Late November 2023

Triple deckers legalized! (And lots more events.)

November 27, 2023

Somerville YIMBY

2023 is winding down but there's still plenty to do this year. One critical piece of business that is complete: Somerville City Council passed legislation updating our zoning to comply with the MBTA Communities Act. That includes making it possible to build triple-deckers in more places with fewer restrictions, relaxing rules around residential development near transit, and more. We're thrilled to see the council adopt these changes without delay, and hope to see them continue that progress in 2024.

Upcoming Events

We will be skipping the Somerville YIMBY monthly open meeting this month, but there's plenty of other stuff going on! We hope to see you at some or all of the following events.

Tuesday, Nov. 28:

The Sunrise Movement meets discuss updates to the Somerville Climate Forward plan. 6:00 pm, in person at the Central Branch Library. Living in transit-rich places like Somerville is a great way to reduce your carbon emissions, so housing policy overlaps quite a lot with climate policy.

Tuesday, Nov. 28:

about a proposal for a mixed-use development of three (3) homes and some retail at 53 Chester Street, in the heart of Davis Square. 6:00 pm, online via Zoom.

Thursday, Nov. 30:

about converting 217 Somerville Ave (currently a gravel lot near the McGrath Highway) into a park. This is the sixth and final community outreach meeting for this project. 6:30 pm, online via Zoom.

Thursday, Nov. 30:

. 7:30, online via Zoom.

Saturday, Dec. 2:

. Join Union Square Main Streets and your neighbors for a little snacking, shopping, drinking, and celebrating. Shuttle service provided by Boynton Yards, prizes by Union Square Main Streets. 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, throughout Union Square.

Monday, Dec 4:

. The proposal is for a five-story mixed-use building opposite Foss Park.

Tuesday Dec. 5:

between Cambridge Common and Linnean Street. 6:00 pm at Lesley University Hall.

Thursday, Dec 7:

Joint

and

meetings. Topics will include proposals at 365 Brodway and 2-4 Alpine Street, and revisions to the permitted uses for the Powderhouse School special district. Planning Board starts at 6:00 pm, and Land Use joins them at 6:30. Online via Zoom.

For more events,

Book Club

Have you started reading

yet? We'll be setting a date to meet up and talk about it in January!