Support our dormer updates and run for Neighborhood Council

It’s a good week to support housing in Somerville! Here are a few actions you can take right now:

Deadline: Friday 4/25 at 9:00 am: Somerville YIMBY’s first zoning amendment went before the Land Use Committee and Planning Board last Thursday — you can watch our short presentation beginning 4:30 into the meeting video, or just review our slides. Public comment is open until Friday at 9:00 am, so please send an email to [email protected] and [email protected] and ask them to support the simplified dormer and building height rules presented in item number 25-0200.

Deadline: Friday 4/25 at 5:00 pm: Run for the Union Square Neighborhood Council board! All candidates must submit completed application packets by Friday at 5:00 pm. Voting will take place on May 17 and 20th.

In addition, seats are still open for the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board. Both are paid independent advisory roles, and the city will be accepting applications until the positions are filled.

Upcoming Events

April 29: Union Square Walk Audit — The Somerville Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee hosts a walk through Union Square to identify areas for street safety improvement. Meet by Life Alive at 6:00 pm.

May 1: Land Use Committee — 6:00 pm, online and in-person.

Ongoing from May 1: Slice of the City Meetings — Join city officials for pizza and conversation about issues facing your neighborhood, your ward, and your city.

May 6: Historic Preservation Commission — 6:45 pm, online via Zoom.

Recommended Reading

Colliers report on multifamily housing in Boston: Real estate finance journal analysis of vacancy trends in Boston apartments. Note that the vacancy rates the report describes as “healthy” are good for landlords rather than for people trying to find shelter.

Why the Best Bike Lanes Always Get Blamed: Bloomberg explains why the most important and useful parts of bike lane networks draw both riders and controversy. This is especially relevant as Boston joins the trend of retreat from safe streets.

As a reminder, our spring book club pick is Abundance, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. Perhaps ironically, we’ve heard reports that copies are scarce — if you need to borrow a copy, have a copy to lend, or want to talk about it before the meeting, drop by our messageboard.