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By Jack Connolly

Last night, a public hearing was held in East Somerville regarding one of the least understood but most relevant to our everyday lives: ZONING.

Citizens, property owners, business owners and Chamber of Commerce folks all chimed in on what is necessary: Update the current zoning, last updated in 1990.

The BOA, as the city’s legislative body, must approve this proposal with eight favorable (never an easy task) votes. The updated proposal was submitted by highly regarded City Planner (Now Director of OSPCD) George Proakis and his capable team.

Up until this month, this update has been sitting in the BOA deep freezer, despite concerted efforts by Proakis and staff, to put into play.

Proakis maintains this is a like a computer company (like Microsoft and Apple) updating its software platform of the operating system to a new and improved edition, which can periodically be enhanced with a new version from time to time. So far, the BOA has not made this much of a priority.

So what will the new Zoning edition do generally?

The 2018 edition will be organized by district, improved by the use of pictures and color displays, eliminate a lot of the legal jargon so confusing in the current version. In residential areas, it will down zone “Resident B” and combine with the current “Resident A” into one district, since these properties are so similar

Now, no matter what you may want to do to add on or update your home or investment property, a special permit is required, and a trip to the Planning and Zoning Board, which can take not just a few weeks, but months, for a relatively minor project, like a deck or a dormer

The updated Zoning code edition will replace the Art Overlay District with a Fabrication district, which will preserve space for artists, and can be mapped anywhere in the city. The new Zoning edition will also replace the outdated Design Review Committee with the Urban Design Commission; a good and needed move. Also, there will be eight overlay districts, all with commercial to residential ratios, civic space requirements, and adjustments can be made depending on future economic conditions. In addition, there will be standards for new Parks, Commons, and Plazas (11 different types in total).

I’m just touching on only a few of the updates more than necessary. For a complete review, go online and see www.somervillezoning.com.

You should be able to go to that same city website and see a video of the testimony offered at last night’s public hearing. As well, the BOA usually allows written testimony to be submitted for a period of time after these public hearings. Check the website or call the City Clerk John Long at 617-625-6600, ext. 4100, for more info.

Complicating this even more is the retirement of Mike Glavin, the veteran Exec Director of the City Office of Special Planning and Community Development, who will be succeeded (you don’t replace this type of talent) by current City Planner, George Proakis, one of the most talented City Planners in the region.

He (Proakis) must now juggle the long and winding road to secure eight votes from the BOA for the Zoning overhaul, and at the same time, take over the pilot seat in the office of Special Planning and Community Development; Look for Mayor Joe to try his powers of persuasion with BOA members, some who will certainly be looking to trade their vote for their own desires. Hope he is talking, not texting, those BOA members.

Those BOA members really need to pick up the pace in the Land Use Committee of the BOA (chaired by Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis) since there are only 3 maybe 4 regular meetings left in this calendar year. This Board has not made much of an impact with the ‘Our Revolution’ take over team, as the Revolution has little to brag about; The 1% Transfer Tax Home Rule petition approved by the BOA went to the State House, where after a routine hearing, appears to be long-dead on arrival.

Little progress has been made on much discussed “Affordable Housing.” Whatever happened to that 500-unit project on Clarendon Hill involving the Somerville Housing Authority, the city, and a private developer? How about the “Condo Conversion” update? Right of First Refusal? Land Trust?

Lots of talk, but no apparent action. I understand that the latest topic for aldermen is the decision to consider lowering the voting age to 16, and to allow non-citizens to vote; another initiative that will require approval by the State House.

Looks like it’s time for BOA members to establish some priorities, and a time frame to get these things done: After all, isn’t that what they were elected to do?

Born, raised, and lifetime resident of Somerville. St. Clement High School graduate; BA (Cum Laude) and M. Ed from Boston College; Attended Tufts Univ. and Harvard Univ. JFK School of Government; Licensed Insurance Broker and award-winning Small Business Owner (WCC Insurance Agency Inc.) 19 College Ave. Davis Sq. Somerville MA since 1996. Ward Six Alderman eleven terms 1984-2005, Alderman At-Large; 1 special election and five terms 2007-2017, and the distinction of being the longest serving Alderman in Somerville History.