(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)

Somerville is overhauling its zoning code. The current one dates back to 1926, with several revisions since. This is a rare opportunity for people concerned about the lack of green space in Somerville to make a difference. We need your help.

The National Recreation and Park Association recommends a minimum of 6.25 acres of open space per 1,000 people in an urban area; Somerville has 2.1 acres per 1,000 people, which includes paved school yards and cemeteries.

SomerVision sets a goal of adding 125 acres of open space, but the requirements in the proposed zoning cannot meet this goal. Even if those open space requirements were maximized in the areas where major new development is planned, only 45 additional acres could be created.

Our concerns:

We need a requirement for green space that is distinct from open space. Both green and open space are important, but they fill different needs. Based on an extensive body of peer-reviewed studies, city dwellers need proximity to “natural” or “green” settings to maintain their mental and physical well-being; students learn better when they have access to natural outdoor space; air quality and environmental health is improved. Defining paved alleyways in the same category as a grassy park is confusing and misleading.

We need a typology of green space that allows for different categories and recommended minimums for each. While the proposed zoning draft does have different categories of open/green space, a range of types is not required, nor are the categories extensive enough. Playing fields, parks, wooded areas, roof gardens, community gardens, rain gardens, waterways, lawns, commercial building landscaping, etc., are all important and should be considered as distinct requirements.

Zoning should allow developers to meet green and open space obligations by making cash contributions to a fund that pays for much-needed, high-quality green space areas. All developments should be required to make some level of contribution to this fund. A formula would need to be developed. Consolidating green spaces into larger, more functional areas increases their impact and benefit to the environment (reducing storm run-off, increasing cooling effect, etc.) and to human enjoyment. Who wouldn’t prefer a large walkable park to many small strips of landscaping? The City already allows a similar substitution in the case of affordable housing.

We need to invest greater value in space that has high environmental value even if it isn’t public. Areas such as roof gardens that may not be public or easily accessible should be encouraged through zoning, as they serve an important function to improving the health of our environment by lessening stormwater run-off while cooling buildings and the atmosphere.

To pay for additional open and green space, we need zoning that promotes office and R&D space development. The draft zoning favors housing, which pays a tax rate only 61% that of commercial property, but generates twice the municipal costs. Our lack of a commercial tax base creates a chronic fiscal deficit, making funding green space an unachievable goal. Office and R&D, not housing, should dominate development around new T stops in particular.

Ways you can help:

Attend the public hearing on the proposed zoning on Thursday, March 5th in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall at 6 p.m. Speak up! Bring your friends!

Forward this document to your friends and neighbors in Somerville.

Attend Ward meetings (see here for schedule: http://www.somervillema.gov/alerts/ward-mtgs-proposed-zoning-code-overhaul)

Speak to your Aldermen:

John Connolly, at large: aldermanconnolly@gmail.com

Mary Jo Rossetti, at large: MJRossetti@somervillema.gov

Dennis Sullivan, at large: aldermansullivan@aol.com

William White, at large: aldermanwhite@comcast.net

Matthew McLaughlin, Ward 1: mmclaughlin@somervillema.gov

Maryann Heuston, Ward 2: mheuston@hotmail.com

Robert McWatters, Ward 3: RMcWatters@somervillema.gov

Tony Lafuente, Ward 4: tony@tonylafuente.com

Mark Niedergang, Ward 5: M.Niedergang@comcast.net

Rebekah Gewirtz, Ward 6: rebekah.gewirtz@gmail.com

Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 7: katjana@katjana.org

Write letters to the editor of local publications.

Comment on the zoning document through March 27th: http://www.somervillema.gov/zoning/

Contact reneetscott@gmail.com to stay involved and learn how you can help shape the future of Somerville’s environment.

Renée Scott

Lenni Armstrong

Victoria Antonino

David Turin

Chris Korda

Kim Payson

David Falk

Gina Foglia

Rob Buchanan

Keja Valens

Jim Baab

Corey Tedrow

Juliet Perron

Michelle Antunes

Andrea Ranger

Janine Fay

Reebee Garofalo

Amanda DeBurro

Michael DeBurro

David Scott

Dominique Stassart

David Dinklage

Sarah Phillips

Josh Rosenstock

Brendan Shea