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Thank you for your time.

The amount of disinformation being spread on Somerville’s new proposed zoning has prompted me to write this letter.

There are claims the new zoning code would somehow devalue property by a newly imposed limit on tenants in a single unit. The limit of four unrelated individuals to live together in a single dwelling unit, is already the law in both Somerville and the Commonwealth and has been for years. So nothing new is proposed here. The same source also claims this would limit how much rent could be charged while at the same time claiming it would cause upward pressure on rents, which is contradictory. Besides trying to figure out how both of these conditions would coexist, it is obvious the rule has not kept rents and property values from increasing every year. One has to wonder if the people trying gambit know it has been the law and if they have been violating it for years. As for Boston allowing more and it being fine, I would say you only need to watch the news each year on the issues with rental properties in Allston. The number of neighbor complaints, fines against property owners and unacceptable living conditions is exactly what we do not want.

The consensus built over several years of Somvervision was clear that promoting a family friendly community was of vital importance. Keeping three plus bedroom units available to large families is a start and this limit helps with that, especially given how few there are. Rents will still go up and property owners will still profit, but maybe they do not go up so fast that families are priced out. This is fitting with what the residents have stated are their desires.

The zoning proposal does as much to accomplish the goals laid out by the residents of Somerville as can really be done through zoning. It tries to ensure that the highest densities of construction are in areas that can support it and keep the feel of existing neighborhoods as much as possible. New development has always occurred. The best route to dealing with it is to incentivize development that fits into the community. This works better than allowing development where, since there is no incentive for good development there is no reason for someone not to put in something that does not fit a neighborhood, but maximizes profit at the expense of the community.

The zoning proposal does not somehow allow for unfettered development. It creates a scale based on what is already in the neighborhoods. It encourages a homeowner who wants to make changes to their house to do so in ways that fit the character of our city. If they do this, they do not need all the committee reviews they do now as almost every house in the city is nonconforming. Currently as everything is nonconforming and you need a review regardless there is no incentive not to design changes or additions that do not fit the neighborhood. It doesn’t mean they can build whatever they want and all work would still require a permit. If they want something that breaks with the character of their neighborhood, then they need to go through the boards and reviews before getting a permit. This frees the review boards to take a more in depth look at new construction and ones that are making major changes while allowing home owners an easier path for most of the common changes and upgrades they may want to make to their houses.

Will the new zoning make Somerville a perfect place, no. Is it one of the most significant steps forward any city could take in dealing with the future and protecting the values and visions of the residents, yes. Should it be adopted, yes.

Brendan McDonagh

Ward 5