Committee Report - Housing - 12-14-11 — File 192368

December 14, 2011 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 1 of 5 Printed 12/20/2011 REPORT OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Sean T. O’Donovan Chair Present Dennis M. Sullivan Vice Chair Present Rebekah Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Present Michael Glavin Exec. Director, OSPCD Present Dana LeWinter OSPCD Present The committee reviewed all matters before it and updated the status of each item. 189727 - That the Director of SPCD Report in Writing to the Committee on Housing and Community Development on the Results of the Meeting with the Magoun Square Business Owners and the Ward Five Alderman, to Discuss Parking and Other Issues Affecting the Decline in Business in Magoun Square.: Mr. Glavin reported that there has been some progress on this item. The committee will follow up at a future meeting. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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 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.: This item was previously dealt with. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190097 - That the Director of SPCD update this Board on discussions for air rights uses for the Green Line extension maintenance facility, particularly regarding a stadium.:

Committee Meeting December 14, 2011 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 2 of 5 Printed 12/20/2011 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.: Ms. LeWinter spoke about her department's plans and informed the committee that the city will receive 44% less funding for this department, next year. Alderman Gewirtz's motion that the Committee on Housing and Community Development be informed of the impact of cuts to the city's Housing Department, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190529 - That the Director SPCD follow-up on a commitment and meet with Union Square businesses regarding the proposed traffic patterns and report back to the Committee on Housing and Community Development and the Ward 2 and 3 Aldermen.: Alderman Sullivan discussed the consensus of seniors regarding the traffic pattern. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190746 - That this Board requests that the Community Action Agency of Somerville present to this Board their anti-poverty services, plans for the upcoming year, and the work they coordinate with other community organizations in the city.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190783 - Requesting that this Board accept this report on the update to the Comprehensive Plan and provide comments on it to SPCD staff.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190955 - That the Director of SPCD, in conjunction with the manager of the Union Square Post Office, update the Ward 3 and Ward 2 Aldermen on the pending sale and relocation of the Union Square Post Office.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Committee Meeting December 14, 2011 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 3 of 5 Printed 12/20/2011 191090 - Conveying the Planning Division’s Annual Report for 2010.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191091 - Conveying the 2010 Annual Report of the Bicycle Advisory Committee.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191454 - That the Commissioner of Public Works make various repairs at the West Branch Library including reinforcing basement walls and repairing broken windows.: The committee voted to refer this item to the Finance Committee for further action/discussion. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191455 - That the Library Director create a written plan and timeline detailing how the $15,000 donation to the Children’s Room at the West Branch Library will be allocated.: The committee voted to refer this item to the Finance Committee for further action/discussion. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191456 - That the Library Director create a plan within the scope of the current budget to make the West Branch Library accessible for at least part of a weekend day.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191633 - That the Director of Sustainability and Environment and the Director of SPCD (ISD) provide this Board with plans to help homeowners comply with the Stretch Energy Code, to take advantage of rebates and tax incentives.: Alderman Gewirtz requested that the city's Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment submit a written report on this item to the Board of Aldermen. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191806 - That this Board requests that the MA Secretary of Transportation, or his designee, and a representative of the Conservation Law Foundation, appear before this Board to discuss revised timelines for the construction of the Green Line Extension into Somerville.:

Committee Meeting December 14, 2011 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 4 of 5 Printed 12/20/2011 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191807 - That this Board objects to any further delay in the 2014 completion date for the Green Line Extension.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191813 - That the Director of SPCD attend the Housing and Community Development Committee meeting on September 13, 2011 to discuss the economic enhancement of Magoun Square.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191925 - That the Director of SPCD arrange a meeting with the Union Square business community to discuss the proposed Union Square roadway/streetscape improvement design plan.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191926 - That the Director of SPCD provide this Board with an analysis of the recommendations of the MIT Peer Review Study and the Howard/Stein-Hudson Study for Union Square.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192055 - That the Director of SPCD, or a representative, appear before the Committee on Housing and Community Development to address whether the lottery provisions for affordable housing should be changed to give preference to residents who have been displaced from the area in which the affordable unit(s) are from.: AMs. LeWinter stated that since any changes to the lottery provisions would need to comply with the fair housing laws, the proposal would not be allowed. Ms. LeWinter indicated that there are other ways to assist displaced families. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192114 - That this Board requests that the Administration update this Board on Walmart’s efforts to locate a store in Somerville.:

Committee Meeting December 14, 2011 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 5 of 5 Printed 12/20/2011 Alderman Gewirtz expressed concern regarding Walmart's employee history and feels that small businesses would be hurt. Mr. Glavin informed the members that Walmart has not submitted a proposal and that if and when they do, a special permit would be required from the Planning Board. Alderman Sullivan's motion that the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development research studies regarding the impact of Walmart on other communities and report the findings to the Board of Aldermen during the first quarter of 2012, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED