News from City Council, Budget Season, Upcoming Meetings

Ongoing City Council Zoning Discussions

Cambridge Day recently reported that City Council discussed the alarming slowdown in building applications last month. Tom Galligani, executive director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), told the council that “our market-rate and inclusionary-housing pipeline may be drying up.” One way of resolving the issue, he says, could be reducing Somerville’s requirement — the highest in the region — that 20% of all new construction be set aside for below-market rents, in the interest of making it economically viable to build any housing at all. Another possibility: increasing allowable heights in key areas, so that a larger number of market-rate apartments makes it possible to provide more subsidized ones.

Budget Season

We’re right in the thick of the city’s budget season, and the City Council finance committee has been meeting to discuss and prioritize the mayor’s proposals. If you want to know what the city’s planning to spend money on for the next 12–18 months, this is your opportunity for a detailed preview. Topics on the agenda include affordable housing, public safety, traffic calming, flood control, sewer work, rodents, public health, and more.

The next meetings will be on June 4, 5, and 6. For the full list of, plus agendas and information on how to attend in person or virtually, check out the city council meeting calendar.

Upcoming Meetings

• Somerville Municipal Employees Association Standouts: Join SMEA and labor supporters to ask the city for a fair contract — events on June 5, 11, and 18. Learn more at SupportSMEA.org

• Somerville YIMBY Social: Friday, June 7, Remnant Brewing, 6–8 pm.

• Somerville YIMBY Monthly Open Meeting: Wednesday, June 12, 6–7 pm, online via Zoom.

• Book Club: We’re reading A Paradise of Small Houses, by Max Podemski. Reply to this email if you need a copy! Meet us at Portico Brewing, 101 South St, Somerville, on Saturday July 13 from 3–4 pm.