News & Announcements

Last night, the Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a proposal to redevelop 299 Broadway, the vacant Star Market parcel. This is a long-sought victory for housing in Somerville, and we're thrilled that so much of the project will be deed-restricted, below-market-price, affordable housing. You can learn more at

299broadwaysomerville.com

. In particular, we'd like to recognize the advocacy of City Councilors Jesse Clingan, Jake Wilson, and Willie Burnley Jr. among the many other people who have helped bring this project so far.

The developers are also applying for tax increment financing (TIF), which is a limited time tax break on the increased value of the property once they develop it. That is likely going to the city council finance committee later this month, and we'll keep you posted on that.

Planning and Land Use

The

Planning Board

and the

Land Use Committee

will hold a joint meeting this evening starting at six. Agenda items include a proposal to build housing on Bow Street, the

7th Spoke development in Davis Square

, and several interesting zoning changes about neighborhood meetings, signage, and expanding the permitted uses of ground floor retail space on specially designated pedestrian streets. We hope to see you there.

Other News, from Local to National:

• A recent op-ed in DotNews argues that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's housing plan isn't sufficiently focused on housing production.

• State representative Mike Connolly is renewing a push for rent stabilization in combination with a "housing for all" initiative. We look forward to learning more details as that progresses.

• A new class action lawsuit may force Massachusetts to do more to create affordable and accessible housing for people with disabilities.

• WPRI reports on the conflict between Rhode Island state housing initiatives and local politicians who want to preserve their power to block housing.

• The Washington Post has a great explainer with ample citations about how housing abundance reduces prices, in case anyone you know doesn't believe it.