Committee Report - Housing - 10-15-14 — File 197899

October 15, 2014 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 10/23/2014 REPORT OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mark Niedergang Chair Present Tony Lafuente Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Others present: Alderman Mary Jo Rossetti, Alderman John Connolly, Alderman Robert McWatters, Mayor Joe Curtatone, Frank Wright - Law, Matt Buckley - Law, David Shapiro - Law, Jason Grossfield - Law, Vicki Wairi - Housing, Kelly Donato - Housing, Lisa Davidson - Somerville Homeless Coalition, Evelyn Persoff - Housing, Donna Haynes - Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Hayes Morrison - OSPCD, Eileen McGettigan - OSPCD, Andrea Shapiro - Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Betty Fong - SCC, Dan LeBlanc - SCC, Scott Hayman - SCC, Brad Rawson - OSPCD Mayor Curtatone spoke about the city’s launch of a comprehensive affordable housing program and said that measures need to be taken to make Somerville affordable, adding that there is a strategic focus on people in the middle who don’t meet the affordable housing threshold. The mayor reviewed the program and commented on the following areas: • economic equity • comprehensive zoning overhaul • need for multi-family and artist housing • rabid real estate speculation • tax credits for benevolent landlords • upcoming commercial development • need for a skilled workforce • strong consumer base to attract development 196188 - That the Administration work with this Board to revise the Somervision Plan to provide more detailed goals with regard to affordable housing and the creation of a mix of housing units, especially those with more than 2 bedrooms, for long-term residents of all ages.:

Committee Meeting October 15, 2014 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 10/23/2014 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196214 - That the Director of SPCD consider developing a plan and securing funding for infrastructure improvements along the full length of Murdock Street, especially sidewalks and trees.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196221 - That the Director of SPCD provide SomerVision updates twice a year, broken down by ward, showing progress made in residential, affordable units, jobs, public space, trips via transit, bike and walking, and development in transformative areas.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196285 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) provide this Board with an update on improvements and developments in the Inspectional Services Division, including data on new hires over the past six months.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196287 - That the Director of SPCD, the Planning Director, and the Housing Director appear before this Board for an update on raising the inclusionary housing ordinance to promote development of more affordable housing.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196366 - That the Director of SPCD submit a plan to create “Middle Class” housing.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196368 - That the Director of SPCD submit a plan on the use of city owned properties as it relates to projected growth identified in the SomerVision Plan.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196369 - That the Director of SPCD submit a SomerVision implementation and accountability plan as described within.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196370 - That the Director of SPCD and the City Solicitor submit to this Board a proposal to impose institutional master plans.:

Committee Meeting October 15, 2014 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 10/23/2014 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196437 - That the Director of SPCD (Economic Development) report on the development of and funding for the local hiring and workforce development First Source program, and report on the outcome of FRIT's recent job fairs for Assembly Square, including Somervillians getting jobs.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196875 - That the City Solicitor report in September, 2014, to this Board's Committee on Housing and Community Development on whether the Somerville District Court has responded to the city's concerns with respect to enforcing code violations by absentee landlords.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196886 - That the Administration provide this Board with an update, in writing and within 2 weeks, on accessibility and improvements to the West Branch Library.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197059 - Director of Capital Projects responding to #196886 re: improvements at the West Branch Library.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197155 - That the Director of SPCD and the Superintendent of ISD report to this Board with a plan to ensure prompt and coordinated responses to Board Orders, 311 call entries, emails and phone calls from Aldermen about constituent issues.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197475 - That the Administration discuss with DCR, an agreement by which the City takes joint control of the DCR park area from Shore Drive to the riverbank so the City can maintain that area for the benefit and protection of its residents.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197656 - That the Director of SPCD develop a plan for a substantial increase in low and moderate income affordable housing, given the affordable housing crisis and the need to increase the SomerVision target of 1,200 units over the next 20 years, and present the plan, in writing, to this Board before the end of 2014.:

Committee Meeting October 15, 2014 Housing and Community Development Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 10/23/2014 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197695 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) explain the process for building permit approvals that require both ISD and Planning Department sign offs, and create a process that expedites simple applications and provides improved customer service.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197742 - That the Director of SPCD inform this Board about the requirements to enter the application pool for an affordable housing rental or homeownership unit, and explain the regulations that allow non-residents to apply.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197787 - That the Director of SPCD apprise this Board of the Memorandum of Understanding being negotiated with the MA DOT for the city-owned parcels of land in Gilman Square.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197798 - That the Director of SPCD explain the reason for the delay in completing the North Street Veterans Playground.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197847 - That the Director of SPCD and the Director of Traffic and Parking advise when the signs limiting entrance and exit from the 118 Holland Street driveway will be installed.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197861 - That the City Solicitor and the Director of SPCD (ISD) update this Board on the court filing for 75-77 Gordon Street (as requested in July), pertaining to operating a business and storing construction materials at the site.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197862 - That the Director of SPCD (Planning) update this Board on the construction start date at 77-83 North Street.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE