By George P. Hassett

At community meetings in his neighborhood, Ward 5 Alderman Sean O’Donovan has pushed developers for more open space, less density and improved traffic patterns. But in Ward 3, O’Donovan is reversing roles – on Craigie Street he is the developer squeezing in condo units at the expense, residents say, of neighborhood character and open space.

O’Donovan is trying to convert a three family home at 42 Craigie St. to condos while adding a second building on the 15,400 square foot lot. In all, the buildings would hold eight condos.

To do so, O’Donovan must receive a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. His colleague, Ward 3 Alderman Tom Taylor said he is opposed to the development because it will encroach on neighboring backyards and knock down nearby trees.

Taylor said, “it is somewhat uncomfortable” to speak against a fellow alderman “but I think Somerville is just too dense already.”

Harris Sussman lives at 51 Craigie St., across the street from O’Donovan’s property. He said the planned building is too tall, has too many units and the increased traffic it will cause poses a danger to children playing across the street at Dickinson Park.

And worse, he said, is the lack of communication coming from O’Donovan. ‚ÄúThe developer hasn’t communicated much with the neighborhood. It seems like the work of an absentee owner trying to maximize the profit he can get out of a property instead of someone who was elected to protect the city,‚Äù Sussman said. ‚ÄúHe’s an alderman. It should be all for one and one for all. But so far he’s just ignoring us.‚Äù

O’Donovan did not return a phone call for this story.

Jen Capuano, a resident of 42 Porter St. on the opposite side of the Craigie St. lot, said the development will knock down several of the 79 trees on the site, including a ‚Äúhuge, healthy‚Äù Elm tree. She said neighbors don’t want to stop the project.

“He can still make a profit, maybe try six units instead of eight, but it should fit with the rest of the community,” she said.

O’Donovan’s attorney Rich DiGirolamo said they have met with neighbors four times. Taylor said O’Donovan has listened to the concerns of neighbors.

DiGirolamo said several Craigie Street abutters support the project and construction crews will do their best to save the Elm tree.

‚ÄúMost of the opposition is coming from Porter Street,‚Äù he said. He added that the traffic generated by an eight unit project is minimal. ‚ÄúIt’s a large lot. I don’t consider this a dense project.‚Äù

O’Donovan’s many real estate ventures brought him criticism when he ran for re-election last year. In a campaign video posted online, his opponent Joe Lynch said O’Donovan ‚Äúhas done little more than pursue his own personal gain, using his elected office to green light developments which would be almost impossible otherwise.‚Äù

According to the ad, O’Donovan has purchased properties on Warwick Street, Craigie Street, Laurel Street, Ash Avenue and Newman Place, developing some of those into multi-unit condo buildings.

In the ad, text appears on screen that reads, ‚ÄúIt’s a bad idea for our alderman to be a developer.‚Äù O’Donovan defeated Lynch by a wide margin.

Taylor said he will speak against the project at a June 18 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing.