The Nov.
5 hearing, held jointly by the Board of Aldermen Land Use Committee and
the Somerville Planning Board, saw six residents speak in favor of the
proposal that would revitalize Broadway.

The plan prepared by
the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development will expand
zoning policy in the hope of attracting new commercial development to
help revitalize the Winter Hill and Sullivan Square areas.

"It
is not financially feasible to redevelop under the current zoning
ordinances," said Rob May, Somerville's director of Economic
Development.

The plan will allow businesses to expand the
square area of their property through an increase in the allowable
height and density of buildings along the Broadway corridor. Depending
upon the particular district, the maximum allowable height of a
commercial building will increase anywhere from five to 20 feet
compared to current zoning standards.

Comments from both officials and residents focused on Winter Hill, expressing the need to bring new business to the area.

"Winter
Hill is struggling," said Monica Lamboy, executive director of OSPCD.
"The truth is, people just aren't shopping there anymore."

"Winter Hill has a very tired look," Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero added.
"It needs revitalization, it needs this kind of zoning to bring in new
activity. With the Green Line coming, I think the rezoning will add
great residential and commercial developments to the area and be a
value to the larger community here in Somerville."

Carrie
Dancy, executive director of non-profit East Somerville Main Streets,
said the new zoning guidelines would help create a walkable corridor
that is more community centric.

"There is no continuity to
Broadway," Dancy said. "We are really only a destination district right
now. People come, they get what they need, and they get back in their
car and leave. In order to create the vibrancy that we are looking for,
we need more continuity."

Other residents said the need to
bring in different kinds of businesses to the area, especially after
the closing of the Star Market.

"You only need so many sub shops," Erika Tarlin said. "We need a new market and we really need to give the area a little kick."

The
OSPCD's plan will also coincide with a finalized "streetscaping"
program set to begin soon. Funding has been allocated to the Broadway
corridor to create single lanes, "aesthetic" medians, and more
pedestrian-friendly sidewalks.

"Great streets are not just
about businesses, but also about the community space next to it,"
Lamboy said. "By having great buildings with pedestrian oriented
details, you get the sense of a great street."

Among the
concerns raised was the Board's warning that the OSPCD balance the
"utopic" and the "practical" aspects of initiatives – specifically,
ensuring enough parking spaces in any new development. The OSPCD plans
to give new businesses the option of payment in lieu of mandatory
parking spaces, with the money going into a fund for municipal parking
spaces.

With the public hearing process now closed, the
Planning Board will give its recommendation on the rezoning plans to
the Board of Aldermen in early 2010.