Committee Report - Housing - 11-29-10 — File 190528

November 29, 2010 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 12/1/2010 REPORT OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Rebekah L. Gewirtz Chair Present Walter F. Pero Vice Chair Present Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Thomas F. Taylor Ward Three Alderman Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Frank Wright City Solicitor Present Phillip Ercolini OSPCD Present Michael Lambert OSPCD Present 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: Chairman Gewirtz informed the members that an update would be provided in January. Alderman Taylor's motion that the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development follow-up on OSPCD's commitment and meet with Union Square businesses regarding the proposed traffic patterns and report back to the Committee on Housing and Community Development and to the Ward 2 and 3 Aldermen, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 189103 - Requesting Approval of a Letter to the MA DOT Supporting the Continuation of the Green Line Extension to Rt. 16.: Mr. Ercolini informed the members that the completion date for Phase 1 of the Green Line extension, (to College Avenue in Medford), is expected to be in 2015, with Phase 2, (the extension to Route 16), to commence in 2020. MAPC is reviewing public comments, finalizing the plans and studying the impacts of the Route 16 extension. Mr. Wright told the members that according to the decree from the state, the extension must go to the Medford Hillside. Somerville has no standing and is not a party to the action. So far, there has been no violation of the decree, but the decision of the state or the Conservation Law Foundation can’t be predicted.

Committee Meeting November 29, 2010 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 12/1/2010 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 189235 - That a Representative from the Law Dept. Appear Before the Committee on Housing and Community Development to Review the City’s Legal Options for Extending the Green Line to Route 16.: See discussion of Item 189103, above. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190102 - That the Director of SPCD appear before the Committee on Housing and Community Development to discuss the planning process to install the new signage proposed for Route 28 and Shore Drive.: Mr. Boukili and Mr. Lambert informed the members that the signs will not go up due to the concerns of neighbors. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190214 - That this Board seeks input from stakeholders and the city on how this Board can work with the Affordable Housing Organizing Committee, the Somerville Community Corporation, the Somerville Housing Authority, and others to promote affordable housing initiatives citywide, particularly permanent housing for formerly homeless families.: Alderman Taylor spoke about the need for a master plan for affordable housing. Mr. Ercolini stated that the city has a plan and he discussed areas of opportunity, future goals and organizations that are interested in working with the comprehensive plan. Chairman Gewirtz noted that the Administration is suggesting a slowdown, so as not to interfere with the comprehensive plan, however, she would like to move this issue forward. Residents spoke about the political will to move forward and asked that the Zoning and Planning Boards acknowledge that affordable housing is a priority. A suggestion was made that affordable housing be statutory and that it be a criteria for development. Gentrification and anti-displacement strategies were discussed along with inclusionary zoning and linkage fees. Alderman Pero suggested that the Law Department draft legislation on this matter for referral to the Legislative Matters Committee. Alderman Pero’s motion that the City Clerk forward a copy of Item 190214 to the Housing Committee of the Comprehensive Planning group to make them aware that the Board of Aldermen is also working on this matter and to request that the Housing Committee of the Comprehensive Planning group keep this Board, and its Committee on Housing and Community Development, apprised of its work, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/31/2010 12:00 AM