Congratulations to mayor-elect Jake Wilson, and to new and returning members of the city council.
While we did not endorse Jake Wilson for mayor due to his restrained support for our zoning proposals, we look forward to collaborating with him and supporting his efforts to advance shared goals like housing affordability, safe streets, and more.
We’re thrilled to see our endorsed City Council candidates Ben Ewen-Campen, Emily Hardt, Jon Link, Will Mbah, Naima Sait, and Ben Wheeler take their seats in January. We’re also glad to see Kristen Strezo returning as City Councilor At Large. While we did not endorse her, we know that she is a thoughtful and dedicated public servant who shares our most important values and goals.
We look forward to working with City Council and the new mayor to help Somerville grow and thrive.
As ever, our priorities remain:
Supporting individual proposals to build new homes.
Zoning changes to make new housing creation simpler and faster, paired with legislative reforms to support tenant rights and reduce displacement.
Policy changes that accelerate city processes, like increased staffing in the city’s planning and inspections departments.
Starter Homes Ballot Measure Deadline
The Legalize Starter Homes initiative needs to get thousands of signatures 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.
If you haven’t signed yet, learn how to print a form at home at legalizestarterhomes.com/sign-the-petition.
Note: Whether you sign this for someone out canvassing or by mail, read what you’re signing and be sure your legal name and address are legible. Your signature won’t count if your printed name and address don’t match your voter registration.
Events
November 6: Land Use/Planning Board Joint Meeting — Agenda items include housing proposals at 379 Somerville Ave., 363 Highland Ave, and 44 White St., as well as a measure to improve the the city’s notoriously cumbersome permit application process. 6:00 pm, online via Zoom. Note: there are two Zoom links, one for the first 30 minutes of Planning Board meeting, and a second for the joint meeting with Land Use.
November 7: Somerville YIMBY Monthly Social — Join us for an election debrief, drinks, and snacks at Remnant Brewing in Bow Market, 6:00 pm.
November 12: Somerville YIMBY Monthly Meeting — Presentation of a new plan for development in the Union Square D6 block, post-election plans, and more. 6:00 pm, online via Zoom.
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 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.
Recommended
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