Get Involved: Join a Working Group
Would you like to be more involved with Somerville YIMBY, but aren’t quite sure where to start? Join one of our new working groups to discuss:
Elections: How did we do in the 2025 election? What could we do better? Is our next election effort going to be in 2026 or 2027? Join the elections discussion on our messageboard.
Rent stabilization: We haven’t come to a consensus opinion on rent control yet, and we need one now. What will it be? Join the rent stabilization discussion on our messageboard.
We expect these groups to meet for 1-2 hours per week over 6-8 weeks. Feel free to drop in and contribute to the discussion even if you can’t attend meetings.
Day of Action for Starter Homes Ballot Measure
Are you free this weekend? The Legalize Starter Homes initiative has collected over 70,000 signatures so far, and they need just over 4,000 more by November 19 to get on the ballot next year. This measure, which requires cities and towns to allow building on smaller lots, will reduce “snob zoning”, and boost regional efforts to address the housing shortage. Sign up to help collect signatures this weekend — even a few minutes of your time can help!
If you’re busy this weekend, but want to sign, learn how to print a form at home at legalizestarterhomes.com/sign-the-petition. Note: Be sure that your legal name and address are legible. Your signature won’t count if your printed name and address don’t match your voter registration.
Tell Planning: People Should Control Their Own Roofs
Do you hate it when your neighbors have the wrong amount of window? Do you have strong opinions about the correct pitch of their roof? Do you get mad when you see someone’s eaves interrupted, or need to avert your eyes when you walk past a building with an incorrect ratio of primary to dormer roof? We don’t.
Partly due to ongoing pressure from Somerville YIMBY, the Somerville Planning Department is updating their rules about roof styles and dormers. They’re cautious, though, because a handful of people have been very vocal about how the tops of other people’s homes should look. They’re asking for feedback on their updates, so let them know you think people should be allowed to pick their own eave setbacks, roof pitches, and fenestration ratios by taking this survey.
The multiple-choice questions leave room for interpretation, so be sure the city knows exactly what you think in the comment box at the end. In particular, the last sticking point between our proposal and theirs is their continued inclusion of front setbacks. For example, you might say something like "Just let people modify their own homes. I don't care if a dormer isn't set back from the front roof edge, or how many windows it has."
Events
November 16: Ride For Your Life — This year, fifty pedestrians and eight cyclists lost their lives to road violence in Massachusetts. MassBike and other street safety activists will rally to demand safer streets this weekend on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Meet at 10:45 am in Cambridge Common or at 12:00 noon at the State House.
November 17: 307-309 Highland Ave Community Meeting — Learn about a proposal to build new housing without demolishing existing buildings. 6:00 pm, online via Zoom.
November 18: Inner Belt/Brickbottom Crossing Open House — Learn about the city’s plans to make it easier to get around in the Inner Belt and Brickbottom neighborhoods. Drop in any time from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, Triangle Cafe, 100 Chestnut St.
November 19: Streetwise Presents Transportation Trivia — The Streetwise event series has been running for ten whole years now, and they’re celebrating with a trivia night and some great prizes! 7:30 pm at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler Street.
November 20: Land Use Committee — Agenda TBA. Online and in-person at 6:30 pm.
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