Let's get this year started

New year, bigger ambitions

Author

Aaron Weber
January 01, 2025

2024 has been a year of growth for Somerville YIMBY and we’re getting ready for more in 2025.

First, we’d like to welcome Josh Michel to our Steering Committee. A Ward 2 resident, Josh has been instrumental in our efforts to craft our maps and updated zoning proposals, including the big banners we’ve been sharing at tabling events. Thank you for your work, and we’re thrilled to have you taking on a larger role!

New Steering Committee member Josh Michel

We’re also glad to share that the current (and near-final) Somernova proposal before the city includes a housing component, which will help to make the central Somerville Avenue neighborhood more vibrant. The homes will be a mix of market rate, below-market affordable, and designated artist live/work space.

Our first project for 2025 is also our first petition for changes to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance, which we hope to present to the city in early January. This request is a relatively simple technical change: make it easier to add dormers (the windowed bits that stick out from slanted roofs) to existing buildings. We propose removing several overly-strict requirements about dormer placement and window width, and standardizes the allowable height of buildings in the Neighborhood Residence district.

Dormers in Somerville may not touch the roof line.

We believe this change will simplify applications for everyday renovation projects that enable people to make better use of existing buildings without disrupting their neighborhoods. We’re also getting ready for more expansive work to address the housing shortage citywide.

As we begin, we hope to see you at some of the following events this month:

Friday 1/3/25: Somerville YIMBY Monthly Social. 6:00 pm at Remnant Brewing, Bow Market. (If you’re doing dry January, note that their kombucha is excellent, and that soda, coffee, and tea are plentiful as well.)

Monday 1/6/25: Mayor’s State of the City address. 5:30 pm, in-person and streamed online.

Monday 1/6/25: YMCA Redevelopment Community Meeting. Updates and further planning for the YMCA site plans. 6:30 pm, online.

Monday 1/13/25: Community meeting about a proposal to increase allowable height from 4 to 6 stories on several parcels near Horace Street and Ward Street. Online at tinyurl.com/horacewardsouth and in-person at 101 South Street.

As always, find these and other events at somervilleyimby.org/calendar!