials are holding a kickoff ceremony for construction of Phase I of Green Line extension. The shovels are going into the ground. The Green Line Extension is really happening!

The SHA Annual Plan is a requirement of Federal funds for housing for low and moderate income families, the elderly, and the disabled.

Agenda includes a presentation of the FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.

This public hearing will affect property tax percentages for fiscal year 2013, giving revenue implications of various rates. Every Somerville property owner will be affected by this hearing.

Rutherford Avenue and Sullivan Square are just over the Somerville line in Boston. Somervillians who use the Sullivan Square T-Stop should come to the meeting and participate.

Agenda gives no specific issues, but includes resident concerns, major projects, and finance.

Come, look, listen, and participate. Neighbors and other stakeholders should assert their interests early rather than late.

Agenda includes a public hearing on an amendment to the Order of Conditions for the stormwater connections of block 2A of Assembly Row and a Notice of Intent for interim parking lots at blocks 5 and 6 of Assembly Row.

This public hearing will affect property tax percentages for fiscal year 2013, giving revenue implications of various rates. Every Somerville property owner will be affected by this hearing.

Davis Square neighbors should make their views known on the Kenney Park renovations.

Beacon Street Reconstruction Meeting #3 Tue. Nov. 13 6:00 – 8:00 PM John F. Kennedy Elementary School Cafeteria 5 Cherry St. Somerville MA (map) This is a community meeting on proposed changes to Beacon Street called by the Somerville Office of Strat…

Agenda likely includes discussing the Community Preservation Act, the coming Green Line Extension, the Davis Square Visioning process, and the Porter Square Visioning process.

Agenda will likely include discussing the implications of the passage of the Community Preservation Act as well as citizen concerns about services and public safety.

Agenda likely includes discussing the implications of the passage of the Community Preservation Act on revisions to the Historic Preservation Commission Guidelines.

VOTE! In addition to the Presidential and Senatorial elections we all know about, there are seven initiatives on the ballot.

2012 election year rhetoric features “The market versus the state”, “Big capital versus big government”, and so on. What about creating a web of collaboration where no one is in charge because everyone is in charge?

Andy Wiley-Schwartz will join Visiting Scholar Aaron Naparstek to discuss a groundbreaking approach to urban planning and design that has led to the construction of more than 50 new plazas and 21 acres of new public space in New York.

Winter Hill/Magoun Square Neighborhood Plan Meeting

Tues. Oct. 23 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Winter Hill Community School
115 Sycamore St.
Somerville MA (map)

Flyer (PDF)

Agenda includes the presentation to the Planning Board of the RA/RB Report, which recommends changes to make residential zoning more comprehensible and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

This meeting is intended to solicit input from the community on ideas for reconstructing Beacon Street. Changes to Beacon Street can affect people from Porter Square to Inman Square.

The first of three events focused on the future of Gilman Square, Lowell Street, and Ball Square. Come, listen, and participate. Neighbors and other stakeholders should assert their interests early rather than late.

This is a special meeting of the Somerville Redevelopment Authority. The agenda is to approve the 2012 Union Square Revitalization Plan as amended by the BOA on Oct. 2, 2012.

Agenda includes resolving two continued Special Permits for parking in Assembly Square.

Come and ask questions. The Federal HUD block grants are a very important source of funding for affordable housing in Somerville.

This is a special meeting of the Somerville Board of Aldermen to discuss and vote on the revised Union Square Revitalization Plan. Come and observe. Citizen presence is the most important check and balance in governance.

Agenda includes a discussion and possible vote on the Union Square Revitalization Plan.

This meeting is called by the Somerville OSPCD to describe planned changes to Beacon Street. Changes to Beacon Street can affect people from Porter Square to Inman Square.

Agenda will likely include parking lots in Assembly Square in addition to routine cases.

This is the fifth in a series of meetings on proposed changes to Davis Square. Participation is important for a satisfactory outcome.

Key issues are responding to IKEA’s withdrawal from Assembly Square and monitoring the City’s progress with the Comprehensive Plan.

Agenda includes a Public Hearing on the Union Square Revitalization Plan and discussion by the Board of Aldermen meeting as a whole.

Agenda includes committee approval of Union Square Revitalization Plan and possible rescheduling of Public Hearing.

Dear MVTF Supporters, In 2012, Assembly Square is waking up. The new Assembly Square Drive is open, and the MBTA has begun building the Orange Line T-Stop at Assembly Square. Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT) and Avalon Bay are building mixed-use …

Agenda includes report on whether covenants with IKEA and FRIT apply to future purchasers of the IKEA site at Assembly Square. Approval of Union Square Revitalization Plan.

Agenda includes routine modifications and demolitions, the proposed guidelines changes, and the Assembly Row Historic Enhancement Project.

Agenda likely includes a Special Permit for parking lots in Assembly Square blocks 5 and 6 to serve retail in blocks 1, 3, 4.

Agenda includes discussing revisions to the Historic Preservation Commission Guidelines.

Broadway is a key commercial corridor in Somerville. Its urban design can improve the commercial potential of the neighborhood as well as its livability.

Agenda includes the Assembly Square riverfront park along the Mystic between Rt. 28 and the Winter Hill Yacht Club.

Agenda includes changes to the Assembly Row Special Permits requesting more parking spaces for blocks 4, 5, 6.

Agenda includes the Assembly Square 2002 Revitalization Plan authorization for a Minor Plan Change naming the IKEA parcel as an Acquisition Parcel and Disposition Parcel.

A crowd of 80 Union Square residents and other Somerville supporters gathered last night to proclaim Union Square as the heart of diversity with their message: “We support an affordable, diverse Somerville: Let’s keep Union Square a place for everyone!”

Agenda includes the Assembly Square 2002 Revitalization Plan, the Union Square Revitalization Plan, and the proposed SRA website.

Public participation on city square improvements is essential to their success.

Agenda not available. The Trust manages payments made in lieu of affordable housing units required by the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, along with revenues from loans made by the Trust.

The agenda includes resident concerns and reports of the executive director and committees.

Agenda includes ordinance changes to support urban agriculture in Somerville, including farming on municipal land.

Public notice includes a proposed demolition of 336 Summer St., currently designated as historically “significant”.

Ward 6. which includes Davis Square and part of Porter Square, may be affected by the proposed zoning change for Elm Street and Somerville Avenue.

Turning McGrath Highway back into a boulevard would relink parts of Somerville that have long been severed.

Assembly Row and Assembly Square T-Stop development has started. It’s time to move ahead with the Transportation Mitigation Plan.

Public notice includes an ordinance amending the Somerville zoning code to encourage urban agriculture.

Agenda includes the acquisition of 258 Somerville Ave., the status of Assembly Square and Union Square, and the creation of a web page for the SRA.

Agenda includes the FY 2012 budget.

Turning McGrath Highway back into a boulevard would relink parts of Somerville that have long been severed.

The HUD block grants are a very important source of funding for affordable housing in Somerville.

Ceremony marks the start of retail/residential construction of Phase I of the Assembly Square mixed-use development.

Now that the Somerville Comprehensive Plan has been endorsed by the city and adopted by the Planning Board, I would like to pass along a suggestion.

Assembly Row Groundbreaking Ceremony Mon. Apr. 30 10:30 – 11:30 AM Assembly Square Foley St. at Assembly Square Drive Somerville MA (map) Federal Realty and the City of Somerville are sponsoring a formal groundbreaking ceremony for the Assembly Row d…

Environmental mediation in a densely populated city like Somerville is important for public health.

The ResiStat meetings provide an opportunity for citizens to hear what the city government is doing and for the city government to hear citizen’s concerns.

The HUD block grants are a very important source of funding for affordable housing in Somerville.

Agenda includes adopting the Somerville Comprehensive Plan.

Agenda likely includes a resolution of support for the Somerville Comprehensive Plan.

Agenda includes Magoun Square, Union Square, and the Somerville Comprehensive Plan.

The Inner Belt Symposium The Role of Planners Working with Community Groups Wed. Apr. 4 6:00 – 8:00 PM MIT Room 32-155 The Stata Center 32 Vassar St. Cambridge MA (map) The Community Organizers Thurs. Apr. 19 6:00 – 8:00 PM Lecture Hall Cam…

Agenda includes five antenna proposals: 844 McGrath Hwy., 331-333 Broadway, 49 Davis Sq., 15 Weston Ave., 114 Highland Ave.

The Inner Belt struggle was the first time Boston-area neighborhoods stood up for their own interests with regard to transportation improvements.

Somerville residents opposed to Walmart coming to our town have scheduled a campaign day this Saturday, March 31. They will knock on doors, hand out flyers, and ask small

This session explores how progressive transportation and planning policies can strengthen a city’s economy, encourage exciting new urban development, and improve quality of life and long-term sustainability.

This session explores how grassroots, Internet-empowered “tactical urbanism” concepts are changing the way we plan, design and program urban public space.

Agenda includes Magoun Square, Union Square, Somerville Avenue, planned bridge repairs by Mass DOT, and the Comprehensive Plan.

Agenda includes Assembly Square Blocks 1 and 4 and small changes to the Assembly Square PUD. Adopting the Somerville Comprehensive Plan may be deferred.

This is a joint meeting of the BOA Land Use and Housing and Community Development Committees. The agenda includes adopting the Somerville Comprehensive Plan.

Agenda includes evaluating whether the City should adopt the Somerville Comprehensive Plan.

Progressive urban planning requires not only urban transformation, but also neighborhood enhancement and conservation.

Public participation in designing neighborhood T-stops is essential to their success. Come and make your views known.

Join Mass Senior Action in telling the MBTA…”Bail Out the Riders, Build Massachusetts!”

Agenda includes a change to the definition of pervious area that could bar completely paving new construction. (Note: Rescheduled from 3/13/12.)

Public participation in designing neighborhood T-stops is essential to their success. Come and make your views known.

Next to road repairs, community housing has the most immediate effect of all City programs on the day to day lives of Somerville residents. Come and make your views known.

Agenda includes status reports on Assembly Square and the Green Line Extension, acquisition of 258 Somerville Ave.

Agenda includes the proposed rezoning of Somerville Ave. and Elm St. between Porter and Wilson Squares, which is controversial.

The McGrath overpass cuts Somerville in pieces. A boulevard would work better with the new Green Line T-Stop at Union Square.

Community corridor planning is essential to making the best use of the new Green Line T-Stops. Come and make your voices heard.

Agenda includes routine variances, such as 143-145 Cedar St. (10 unit residential), 11-15 Holland St. (fast-food restaurant), 39-43 Elmwood (3 buildings, 9 unit residential).

Agenda includes Assembly Square Order of Conditions (OOC) for changes to Block 3 and to Shore Drive in Ten Hills.

Agenda not available (2/20/12). The Design Review Committee provides design criteria, guidance and recommendations to permit applicants. Its mandate is to maintain and enhance the natural, aesthetic, and cultural heritage of the City and to preserve the value of land and buildings.

Agenda includes a hearing for a small R & D use (230 Somerville Ave).

Agenda includes routine variances and, in executive session, a discussion of current litigation regarding 369-371 Beacon St.

Agenda includes further discussion and possible vote on the Porter Square/Wilson Square zoning change, which has proved controversial.

Agenda includes resident concerns and report of committees on Resident Services, Public Safety, Safety, Major Projects, and Finance.

Agenda includes further discussion and possible vote on the Porter Square/Wilson Square zoning change, which has proved controversial.

Agenda includes (16 Linden St.) a variance to add a 5-unit residence to a lot that already has a 3-unit structure and (485 Mystic Valley Pkwy.) convert the Mystic Water Works property into 60 affordable housing units.

Agenda not available (1/1/12). The Design Review Committee provides design criteria, guidance and recommendations to permit applicants. Its mandate is to maintain and enhance the natural, aesthetic, and cultural heritage of the City and to preserve the value of land and buildings.

Agenda includes the proposed zoning changes to Somerville Avenue from Wilson Square to Porter Square, White Street, and Elm Street from White Street to Wilson Square. “What’s in it for us?”

Agenda includes converting the existing Mystic Water Works into a 25 unit affordable housing apartment building.

The City of Somerville is proposing zoning changes to Somerville Avenue from Wilson Square to Porter Square, White Street, and Elm Street from White Street to Wilson Square. While this zoning change can bring definite benefits to the city in tax revenue, some abutters are asking “What’s in it for us?”

The City of Somerville submitted a variance application on December 2, 2011 that stated that a “proposed secondary stair case” was being considered for the west sidewalks of Lowell St. Bridge into the future Max’sGreen. Since there’s already a staircase less than 200 feet away, why does the City want to waste 109K of public funds on that second staircase?

According to state law, Redevelopment Authorities are empowered to buy and sell property, acquire property through eminent domain, and grant tax concessions. Agenda not available (12/11/11).

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 CIP includes the Green Line Extension and the Assembly Square T-Stop.

Agenda includes contract awards and (in executive session) watershed land acquisition approval and ratification of collective bargaining agreements with Steelworkers and Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists.

Continuing the Green Line Extension to Mystic Valley Parkway will complete the integration of West Somerville and Medford into the Green Line.

Light rail mass transit is a good thing, but directing commuter rail trains, including diesel trains, through the middle of Cambridge is controversial.

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Design Review Committee. Agenda not available (12/4/11).

Agenda includes 343-351 Summer St., a controversial development that includes residential and a replacement for the existing VFW club.

Interactive Somerville is running a design competition for the area around the proposed Gilman Square station.

The Mystic Riverfront Park upgrades are a big part of the improvements to Assembly Square resulting from the Assembly Square PUD.

Agenda contains 379 Somerville Ave., signage for a by-right restaurant.

Agenda not available (11/29/11). This meeting will most likely discuss property tax percentages for fiscal year 2012.

Agenda includes 485 Mystic Valley Pkwy, a project converting the exising Mystic Water Works into 25 affordable units of housing and replacing an existing office building with 35 affordable units.

Agenda includes the acquisition of 258 Somerville Ave. and updates on Assembly Square and Union Square. Note: the Somerville Redevelopment Authority does not have a web page.

Agenda includes an update on the Order of Conditions for Assembly Square and a new fence for the Bike Path Community Garden.

Agenda includes 343-351 Summer St., a mixed-use building including a new VFW hall near Davis Square.

This is a first look at the proposed design for the Community Path. All concerned with the path and the Green Line Extension should show up and comment.

Agenda includes an update on the Somerville Comprehensive Plan and a signage change at a restaurant at 379 Somerville Ave. Note change of venue.

Although there appears to be  a lot of neighborly opposition to SCC’s 181 Washington Street proposed development at this time, the Boston Society of Architects is calling it an “active project.” Below, information about the…

Join us for a discussion on how this will affect the community and what you can do about it!

It is very important that the public catch up with the Assembly Square T-stop project progress and decisions.

The comment period ends 11/23/11. This is your chance to provide input to Federal guidelines on access by persons with disabilities.

These meetings are an important way to make your needs known to Somerville government. Show up and make your voice heard.

Over 80% of Somerville’s new sidewalks and curb cuts, installed since 2004, are hazardous for people with various types of disabilities (one-in-five). These infrastructure improvements don’t even adhere to basic, standard building code. See a listing of the first 50 locations that the City of Somerville promises to re-do, equalling about $500K wasted the first time around- for starters.

October, 2011:  The Somerville Community Corporation is organizing strategy sessions to get more affordable housing in Somerville by “strengthening our city’s inclusionary zoning ordinance.”

The Community Access Project has placed a FOI request to the…

Agenda includes Assembly Square Blocks 1 and 4 and sewer and drain work in Ten Hills. This work helps fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

The group will review the draft comprehensive plan document and discuss the stakeholder’s presentation.

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Design Review Committee. Agenda not posted (10/23/11).

Agenda includes 16 Linden St., constructing 5 dwelling units on a lot with 3 existing units for a total of 8.

Agenda includes a special permit for dry boat storage at 74 Foley Street in Assembly Square, possibly for boats from the Winter Hill Yacht Club.

Agenda includes 343-351 Summer St. for a special permit to develop a new two to three story mixed-use building consisting of a VFW hall and 31 residential units.

Agenda includes Assembly Square Block 3, a Special Permit for two levels of retail and restaurant, including a 12-screen cinema, with residential above. This development helps fulfil the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

I was looking at plans for a house that’s going to be built behind mine, and just got it’s ZBA stamp of approval, and realized that they hadn’t fixed the stairway.  For the first three…

Completing the Green Line Extension to Route 16 is essential to Somerville’s future. Make your voice heard.

The Maintenance Facility is currently located at Option L, as far as possible from Brickbottom. This is a good opportunity to weigh in on this design.

Agenda includes 343-351 Summer St. developing a new two to three story mixed-use building consisting of a VFW hall and 31 residential units.

Agenda includes public hearings on proposed developments at Blocks 1 and 4 of Assembly Square. These developments help fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

Agenda likely includes Assembly Square mixed use buildings on Block 3, including a cinema. These proposals help fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

Agenda will likely include the Avalon Bay developments at Blocks, 1, 3, and 4 and may include prospects for further development.

We will present a summary of the City’s almost finished Comprehensive Plan, followed by discussion. The plan is the product of over two years of work by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.

The group will review the zoning change maps, begin to review the comprehensive plan draft document, and create a map describing future transportation improvements.

Agenda likely includes Assembly Square mixed use buildings on Block 3, including a cinema. These proposals help fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

Disabled residents of Somerville experience disproportionate poverty, substandard housing conditions, and face pervasive exclusion, even in the city’s inclusionary and affordable housing opportunity programs. Today, a FOIA request was lodged to learn how four influential nonprofits guide the City to step up to its obligations to affirmatively further Fair Housing for economically disadvantaged residents.

Although the City of Somerville is well aware that the Armory facility is still inaccessible at the entrance ramp, the Mayor continues to hold important events and meetings here. At the same time, the Architect and Owner continue to claim that various City Departments are refusing to accept an accessible design. Who’s benefitting from this back-and-forth?

The agenda includes 149-151 Washington St. seeking a Special Permit with Design Review to establish a tattoo parlor.

Free walking tour highlighting American Tube Works complex, workers’ housing in Duck Village, and brick row houses along Summer Street with refreshments served at India Palace.

At this meeting the MPO will vote on whether to ignore the needs of Somerville and Medford residents and push back the Green Line Extension to 2018.

An important improvement to McGrath Highway would be to return it to its original concept, as a ground-level boulevard with predestrian crossings.

Agenda includes Assembly Square mixed use buildings on Blocks 1, 3, and 4, including a cinema. These proposals help fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

This is a critical meeting to give your comments on the Green Line extension delay. If you can’t attend either meeting, please send your comments by Sept 13.

The agenda should include removing a loading area from the Block 10 restaurant at 133 Middlesex Avenue in Assembly Square.

MAPC is working with neighboring communities to create a network of safe walking routes to connect neighborhoods with the lower Mystic River, Chelsea Creek, Mill Creek, and the Malden River. You can help.

At this meeting, the city will present a proposed rezoning map depicting zoning changes that will allow for mixed-use development in the key gateways of the Porter and Wilson Square areas.

The Community Access Project did a reality check of the 2010 East Somerville Safe Routes 2 School Map. We found that less than 20% of the pedestrian features are even up to basic standard code. “Safe” is a misnomer.

These streets ain’t fit for walkin’.

It is important to reunite neighborhoods, lower traffic speeds, and add more trees to make McGrath Hwy a boulevard.

The agenda includes upgrades to a building on 70 Inner Belt Road.

The agenda includes removing a loading area from the Block 10 restaurant at 133 Middlesex Avenue in Assembly Square.

The Green Line Extension, a legal obligation of the Commonwealth, has been dropped from the 2012-2015 TIP and delayed until 2018. This not only deprives Somerville of long-needed transit access, it jeopardizes the state’s access to Federal transportation funding.

So far—and rightfully so—Somerville activists have framed proposed development of 378-382 Somerville Avenue as a displacement issue. As predicted, the advent of the Green Line to Union Square would mean gentrification; 378-382 Somerville Avenue, site of proposed luxury condos, is the first incursion.…

“There is no accountability in the existing zoning approval process…. I believe decisions about developments that could substantially impact our neighborhoods should be made by the aldermen, who must answer to the voters every two years.”

The agenda includes a continuance of the review of 343 – 351 Summer St. (site of the existing George Dilboy VFW Post #529) to August 24.

On behalf of Somerville Climate Action we want to express our grave concern with the possibility of Walmart descending upon Somerville.

Not hiring any local people (or making a good faith effort to do so) is an insult to our community. It should be unacceptable to the planning board, the Board of Alderman and all of our elected officials.

The agenda includes 343 – 351 Summer St. (site of the existing George Dilboy VFW Post #529) to build a new two to three story mixed-use building consisting of a VFW hall and 31 residential units with parking lot.

Check out the conceptual proposals and make your views known. Written comments submitted will be posted on the DCR website.

According to articles in the Boston Globe, Somerville Journal, Somerville Patch, and Boston Herald this week, WalMart wants to open “a grocery store” at the site of the defunct Circuit City next to Home Depot…

Rising rents, increased privately-funded housing development, excessive rental burdens, and physically inadequate subsidized housing stock are contributing to Somerville’s transformation into an less diverse, more expensive place to live.

This is a good chance for Somerville residents to help improve our river frontage in Assembly Square.

The agenda includes a public hearing on another extension of the IKEA permits and a continuation of the 378-390 Somerville Avenue development, which is controversial.

Among other business, extending a permit to replace a one-story commercial structure at 292 Beacon Street with a larger 2-1/2 story commercial and residential development.

The following email was sent to me as a subscriber to Change.org. I have forwarded the body of the notice, and you will find the link to the online petition in the text of the story. It brings to mind the maxim that if it sounds too good to be true (as with the detente reached by parties to  Assembly Sq. development/IKEA), it probably is.…

The agenda includes a (continued) public hearing for final approval of the PUD for Assembly Square Block 10 and a hearing for constructing a restaurant on the site. The 378-390 Somerville Avenue hearing is being continued to July 14.

The agenda includes annotating city maps with possible locations of transformational districts, neighborhood infill districts, and other land use categories.

The agenda includes a (continued) public hearing for final approval of the PUD for Assembly Square Block 10 and also a hearing for constructing a restaurant in Assembly Square.

Among other business, the agenda includes converting an auto parts warehouse business to personal trainer and artist studios.

Among other business, the agenda includes reviewing the PUD for Assembly Square Block 10 and a proposed restaurant in Assembly Square.

The Inner Belt, soon to have a new Green Line T-Stop, is one of the few locations in Somerville still available for transformation into an economic powerhouse for Somerville.

The agenda includes a public hearing for final approval of the PUD for Assembly Square Block 10 and also a hearing for constructing a restaurant in Assembly Square.

Among other business, the agenda includes establishing a bus and taxi rental, storage and servicing use on 21 Third Avenue in the Inner Belt. (Somerville could want to use the Inner Belt for a higher use at this point.)

MassDOT and the MBTA are hosting a series of Green Line station design workshops, one for each proposed stop. It is important to integrate the new Green Line stations with the community and with the proposed Community Path. Your participation can help with this process.

Potential zoning changes include architectural design, height, uses, setbacks, dimensional configuration, and parking for each of the key gateways: Wilson Square, Somerville Avenue, White Street, Elm Street, and Mossland Street, as well as the MBTA Air Rights.

This is one of the final hurdles for the long-awaited Orange Line T-Stop at Assembly Square. Please support this development. A T-Stop at Assembly Square will unlock the potential of the site and make possible what Somerville has wanted for more than a decade.

The agenda includes expanding an existing restaurant use on Washington Street.

The agenda includes adding a structure above the hockey rink at Conway Park on Somerville Avenue.

This is one of the final hurdles for the boardwalk under the Wellington Bridge where Rt. 28 passes over the Mystic River at Assembly Square. Please support this development. Lack of a safe, convenient path under Rt. 28 has severed 10 Hills from Assembly Square for a long time.

The agenda includes developments on Somerville Avenue and an update on the Comprehensive Plan.

The agenda includes as item #8 (“Request of MassDOT Legal and Planning Departments to authorize the execution of a Public Funding Agreement for the construction of the Assembly Square Station on the Orange Line”).

This is the final discussion and vote on the DIF bond issue. The City should issue these bonds only with a signed commitment to the “best effort” of Federal Realty to bring R&D/office into Assembly Square.

The agenda is to discuss the Assembly Row Bond issue and a petition by 60 Somerville residents to ensure that development financed by the Assembly Row DIF yield jobs for Somerville residents.

The Committee is calling this meeting to further discuss the Assembly Row DIF Bond issue. If Assembly Row is not developed to produce a high enough tax base, the city could end up repaying this bond from general funds.

Among other business, this meeting will address economic development in Magoun Square, possible use of the Massachusetts Economic Development Incentive Program, and the status of the Comprehensive Plan.

As the plan slowly creeps forward to the urban infill project in Union Square, residents, business owners and visitors are going to have an exceedingly hard time finding parking in and around the area.  It…

A pair of developers with a history of unfulfilled promises, bankruptcy and faulty construction have found a willing partner in the City of Somerville, which will soon enter the final phase of ushering their most embattled plans into reality.

 …

This is a continuation of the 3/31/11 Assembly Row DIF Bond hearing. If Assembly Row is not developed to produce a high enough tax base, the city could end up repaying this bond from general funds.

This meeting includes, among other business, a zoning amendment to change the definition of “pervious area” and update minimum pervious area requirements (comment period closed).

Convened to discuss the Assembly Row DIF Bond proposal. If Assembly Row is not developed to produce a high enough tax base, the city could end up repaying this bond from general funds.

Among other business, this meeting will hold a public hearing on the Special Permit with Site Plan Review for the Assembly Square self-storage facility, 50 Middlesex Avenue.

Among other business, this meeting will deal with the proposed self-storage facility at 50 Middlesex Ave. in Assembly Square.

If Assembly Row is not developed to produce a high enough tax base, the city could end up repaying this bond from general funds.

Includes a public hearing on changes to the definition of “pervious area” in the zoning and to require a minimum pervious area in certain districts.

The master plan for the self-storage facility at 50 Middlesex Avenue in Assembly Square is to be presented.

Please join us in our efforts to connect the Minuteman Bikeway and Charles River path networks, by extending the Community Path!…

Among other business, this meeting will deal with the proposed self-storage facility at 50 Middlesex Ave. in Assembly Square, and with changes to the design of 100 Temple St. (St. Polycarp Redevelopment).

These meetings provide an important opportunity to weigh in on the direction Somerville is setting for its future.

The Governing Body determines how much of the tax increment from DIF districts is used for district improvements and how much is returned to the city general fund.

More than 50 Somerville residents signed a petition requesting a hearing by the Board of Alderman on union jobs and local hiring.

The hearing will be at 6:00 PM on February 17. There will be a short rally beforehand at 5:45 PM.…

At this meeting the group will continue to build maps showing future development districts in Somerville.

At this meeting the group will continue to build maps showing future development districts in Somerville.

At this meeting the group will continue to build maps showing future development districts in Somerville.

This hearing will receive public input on the use of union labor at the MaxPac site.

Cases include a special permit for Medium Retail and Service uses at 130 Broadway.

This is the meeting to get to! The group will begin a city-wide land use map showing the proposed development areas and their categorizations.

This meeting will discuss a petition for a public hearing on the use of union labor at the MaxPac site, along with a home-rule petition to streamline administration.

This meeting will discuss a five-story residential building at 378-390 Somerville Avenue, among other business.

At this meeting, the committee will work toward a consensus on the Goals and Actions and begin work on land use mapping.

Every development in Somerville should contribute to meeting our environmental goals. Assembly Square should not be exempted.

The groups fighting for the inclusion of local residents and union jobs on the proposed MaxPac development petitioned the Board of Aldermen on December 22 to hold a hearing on the Covenant language for union jobs that KSS Realty signed with the City of Somerville.

Cases include revision to a special permit for 199 residential units at 56-61 Clyde Street and review of six ZBA cases.

Somerville, Boston and Cambridge Human rights activists encouraged the BOA Public Health and Safety Committee to allow economic integration, safety, inclusion and accessibility to trump aesthetics at a recent Meeting.

Following Alderman White’s assurance that the Board was only voting for the DIF and not on the actual bonds to fund the DIF, the Somerville Board of Aldermen voted 9-1 (Alderman Gewirtz dissented; Alderman Trane recused himself) to move the proposed Assembly Square DIF to the full Board for a vote at the Special Meeting scheduled for this Thursday.  …

If implemented as planned, this DIF will very likely result in developments that only cover debt service on the DIF bonds themselves. The rest of Somerville will pay for the city services required by those developments.

If implemented incorrectly, self-storage in Assembly Square could discourage higher-value uses, which we need more than ever now that infrastructure and Orange Line funding have gone away.

The Mystic View Task Force has sent a letter to the City urging delay in voting on the proposed Assembly Row DIF. While we believe that a DIF may be the best available mechanism for moving forward on Assembly Square development, we are concerned that the proposed DIF puts a disproportionate share of risk on the City and fails to adequately hold the developer accountable. Please join us at Tuesday’s Finance Committee meeting (Nov. 30 at 7pm at City Hall) to support our call for a delay in the decision on the DIF to allow time for adequate analysis and the opportunity to negotiate a better proposal.

Residents of Somerville concerned about the development of the old MaxPak paper factory where 199 units of new housing are being built will picket and rally for jobs at the entrance to the site (56-61 Clyde Street) in Somerville, MA on Thursday, Dec 2 from 6:00 to 9:00 AM.…

There is now a $63 M gap in infrastructure funding for Assembly Square. The Orange Line T-Stop and the rest of the development is in jeopardy unless we close the gap by a combination of stopgap funding and a $25 M DIF in Assembly Square.

Under the proposed DIF, increases in Assembly Square tax revenue would be diverted to pay for the infrastructure. If tax revenues were inadequate, the taxpayers would foot the bill.

The proposed changes to simplify the review process for ZBA cases will consolidate all direct citizen input into one public hearing. Unless handled well, this could make it harder for citizens to make their voices heard.

The sole item on the agenda is adopting the Stretch Energy Code as Energy Code for Somerville. This important sustainability measure is in jeopardy in Somerville.

This meeting gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

Large Retail Cluster Parking: Proposal is to double the parking requirement for large retail (> 25,000 s.f.). Staff believes that because Somerville has little parking available, the effect will be to discourage suburban format in Somerville. Developers would have to build parking garages, which is expensive.

The meeting will include:

* A brief history of the Friends of the Community Path
* An update on current status of the proposed Path extension
* An overview of our goals and activities
* A discussion of the kinds of help we often need (attending meetings/events, taking minutes, tabling, strategizing, making inroads, mapping, urban planning, writing, fund raising, research, press announcements, technical, web/blog, social networking, schlepping, etc.)
* Q&A

The joint subcommittee meetings will address conflicts between worthy goals. For instance, increasing tax revenue by commercial development may conflict with increasing affordable housing and maintaining neighborhood character.

At this meeting, the group will review the draft Comprehensive Plan. Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan. This is a public meeting; any citizen is entitled to observe.

The agenda includes the following:

* Change to the zoning ordinance to allow self-storage in Assembly Square
* Changes to the zoning ordinance to revise the procedures for reviewing Special Permits, Special Permits with Site Plan Approval, and variances
* Changes to the zoning ordinance to revise the parking requirements for large scale retail
* Change to the zoning ordinance to allow Historic Carriage House as a use in certain districts
* Special permit to allow Federal Realty to exceed signage size requirements in Assembly Square.

According to the paper agenda, this meeting will be devoted to Zoning Board of Appeals matters. The Self-Storage change of use ordinance, along with others, will be dealt with at the November 4 public hearing.

The e-mailed agenda includes the following:

* MBTA Green Line Maintenance Facility, including air rights and a possible stadium.
* Support for Green Line Extension to Route 16
* Impacts of Green Line track layout around Brickbottom
* Traffic redesign for Union Square

This is the regular planning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will finish reviewing the policies and actions.

Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan. This is a public meeting; any citizen is entitled to observe.

This meeting will likely deal with the proposed change of zoning to allow self-storage in the Assembly Square Planned Unit Development. There may be a public hearing in joint session with the Land Use Committee.

A Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, October 6th at 7pm at the Aldermanic Chambers to discuss the District Improvement Financing (DIF) Program covering Union Square, Boynton Yards, Inner Belt, and Somerville Avenue. This is displayed prominently on the City’s homepage.

This program will affect Somerville financing for the next 30 years and could result, in the future, in property takings by the city.

If you’re a fan of small independent businesses such as Ricky’s Flower Market and the Reliable Market in Union Square — and even if you’re not — you should take a closer look at the city’s proposal for District Improvement Financing that was unveiled on September 15.

These are two identical presentations on the Green Line Extension station design guidelines and requirements. The Tuesday presentation is in Somerville; the same presentation is being given on Wednesday in Medford.

The Green Line Extension stations are now being designed. If you want input into the design, attend one of these meetings and ask questions.

The Mystic View Task Force will hold its annual meeting at 1:30 P.M., Saturday, September 25, 2010, at the Third Life Studio, 33 Union Square, Somerville.

A change-of-use ordinance is being submitted to the Board of Aldermen to allow self-storage/wholesale storage in locations in Assembly Square near I-93 and not suitable for better development. I understand that the goal is to allow a developer to place a self-storage facility at the foot of Foley Street, replacing a truck storage facility near the current (poorly-maintained) pedestrian underpass from Assembly Square to the Stop & Shop on Mystic Avenue. The underlying urban design problem is how to use a development in this location to establish a pedestrian-friendly gateway to Assembly Square, given (a) the planned Assembly Square T-Stop at the head of Foley Street and (b) a proposed Foley Street connection under I-93 to East Somerville.

Land use planning is the primary function of municipal government. This ordinance provides an ideal opportunity to observe and participate in the public land use process, from Ordinance to Planning Board special permit.

As the City continues to move ahead with the focus group meetings, our community meetings are vital to ensure that our neighborhood works together so that the site of the Powderhouse Community School is reused in a way that is most beneficial to our neighborhood AND to our city.

The following is a letter that was submitted to the Board of Aldermen at last Thursday’s meeting by a group of concerned residents. Do you share these concerns?…

This meeting is expected to include a proposed zoning change to allow self-storage facilities in Assembly Square, which should be referred to the Land Use Committee.

Public input is needed on accessibility, waterfront and water activities design, and pedestrian and bicycle access along Foley Street.

The HUD grants are applied to the problems of homelessness, affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and parks and open space. Citizen input is helpful in setting priorities.

District Improvement Financing is useful in building tax revenue, provided the projects supported are high enough in density to provide adequate tax base. If they aren’t, the city is on the hook.

299 Broadway (Ocean State Job Lot): Denied. Assembly Square PUD (Assembly Square Drive subdivision): Approved. 90 Union Square: Continued. 425 Broadway (wireless equipment): Approved, on to ZBA. 221 Morrison Ave. (historic B&B): Approved, on to ZBA. 25 Hamlet St. (barn replaced with duplex): Approved, on to ZBA. 42-44 Boston Ave. (deck and stairs): Approved, on to ZBA. 270 Cedar St. (9 residences, parking space count variance): Special Permit withdrawn, variance approved, on to ZBA. Staff not available to do minutes, CD recording available on request.

This is the regular monthly meeting of the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, which acts to set aside historic buildings and districts throughout Somerville. Designating historic buildings preserves Somerville’s history and may increase property values.

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Planning Board. 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.

(Part 3) 61 Medford Street. Liquid Nitrogen tank at Biogen, safety concerns, approved. 13A Beacon. Expand windows, replace other windows. Approved. 26 Wheatland St. Condo construction without permit, halt order. Triple permit fee charged. 24 Fairmount. Permit to rectify a basement apartment, never legal. Accepted staff recommendation. 162 Highland. Vote to reaffirm previous rate.

(Part 2) Public hearing on Ocean State Job Lot at 299 Broadway. Four in favor, twelve against. One report of possible grocery store. Written testimony accepted until noon Friday, August 27. Discussion to resume Thursday, Sept. 2, at 6 PM.

(Part 1) The Planning Board voted 5-0 to DENY the special permit to subdivide One Benton Road to add a second condo development for the reason that no conditions could assuage the issues of public safety, devaluation of neighbors’ property, previous character of the site, and scale. [COMMENT: The city evidently expects litigation as a result of this decision.]

Second community meeting. Mixed response from neighborhood. Some felt something was better than nothing, others thought we should stick to the new zoning plan. Key point: minimum 10 year lease, could be as long as 25 years. City expects change in neighborhood in 10 years, after Green Line comes in.

This is the regular monthly meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The Strategic Planning staff is drafting the Comprehensive Plan. Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan.

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Planning Board. This meeting will deal with an ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville development, Ocean State Job Lot at 299 Broadway. The Planning Board holds public hearings and grants permits for special districts, such as Planned Unit Developments.

This is a rescheduled meeting of the Somerville Planning Board. The original meeting was scheduled 8/19. This meeting deals with ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville developments: One Benton Road and Ocean State Job Lots at 299 Broadway.

This meeting was called by Ocean State Job Lot to reintroduce themselves as a potential tenant at 299 Broadway, the former Star Market site. The previous meeting did not elicit public support. This meeting is worth attending because this use is inconsistent with the new Winter Hill zoning, could tie up the site for a long time, and could affect local property values.

Three years after the Somerville Avenue Reconstruction Project began, Union Square businesses are still hindered by lack of thoughtful pedestrian planning during construction; and Union Square residents, visitors and workers are still unable to walk these streets with confidence and comfort.

Currently the Steering Committee is working on policies and actions to implement the plan. Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan.

This meeting was devoted entirely to passing the proposed modifications to the Preliminary Master Plan for Assembly Square. The Planning Staff had asked Federal Realty to generalize the use mix from Office and R&D because Somerville zoning has a very narrow definition of Office use. Federal Realty widened the definition to include all Somerville uses under special permit. The Planning Board stated that in the absence of any opposition, they would waive the reading of the 70 conditions and voted to approve the changes to the PUD. Some citizens present had expected to have a period for written comment before the vote.

299 Broadway (Ocean State Job Lot): Case postponed. 90 Hudson Street: Granted unanimously. One Benton Road: Heard testimony of traffic study, hearing to be reopened, Executive Session to be scheduled to deal with litigation strategy. 67 Florence St.: 2/3 variances denied. 16 Browning Road: Variance allowed unanimously. Historic Group C Designation: Approved with understanding that a person who wants out should say so and BOA is to investigate the case and decide.

At issue was consolidating an undesignated historic property at 221 Morrison Avenue (near Davis Square) with two previously designated properties on Morrison (222 and 197) to form the Morrison Avenue Historic District. The two owners of 221 Morrison Ave. were present to testify in favor. Passed after discussion. Question addressed of why designate single buildings? Answer: easier to execute than a whole street.

At this meeting we will be discussing the policies and actions derived from the comprehensive plan goals. This meeting is important because Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan.

This meeting is important because it deals with ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville developments. At this meeting, the Planning Board is scheduled to hear testimony on the Ocean State Job Lots special permit (a Large Format Retail use at 299 Broadway) and may address the 1 Benton Road special permit.

This meeting is important because historic districts on the one hand preserve historic properties for later generations, and on the other hand can prove expensive and inconvenient for property owners in the district.

This meeting was unexpectedly testy. Apparently the neighborhood isn’t convinced that Ocean State Job Lot is the best use for the site. What was said in the meeting is NOT part of the official record. There is a special permit process before Planning Board, including determination of consistency with purpose of zoning. If you want to send written testimony before July 15 Planning Board hearing, send to OSPCD (Rob May), Planning Department, Planning Board. Otherwise, go to Planning Board hearing July 15 @ 6 PM and provide oral testimony.

Controversial cases carried over: 1 Benton Road, Ocean State Job Lot. Other cases: NSTAR employee parking lot, SCC/CASPAR ex-homeless permanent housing, parking variance at 308 Beacon Street. Important discussion of historic preservation policy.

At this meeting we will discuss the progress of the infrastructure improvements, Ch 91 licenses, and a proposed amendment to the Assembly Square Master Plan. This meeting is important because it provides a last chance to weigh into the development process at Assembly Square.

This meeting is important because this use could tie up the site for a long time and affect local property values.

Construction starting right now on roads and infrastructure at and around Assembly Square. IKEA not to start construction until after Spring 2011. Planned improvements to Kensington Ave. pedestrian crossing from Stop & Shop to Assembly Square.

All citizens of Somerville and Medford should evaluate this document and give feedback, because this is one of the final steps before the project begins implementation. Written comments will be accepted until July 23.

All citizens of Somerville and Medford should evaluate this document and give feedback, because this is one of the final steps before the project begins implementation. Written comments will be accepted until July 23 at holly.s.johnson@state.ma.us.

This meeting is important because it deals with ongoing Somerville developments.

All citizens of Somerville and Medford should evaluate this document and give feedback, because this is one of the final steps before the project begins implementation. There will be a public meeting on June 30. Written comments will be accepted until July 23 at holly.s.johnson@state.ma.us.

This film is important because parts of Somerville are environmental justice areas close to pollution sources and suffer higher than average levels of heart and lung disease.

This meeting is important because Somerville Historic Districts are important to maintaining the city’s character and to controlling development.

This meeting is important because it deals with ongoing developments at Assembly Square and East Somerville.

This meeting is important because it relates to the ongoing Green Line Extension.

This meeting is important because it provides an early opportunity to influence future plans for Davis Square.

This meeting is important because it reports how livable, transit-oriented development is being supported by the current administration.

This meeting is important because it deals with citizen-initiated zoning changes.

This meeting is important because it gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

This meeting is important because Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan. This meeting is open to the public.

This meeting is important because charter amendments are always important, and adopting the Stretch Energy Code will reduce environmental impact throughout Somerville.

The Architectural Access Board will hold a Hearing on 18 Architectural Access Code Violations for Arts at the Armory facility on Monday, May 24, at 1 p.m.

back story: On February 8, Building…

This meeting is important because it gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

This meeting is important because it gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

This event is important because it puts interesting parts of Somerville, such as the bank of the Mystic, on display.

This meeting is important because it gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

This meeting is important because it relates to land use around the new Green Line stations in Somerville and to the forthcoming Comprehensive Plan for Somerville.

This meeting is important because it relates to land use around the new Green Line station at Lechmere.

This meeting is important because it relates to land use around the new Green Line stations at Ball Square and College Avenue.

This meeting includes a continuation of the 1 Benton Road case, which has proved controversial.

This Planning Board meeting included continuing hearings on 79-83 Broadway (slightly controversial), 39R Medford St., and 1 Benton Rd. (also controversial). There was also a discussion of declaring properties part of historical districts, sometimes controversial.

Join your neighbors to learn how the City is moving forward with its plans for the disposition of the Powder House Community School property. Discuss how we can keep our concerns about the reuse of this property at the forefront of the decision making process.

At this meeting, citizens will evaluate professional designs and documentation for the Green stations in your neighborhood.

This meeting is important because it begins work on sustainable station designs for the Green Line Extension.

This meeting is important because it provides background information on sustainable station designs for the Green Line Extension.

This meeting is important because it relates to Green Line Extension economic development around Magoun Square.

This meeting is important because adopting the Stretch Energy Code will reduce energy use and environmental impact for all residences and businesses in Somerville.

“I hope you all get some power someday, so you’ll know what it’s like to have to satisfy your constituents’ demands with a limited budget.”

Attended meeting. Ald. Gewirtz, Heuston, Pero, Sullivan present. Staff including Monica Lamboy and representative of City Solicitor present. Also Joe Grafton of Somerville Local First, Tom Bent of Chamber of Commerce.

This event features presentations by local “green” businesses and tips for utilizing more sustainable and energy-efficient practices. A key part of sustainable development is making it a profit center for Somerville.

PARTICIPATE IN POWDER HOUSE COMMUNITY SCHOOL REUSE FOCUS GROUP: The City of Somerville is seeking community volunteers to participate in a Powder House/Teele Square Focus Group. The Group will be led by City staff to…

Depending upon the agenda, the Committee on Housing and Community Development may make decisions fundamental to Somerville’s future. Meetings of the Aldermen as a whole usually deal with important issues.

This meeting is important because it deals with ongoing Somerville developments.

Depending upon the agenda, the Zoning Board of Appeals may make decisions fundamental to Somerville’s future.

This meeting is important because Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan. This is a public meeting; any citizen is entitled to observe.

Depending upon the agenda, the Committee on Housing and Community Development may make decisions fundamental to Somerville’s future.

This meeting is important because the Somerville Open Space and Recreation Plan, which relates to state and federal funding, is being extended.

This meeting is important because Somerville’s use of public transit, already high, will increase as the Green Line Extension and Assembly Square Orange Line stop come in.

Attended Planning Board meeting 4/15/10. About 12 citizens attending. Printed agenda marked “Modified”. IKEA waterside permit voided. MaxPac plan changes. Argument over residential density and the tax base. Antennas on residential bldgs provide revenue, but come with safety concerns. Permit streamlining.

Davis Square Visioning Meeting

Wed. Apr. 28 6:30 PM

Tufts Administration Building (TAB)
167 Holland St.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Alderman Gewirtz…

Harvard Infrastructure Sustainability & Design Conference

Wed. Apr. 21 – Fri. Apr. 23

Harvard University Graduate School of Design
48 Quincy St.
Cambridge MA (map)

This conference explores…

Blueback Herring River Route Community Meeting

Wed. Apr. 21 6:30 PM

Elizabeth Peabody House
277 Broadway
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, a followup to the March 10 meeting…

Volunteers are needed to clean the Mystic River banks and remove shopping carts and other debris from the river. Supplies will be provided. This event is sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association and the Gentle Giant Rowing Club.

Zoning Board of Appeals Hearing

Wed. Apr. 14, 6:00 PM

Aldermanic Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda Not Available (4/11/10)

This is…

Planning Board Meeting

Thurs. Apr. 15, 6:00 PM

Aldermanic Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda Not Available (4/11/10)

This is the regular…

The morning of April 5th marked the beginning of the much anticipated renewal of Magoun Square along with (finally) validating those obnoxious green signs at the beginning and in the heart of the square announcing the renovation. One would think that I, both a resident and daughter of a former Magoun Square business owner, would be relieved to see the State and City walk the walk after talking the talk for so long, but I must admit that I am worried. …

Apply now for membership, to advise on station designs for Brickbottom, Gilman Square, Lowell Street, Ball Square, College Avenue, and Union Square.

2010-2011 HUD Action Plan Public Hearing

Thurs. Apr. 8 6:30 PM

Ralph and Jenny Center
9 New Washington St.
Somerville MA

[Facility is near the corner of Inner Belt Rd…

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Tues. Apr. 6 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the third planning meeting…