I
am writing this letter to emphasize the importance of the upcoming
hearing on the Union Square Zoning Ordinance. At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday,
Dec. 4, the zoning plan will be discussed at a joint hearing of the
Board of Aldermen Land Use Committee and the Planning Board in the
Aldermanic Chamber at City Hall. Organizations that I am involved with,
Save Our Somerville (SOS) and the Affordable Housing Organizing
Committee (AHOC), are deeply concerned about displacement spurred by
this zoning. We hope that Somerville residents will join us in
solidarity at the hearing or personally convey their concern about the
ramifications of the impacts of this zoning upon the affordability of
Union Square neighborhoods to their aldermen by letter, phone, or
e-mail.

What are the stakes here? Neighborhoods surrounding
Union Square vary in composition from longtime Somerville residents to
the new immigrants that have brought vibrancy to the city of Somerville
throughout its history. These neighborhoods also vary widely in the
economic status of their residents. I have been told that Union Square
is home to a greater diversity of background and economic means than
any other area of the city. A common thread that many of these
neighborhoods share, however, is the presence of families. If you live
anywhere near Davis Square, go for a stroll down Concord Ave. by Union
Square on a Saturday afternoon. You will find children playing in the
streets the likes of which has rarely been seen in the decade since I
was a child growing up near Davis.

The proposed zoning plan does
nothing to address the displacement of Somerville residents and does
too little to create affordable homes in sites of potential new
residential development. The Green Line is coming to Union Square and
the City of Somerville would like to capitalize upon the new
development opportunities. Unfortunately there is a lack of
responsibility shown towards the needs of Somerville people and, as
such, a seriously flawed vision for this city ºs future. If the city had
been serious about the preservation of affordability, and by extension
the presence of families and community in Somerville, they would have
addressed issues of displacement and affordability before introducing
any new zoning. These issues are incredibly difficult to tackle and
will take a very large commitment to even semi-satisfactorily address,
but introducing development friendly zoning at a critical moment in
time, such as this, will exacerbate existing issues and could
potentially spell calamity for Union Square.

Appropriate
leadership has not been shown by the executive branch of our city on
these issues. That is why I now look towards the Board of Aldermen as
this ordinance comes before them. As I stated, the mere fact that this
zoning is being considered at this time is a failure of city
priorities, but it is being considered and we cannot go back in time.
We have yet to see where our aldermen will come down on this. Excuse me
for being jaded by the tender age of 22, but I seriously question the
courage of a majority of our present Board of Aldermen to take the
leadership that I look for in a situation of isolation. That is why we,
the people of this fair city, must stand in unity behind these issues
to create the necessary political will that, moving forward, will
support our aldermen as leaders who can do what it takes to preserve
this city and our community.

It has taken 150 years to create
the quality of community that we have here in Somerville today. I will
be crushed if I witness the loss of this community within my lifetime.
To alter the disastrous course that this city is taking will take a
serious, prolonged commitment. Let ºs allow this coming hearing to be a
start.

Please join me on Dec. 4 and together we can save our Somerville.

-Adam Rich