Committee Report - Housing - 10-18-10 — File 190312

October 18, 2010 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 10/26/2010 REPORT OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Rebekah L. Gewirtz Chair Present Walter F. Pero Vice Chair Absent Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Michael Lambert Director of Transportation Present President Connolly appointed Alderman Heuston to the committee for this meeting only, to establish a quorum. 185966 - MBTA Deputy Director of Planning Responding to #185663 Re: Proposed MBTA Green Line Maintenance Facility.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 188946 - That the Director of SPCD and the Consultant Appear Before the Committee on Housing and Community Development to Discuss the Proposed Traffic Redesign for the Union Sq. Area: Mr. Lambert informed the members that a group of students from MIT, hired by the state, would undertake a study of the previous conditions and the new design and that the city would wait until this study is completed before selecting the design to implement. Members expressed concern about the report’s objectivity, the amount of community input being obtained and the MIT students’ familiarity with the concerns of the community. Members asked a series of questions that Mr. Lambert said he would get answers to and report to the committee at its next meeting. Mr. Lambert stated that Prospect and Webster Streets would be changed to 2-way streets. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 11/29/2010 6:30 PM 190096 - That the Director of SPCD provide this Board with information regarding the Green Line extension track layout and its impacts around the Brickbottom area, addressing such issues as: recent survey information which shows property lines closer

Committee Meeting October 18, 2010 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 10/26/2010 than originally anticipated; Mass DOT's plans to use a "five foot strip" on the Union Square side; and the entire right of way on the mainline side and track alignments.: Mr. Lambert reviewed a map of the property lines and discussed Mass DOT mitigating impacts. He also spoke of a mitigation process with the MBTA to avoid litigation. Members of the public spoke of their concerns regarding noise and pollution in the Brickbottom area. Robert Martel, from Brickbottom, stated that he would file a law suit before the filing deadline of October 21st to protect the rights of residents in the area. Mr. Martel explained that it is not his intention to delay the Green Line project, but rather to address some specific mitigations that are not on the table. Mr. Lambert stated that a law suit could be harmful and cause delays. Alderman Heuston requested a response from OSPCD regarding the lawsuit being brought forward by Mr. Martel and also requested additional information on the city's strategy with respect to the maintenance facility, noting that there is not enough information of the impacts to the community. Alderman Heuston also requested information regarding the meetings that were held with Mass DOT, including the dates, individuals present, meeting agendas and any other pertinent information. Chairman Gewirtz requested that a timeline be provided to obtain additional information and said that this item would be taken up again with at a Housing Committee meeting on December 13th. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/13/2010 6:30 PM