Meetings for December 4 2019

We hope everyone's weathered our first big snow storm of the season! Here's our roundup of a few key meetings and events happening this month in Somerville.

Upcoming Somerville Events

Early Planning for Boynton Yards (the area south of Somerville Ave, between Webster and Medford Street) is underway, and the Planning Department will hold a public meeting tonight, December 4, from 6 to 8 pm at the Public Safety building at 220 Washington Street, Somerville. The meeting will include a presentation from planning staff and open discussion.Online Survey for Union Square Main Streets: If you live in, shop in, or pass through Union Square, complete this survey for Union Square Main Streets and let them know about your priorities. It'll take about three minutes.Broadway Bike and Bus Lanes: After some backlash from residents opposed to mass transit and cycling, the city will be holding a public meeting for comment on the Broadway bus and bike lanes. This is on Monday December 9 at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Attendees will get two minutes to speak. If you live in the area, and especially if you take the bus or bicycle in the area, please turn out to speak in favor of preserving this critical infrastructure. You can also submit written comment by writing to BOTH [email protected] and [email protected] by Friday, December 13, 2019, at 5 pm.Zoning Overhaul: This is the big one! City council will be a public hearing about the new zoning on Tuesday, December 10 at 6:00 pm in City Hall. With any luck this means we are finally moving toward a vote to approve version five of the proposed zoning. Visit SomervilleZoning.com for the latest details. We don't agree with every provision of the new rules, but we think they're a step in the right direction.

Victory in Newton

One of the biggest bits of good news in the Boston area came from Newton this week, as City Council there approved a project to build 800 apartments (including 143 below-market-rate), 180,000 square feet of office space, and 115,000 square feet of retail and community space. Our friends at Newton Engine Six have been backing this project for ages, and it's thrilling to see it get underway. My favorite note in the Globe article: City Councilor Deb Crossley voted in favor of project, saying "This project is virtually in my backyard, it’s in my neighborhood... so yes in my backyard."