Administration officials, however,
faced criticism that data being used to support the changes was being
misinterpreted, that the new size requirements disregarded quality of
life issues, and that the amendments would serve as a second chance for
an unpopular senior housing project.

A group of residents
opposed to that project, slated to be built on a lot at 44 Park St.
organized to fight the amendments and propose its own package of
ordinances in January. The group, dubbed Somerville Residents for
Sensible Development (SomeSense) charged that most of the city's
changes would have allowed the project to clear the hurdles that
initially brought it before the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The
four-story, 89 unit development proposal was withdrawn in 2008 after it
was learned the project's developer, Sal Querusio, had served on the
ZBA with four current members. None had disclosed the fact, as required
by state law.

While the city never addressed accusations from
SomeSense regarding the 44 Park St. issue, Alderman-at-Large Bill White
renewed his reservations about the way OSCPD used U.S. Census data at
the March 2 Land Use Committee meeting. The city had used the declining
senior population in Somerville as evidence that more housing is needed.

"I
had strong concerns about the development premise, that there is a
housing crisis," White said at the meeting. "I don't think that's the
situation at all. Baby Boomers left the city in droves in the '70s.
It's important to have it in the proper perspective."

Just
before Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston moved to place the amendments on
file, "essentially killing them," as she put it, Lamboy said Mayor Joe
Curtatone has asked that the proposal be revamped in response to
feedback from residents.

"It's our intent to step back a bit and look at it in a larger scale," Lamboy said.

Both
Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero and Heuston said they hoped the city would
come back with amendments that analyzed the situation more carefully.

"I'm
hoping anything coming in the future recognizes the problems of this
proposal," Heuston said. "To do something on a massive scale such as
this does not allow for the nuances of a particular neighborhood."

Heuston
added that she hopes to hold neighborhood meetings this summer to
discuss how residents would want to see empty parcels in Ward 2 used.