At a March 4 joint hearing before the Planning Board and Board of Aldermen Land Use Committee, Swartzel and other members of Somerville Residents for Sensible Development (SomeSense) made the case for stripping the Zoning Board of Appeals of its special permit granting authority and other ordinances that would help residents keep closer tabs on developers and their relationships with city officials.

"We envision that (the ordinances) will be used to strengthen the zoning process," Swartzel told the Planning Board last Thursday. "We feel these are reasonable ordinances that are no less than what we deserve in Somerville."

Among the changes they seek are measures asking for disclosure of all parties with a financial stake in developments and for the city to conduct planning studies using contractors that haven't held contracts with the city for seven years.

SomeSense also wants the Board of Aldermen to take on responsibility for issuing special permits, with the group charging that the ZBA acts as a "rubber stamp" for both the mayor and developers. The panel's five voting and two alternate members are appointed by the mayor for five-year terms.

Two of the five proposed ordinances relate directly to the group's frustration at the city for not being up front about possible conflicts of interest and other issues relating to a senior housing development proposed for 44 Park St.

"The disclosure of conflicts of interest is an ethical no-brainer," resident David Dahlbacka said in support of an ordinance to force all parties involved in a project to be disclosed. "The people who are putting in for permits should at least disclose who they are."

"It shouldn't be something that has to be put in an ordinance," he added. "It should be obvious."

The Planning Board will take written comments on the proposed ordinances until March 12, and plans to vote on each of the five items on March 18.