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

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. the City requested to forego creating an adjacent ramp route; claiming it would be “redundant.”

The Community Access Project and the Boston Center for Independent Living sent an Opposition letter to the State Board regarding this Variance. Five photos of the “proposed secondary” pedestrian route included here.

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.

Public participation in station designs is essential to making them work with the neighborhoods.

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.

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

This is the regular meeting of the Mystic River Watershed Steering Committee. This committee, sponsored by the Federal EPA, works to improve water quality and environmental conditions in the Mystic River watershed. Agenda not available (12/4/11).

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 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.

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.

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.

Melissa Hoffer of the Conservation Law Foundation will speak on the role of legal advocacy in environmental protection and restoration.

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.

At Chester and Elm Streets in Davis Square, the brick curb cuts have been replaced with concrete, compliant ones. People using wheelchairs and other rolling mobility devices at this location can now rock and roll to the beat of the Ville, knowing that they don’t have to “pull the hill” at either end of the crosswalk. Keep up the good work, Mayor Joe!

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.

This hearing is preceded at 6:00 by a Shovel Ready Rally and Mock Groundbreaking in front of Somerville High School to protest Green Line delays. It is essential that the Green Line Extension be carried out on time with responsible attention to environmental impacts.

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.

Extending the Community Path along the proposed Green Line spur will encourage people to bike and walk through central Somerville.

The latest robocall announced the 4th Annual Riverfest, Saturday, 9/17, featuring “fireworks, entertainment, food and family activities” for Somerville residents. The familiar and friendly voice of Jackie Rossetti encouraged residents to participate. The latter part…

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.

Ward 7 Alderperson Candidate Joan Whitney Puglia is proving to have a keen awareness of conditions around town.  Her mention of Dilboy Field‘s tot lot and baseball field has the Community Access Project members…

Saying, “the Community Preservation Act (CPA) could generate millions of dollars for affordable family housing, open space and historic preservation”, Ward 7 alderman candidate Joan Whitney Puglia has announced her support for a city-wide referendum seeking adoption of the Act.…

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.

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…

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

Black Swallowwort (AKA “dog-strangling vine”) is one of the most aggressive invasive weeds, and has spread throughout Somerville.

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.

Join us for an evening of festivities, fun and film as we kick off our new campaign
to get 350 NEW actions to make Somerville a cleaner, greener, healthier place to live

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.

We’ll begin with WATERS OF MISSI-TUK – a 27-minute documentary that takes a 400-year historical review of development of the Mystic River Watershed – followed by THE WORK OF 1000, about environmental visionary and citizen-activist Marion Stoddart, who helped turn the Nashua River from one of the most polluted rivers in America into a clean, healthy environment for wildlife and people.

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.

In the next several weeks, specifications and architectural plans will be sent out as a bid package for contractors to price. As someone familiar with the design of the green roof planned for the building…

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).

Representative Denise Provost and Somerville Climate Action Film Series present:
GASLAND on Monday April 11th, 6:30 pm, followed by a discussion with Denise Hard, Director of New England Food and Water Watch.

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.

FILM SCREENING

Somerville Climate Action & Representative Denise Provost Film Series present

The Economics of Happiness
followed by a discussion with Julie Matthaei, Economics Professor at Wellesley College

Monday March 28th, 6:30…

Communities are coming together to rebuild more human scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm – an economics of localization.

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.

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.

Somerville is embarking on a year long 350 Actions Challenge! Somerville Climate Action and partner organizations (in this case theMOVE), will be helping our community take 350 tangible steps to build a resilient, just, and sustainable community.

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.

Happy snow emergency! Do you know where your towing dollars go?

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.

Please join us in our efforts to extend the Community Path to the Charles River!

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.

Drought, climate change, and even war are all directly related to the way we are treating dirt. State Representative Denise Provost and Somerville Climate Action present: DIRT! THE MOVIE, followed by a discussion

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.

We will be prioritizing our action list this meeting. We are looking for new members to help us with our mission of extending the Community Path (along part of the future Green Line route) to the Charles River.
Meeting is at the VNA, 259 Lowell Street.

The agenda includes the MBTA Green Line Maintenance Facility, including air rights and a possible stadium, and impacts of the Green Line track layout around Brickbottom.

Putting the Grand Junction in use will increase rail traffic next to Brickbottom, which already lives with existing Commuter Rail service and shortly will live with the Green Line extension.

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.

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.

This new film by SCATV Executive Director Wendy Blom looks at the science behind climate change and how Somerville organizations, government, and residents are working to adapt to the changes that are predicted for the area. …

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.

Last night, I was the only member of the public to attend a City planning meeting for the renovation of the North Street Playground.

Hello from the Groundwork Somerville SoilCycle team!

We’re posting today to inform you of an exciting upcoming opportunity to expand your composting skills and jump aboard with vermicomposting!!!  This workshop will provide you with everything you need to take home a “kitchen scrap-ready” worm bin and will provide you with a group technical assistance session to answer any questions you may have about beginning to compost in your home.…

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.

On Saturday, November 13, Groundwork Somerville will hold its first-ever fall Green-a-thon from 10-2. It’s a way to DOUBLE your support for a greener city, by participating in a cleanup AND raising money for Groundwork’s fabulous programs.…

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.

A City of Somerville Public Announcement:

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Robert Trane invited all interested community members to a community meeting to discuss renovation plans for the North…

What happens when many passionate people care about an important issue? A movement is created, a movement strong enough to inspire others to make change. Bioneers By The Bay is a conference that feeds a movement and wants to connect people from America to unite and fight for a more eco-friendly world.…

Kenilworth Park, Washington, D.C., October 22, 2010—

In response to an urgent call to action by environmental groups and federal agencies that have prioritized efforts to clean-up the Anacostia River, on…

Over coming generations, ocean acidification may cause massive die-offs of fish species. Our descendants may inherit a world without fish.

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.

What do you think about using over 40,000 acres of farm land, 20-24 inches of rain/irrigation water, and countless barrels of fuel to plant, cultivate, harvest, and ship a fruit that is primarily purchased for the purpose of being decorated, displayed in the front yard until it’s smashed in the street or overcome with rot and mold, and then thrown unceremoniously in the trash?

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.

Somerville Climate Action and co-sponsors Groundwork Somerville, Mystic River Watershed Association, Students for a Just and Stable Future, and Ocean River Institute held a successful de-paving event on Monday, taking up asphalt in 2 yards…

Somerville is 78% covered by impervious surface! This spring and summer brought flooding, extreme heat, and poor air quality, all of which are projected to get worse as the planet heats up. One effective way to mitigate these impacts is by de-paving and creating new green space.

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.

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.

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.]

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.

Local Roots Food and Music Festival tickets available online at Brown Paper Tickets!

Hey folks!

You can now purchase tickets for the Local Roots Food and Music Festival online at Brown Paper Tickets!…

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.

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.

Welcome to DogFest 2010!  It is sure to be a day of fun for your whole family, including your dog!  Exciting demonstrations, educational opportunities and lots of fun are all here, rain or shine.  Well-mannered dogs, current on vaccinations and on-leash, are welcome.  All proceeds benefit Northeast Animal Shelter.Admission is free!…

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.

An invasive weed threatens the monarch butterflies.

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.

Environmental and safety concerns haunt this lovely park. Joe’s Astroturf and Streetscape SNAFUS don’t help, either…

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 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.

This workshop sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is intended to train volunteers to join MyRWA’s water quality monitoring program. This important program keeps tabs on the Mystic year round regardless of weather.

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.

· Screening of A Sea Change: Imagine a World Without Fish, Sat. 6/26 7 – 9 pm at First Church Somerville, 89 College Avenue.   This newly released film is about ocean acidification, climate change, and…

The annual Somerville LIVING GREEN FESTIVAL will take place Thur. 6/24 6 – 9 pm Argenziano School, 290 Washington Street, Union Square

Learn to live green(er)!  Topics will include saving energy & money, gardening…

Tuesday, June 22nd through Sunday, June 27th, 2010 is SOMERVILLE CLIMATE WEEK!

· Somerville Welcomes Climate Riders! Tues. 6/22 to Sun. 6/27

Somerville hosts six New England Climate Summer Student Riders who…

This meeting is important because composted Somerville garbage could be used on Somerville gardens, and because 77% of Somerville surfaces are paved.

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 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.

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.

Wednesday, May 26 for the Green Garden Skill-Share and screening of Aftermath: Population Zero

Sponsored by Representative Denise Provost, Somerville Climate Action, and the Initiating Committee of Transition Somerville
Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland…

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.