By Sal Ghamo

An increase in the inclusionary zoning rates proved to be a hot-button topic at last week’s Board of Alderman meeting. (click to enlarge map)

On March 24, The Board of Aldermen discussed the Land Use Committee’s March 22 meeting that concerned a citizens’ petition supporting an increase in the inclusionary zoning rates to 20% citywide.

The goal of the Land Use Committee is to strengthen the physical environment and mold the external character of the City of Somerville by applying the Somerville Zoning Ordinance. Zoning is a police power that permits cities to regulate size and density of development and use of land. Zoning, in some circumstances, also allows for design review.

Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis briefly touched upon Mr. Proakis’ presentation of the Planning Board’s recommendation to the committee. After the presentation, there was a spirited question and answer session, and following that Mr. Proakis described the model developed by consultants R.K.G.

The idea behind the model was to give the Committee a theoretical look at different areas of the city, while also allowing them to observe land acquisition, costs, and a wide variety of other variables.

This approach is intended to determine how best to maximize the affordable units that would be developed under certain circumstances. The Committee’s request concerns increasing zoning rates to 20%.

The Board’s initial concern with this request, which was made in the context of the zoning overhaul, was that if the zoning percentage is increased then will the amount of affordable units actually increase, or will it negatively affect other rates in a less progressive way than the Land Use Committee intends. The Committee’s real goal here is for the rate of return on a developers project to hit 15%. If 15% isn’t reached then the project will not go through.

The Committee was also concerned with no-fault evictions. This means that the people of Somerville should not be susceptible to eviction for no reason. Alderman Davis recommended that the issue be sent to the Committee on Legislative matters, but all other matters were kept within the Land Use Committee.

The Committee looks forward to talking more about the concerns addressed at the latest Board of Alderman meeting at their next meeting on April 5.