Updates: State rep debate, zoning board, new date for YIMBY meeting

Friends,

We’ve updated our calendar to reflect several events happening this month that we think you’ll be interested in:

August 8 (this Thursday!): The Somerville Democratic City Committee will hold a debate between Erika Uyterhoeven and Kathleen Hornby, who are both competing for the Democratic Party nomination for State Representative in the 27th Middlesex District. 7:00 pm at the John F. Kennedy School Auditorium (5 Cherry St. Somerville, MA). Includes free pizza, online RSVP requested. A recording of the event will be available later.

Wednesday August 14: Zoning Board of Appeals. The prior ZBA meeting ran for more than five hours, but don’t worry: there’s more! Join us online beginning at 6 pm, or submit written comment to [email protected] before noon on Friday, August 9. We’re respectfully asking the ZBA to:

• Vote against the petition to prevent the Somerville Homeless Coalition from moving their shelter to 89 College Ave from just a block away. There are two reasons why we’re asking for this vote, one legal and one moral. Legally, we ask because the state law known as the Dover Amendment means that the city has no authority to stop the First Church of Somerville from operating a shelter. Morally, we ask because housing is a human right, and the city shouldn’t stop people from providing that right to people who need it.

• Vote in favor of the variance for 52 Elm Street, so the proponents can provide accessible housing for a disabled family member. It’s only a few feet of extra height, it’s right near Porter Square, and blocking it would present a real hardship for the family.

Please remember to include your mailing address, and above all keep your message polite and respectful. The ZBA members are regular Somervillians like you, and they’re doing their best to read and understand a lot of public input on a lot of different issues. It’s best if you send your comments as two separate emails, so they can be filed separately.

Wedesday, August 21: Somerville YIMBY monthly meeting, postponed from the 14th due to the ZBA hearing. Online, 6-7 pm, agenda in the messageboard.