(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

The developer of 139 Summer Street will appear before the zoning board of appeals on Wednesday January 21 at 6pm, to request Special Permits that would allow him to add a third dwelling unit, and avoid parking restrictions. His proposal makes a mockery of the SomerVision plan, which mandates preventing infill development in settled residential neighborhoods in order to preserve their unique character. His proposal would also cause numerous permanent harms to the abutters, including loss of open and green space, visual blight and loss of direct sunlight, increased noise and exposure to noxious gases from vehicles, and increased basement flooding due to runoff.

It makes no sense whatsoever to reward a developer for damaging our interests, particularly one who is not even a resident and has no stake in the outcome other than short-term profit. Nor is this merely an isolated incident, on the contrary it’s symptomatic of a long-standing pattern in which the administration decries infill development while simultaneously ensuring that it occurs, by greasing the rails for favored developers. If we do nothing, the luxury condo industry will continue to blindly convert Somerville into an ugly and unaffordable gated citadel devoid of open or green space. Please come to the hearing and express your opposition to the granting of these special permits. The hearing will be held at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, in the Aldermanic Chambers, 2nd floor. If you’re unable to attend, please consider preparing a written statement, which Somerville Development Watch will gladly present on your behalf.

Chris Korda

Somerville Development Watch

http://somervilledevelopmentwatch.org/