Vol. 2, No. 3
February 4, 2002
Contents
1) BROADWAY THEATER TASK FORCE SELECTS MUDFLAT PROPOSAL
On Thursday, January 24, the Broadway Theater Task Force met to choose from among
three redevelopment proposals before them. They received some technical information from
city staff, then went directly to balloting without further deliberations. The majority of Task
Force members (six out of ten) voted to recommend to the mayor that the theater building be
sold to Mudflat Pottery Studio.
The time frame for actual transfer of the property was not announced. Questions may be
directed to Project Manager Carrie Sousa at (617) 625-6600, ext. 2500 or
csousa@ci.somerville.ma.us.
2). REPORT ON "FINAL" MEETING ON MAGOUN SQUARE CVS
Who was there?
CVS held its "last" neighborhood meeting on their proposal to build a store in Magoun
Square on Thursday, January 31. The room was filled with neighborhood residents and
business people. Aldermen O'Donovan, White, Desmond, and myself attended, as did the
mayor, OHCD Director Steve Post, Project Manger Carrie Sousa, and Todd Blake from
Traffic and Parking.
What was proposed?
The meeting amounted to a three hour negotiating session between the CVS team and
neighborhood people. CVS presented a prototype "downtown" or "village center" building
design, developed for a project in Lansingburgh, NY, which they offered as the stylistic
model for the Magoun Square store. The facade offers visual variety and windows. It is far
more attractive than the typical chain pharmacy, and was well received by the community.
What were the sticking points?
There were two main issues of contention. The first was that the most recent CVS conceptual
design angled the building away from the street edge. After much discussion, CVS agreed to
submit a plan which puts the building flush with the curb. The more contentious issue was
the traffic flow design, which would put a new exit and entrance from Medford Street.
There would be only an exit in what is now the entrance of the municipal parking lot.
What agreement was negotiated?
Neighbors have been adamant throughout these meetings that requiring a left turn from
Medford Street to enter the CVS site would create an impossible situation in the square.
Todd Blake supported this view, leading CVS to agree that they would keep the parking lot
entrance in its existing location, and eliminate the entrance from Medford Street.
Many neighbors pushed for the elimination of the "wraparound" parking lot, which would
create a new 50 foot wide driveway between the proposed CVS and Canty's Cafe. CVS said
that they would not build if forced to accept an L-shaped parking lot, but claimed to be
"flexible" on the possibility of allowing for only a right turn exit on to Medford Street. Such
a design change would reduce the width of the driveway between buildings to 24 or 25 feet.
What next?
CVS received encouragement to proceed from a conceptual design to a plan sufficiently
detailed for review to the Inspectional Services Division. Since the project will require a
Special Permit with Design Review, it must also go to the Planning Board and the Zoning
Board of Appeals. There will be opportunity for public input before both those bodies.
Many people have actively participated in the neighborhood meetings, and CVS
acknowledged that they found the comments made over the last few months helpful and
productive. Many of the suggestions for design improvements came from, or were in general
accord with, a design proposal put forth by residents and business people organized as the
Magoun Square Revitalization Group. To receive a copy of their mission statement/design
analysis, or to discuss the CVS project or Magoun Square generally, call Sheila Ehrens (617-628-5957), David St. Denis (617-627-9366), or Joe Lynch (617-623-0891).
3) SOMERVILLE FILES COMMENTS ON NORTH POINT REDEVELOPMENT
The Place
Just where is North Point? This 48-acre site, on the northeastern edge of the City of
Cambridge, is separated from the rest of that city by the McGrath/O'Brien Highway and the
elevated section of the Green Line between Science Park and Lechmere. The site is bordered
by the Charles River and has stunning views of Boston and of the new Zakim Bridge. Access
to it is had by crossing under the elevated tracks just across from the Museum of Science.
The Redevelopment Proposal, and Somerville's Stake in it
This isolated and underdeveloped area is now the subject of two redevelopment proposals,
which would create a mixed-use area, a "Back Bay-style residential neighborhood, two transit
stations, 14 acres of open space, and a bikepath leading to a new Charles River park...."
("Cambridge neighbors cool to $1.2b building plan," BOSTON GLOBE, November 18,
2001, pp. B1, B7). Few know that about five acres of the mixed-use development site is
actually in Somerville. Judging by Somerville's comments on the project, recently filed with
the state, our city's administration is similarly cool to this $1.2 billion proposal.
Somerville's Position
On January 15, Somerville filed its comments, pursuant to the Massachusetts Environmental
Policy Act (MEPA), on the Environmental Notification Form (ENF) for the mixed-use
project at North Point. Mayor Gay stated that "I will not support this project and I will
oppose any permitting of this project on the local level," until the project proponent discusses
with Somerville "public safety and tax impact issues that must be explored further." The
Mayor's comments cite inconsistency with Somerville's zoning ordinance, lack of
connections to and traffic impact analysis concerning Somerville roadways, and objection to
the fact that "the development plan places most of the proposed parking structures on the
Somerville side of the project...."
My Reaction
I applaud the city's insistence that closer attention be paid to the impacts of the North Point
project. This project is but one of several currently proposed for the McGrath Highway
corridor, the cumulative impacts of which are vitally important to the city's future. Anyone
wishing to see the city's MEPA comments on North Point should contact OHCD at 617-625-6600, ext. 2400.
I discussed North Point and other McGrath corridor projects in my MEPA comments on the
"IKEA at Assembly Square" proposal. I would be happy to e.mail a copy of those comments
to anyone who is interested. I plan to post them on my website eventually.
4) SOMERVILLE ZONING ORDINANCE NOW ON LINE
Writing your own MEPA comments? Curious whether you can add that deck or dormer
you're thinking about, or whether your neighbor can rightfully build that #!!*!!*#!! that's
taking shape just outside your window? You can now check the Somerville Zoning Ordinance
at
http://www.ci.somerville.ma.us/. Click on City Hall, then Boards & Commissions, then
either Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals to get the Ordinance.
Interpreting the ordinance may be a bit trickier. If you have questions as to how the
ordinance applies, call the Division of Inspectional Services, or Planning Director Kristen
Levesque, both available through the main City Hall number, (617) 625-6600.
5) HEARING ON SNOW AND STREET CLEANING - AGAIN!
The Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works held a second public hearing on the
issues of snow removal and street cleaning, due to the very low attendance at its December
18 hearing. This time, not a single member of the public attended the hearing. I did compile
the comments which I had received, and passed them along to the Committee Chair and to
DPW Commissioner David Dow.
Some points of interest: DPW Operations Director Joe Foti stated that the city has not
plowed at all this season, relying on salt to manage what snowfall we have had. Plowing
when there is less than two inches of snow on the ground simply damages equipment, he
asserted. Commissioner Dow says that overtime dollars saved from plowing have been put
into additional street cleaning operations.
Dow also stated that he did not intend to break with DPW's present practice of plowing snow
toward the even-numbered side of the street. He claims that most of the city's fire hydrants
are on odd-numbered sides of streets, and that where parking is permitted on one side of a
street, it was typically allowed on the odd side. For these reasons, Dow considers that there
is ample justification for the policy of moving snow away from the odd numbered side.
6) RESULTS OF POLL ON TOWING
In December, I conducted a Reader's Poll on whether Somerville should tow parked vehicles
that obstruct regularly-scheduled street cleaning. The question clearly hit a nerve. High
emotions were expressed by many who replied, on both sides of the issue.
The numbers were divided pretty evenly, with ten respondents coming down in favor of
towing, and eleven against. Several of those in favor of towing did so on the condition that
towing be a last resort, only after escalating fines or other measures failed to get the attention
of repeat offenders. Conversely, several of those opposed to towing were in favor of an
escalating fine structure, or even use of the "Denver boot" to communicate the city's
seriousness about clearing the streets for regular cleaning.
I appreciate the response, and the thoughtful observations on the city's plowing and salting
practices, on enforcement of the sidewalk-clearing requirement, and related topics. As
reported above, I forwarded these remarks to DPW.
7) BAY STATE AVENUE AND BEYOND: MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT TRAFFIC
The Neighborhood Controversy
I continue to think about - and hear about - the Somerville Traffic and Parking Commission's
vote to reverse its decision changing the one-way pattern on Bay State Avenue. During the
trial period of the change, Bay State's sample 24-hour traffic volume dropped from 1,093
vehicle trips per day ["VTDs"] in May, 2001, to 108 VTDs. By comparison, the average
residential street in the Ball Square area has a trip counts more in the 400 - 600 VTD range.
Although it did not say so in its decision, the Traffic Commission may have felt that upper
Bay State's traffic count became somewhat too favorable with the one-way change. The
Commission gave public safety concerns as its express reason for reversal. Certainly there
were legitimate objections to the traffic pattern labyrinth that made upper Bay State Avenue a
virtual cul-de-sac, for a few months.
Yet what has been gained? Bay State Avenue residents and their neighbors return to a status
quo with which no one is especially happy. Kidder Avenue, a residential street the same
width as Bay State (40 feet) continues to put up with over 2,000 VTDs. Willow Avenue,
only 10 feet wider, and almost exclusively residential in character, endures over 4,000
VTDs.
The Big Picture: More Cars in our Future
Last week, while preparing my MEPA comments on the "IKEA at Assembly Square"
proposal, I was thinking a lot about traffic - a lot of traffic. IKEA's Environmental
Notification Form (ENF) projects over 11,000 new VTDs to that site, six days out of seven
each week. This projection covers only Phase I of the development, consisting of a furniture
store with its own restaurant.
The new Home Depot permitted by the city for the Assembly Mall site projects 10,000 to
15,000 VTDs. The new Super Stop & Shop permitted by the city projects 9,000 to 14,000
VTDs. That's a total of 30,000 to 40,000 new VTDs on McGrath Highway and adjacent
roadways from these three projects alone. McGrath Highway, which varies in width from
100 to 150 feet, and which also has residential abuttors, presently sees over 48,000 VTDs.
That's right - the additional daily traffic volume from these three projects alone will almost
double the present total for McGrath, whose intersections are already beyond functioning
capacity during peak hours. This additional 30,000 to 40,000 VTDs does not include
volumes from the mixed-use "Phase 2" of the IKEA project, with its office and retail
buildings. Nor does it include the high-density, mixed use development proposed for Yard
21. These Assembly Square projects are not yet in the permitting phase.
Nor do these totals include the two North Point projects, the expansion at Twin City Mall, or
the new Target store outside Union Square, all along the southern portion of McGrath, and currently in the permitting process.
Trickle Down Traffic
East Somerville will likely feel the McGrath Corridor traffic increase most immediately, with
Broadway and other streets intersecting McGrath especially affected. This neighborhood
already experiences high traffic volumes: Lincoln Street, 40 feet wide, over 1,600 VTDs.
Mt. Vernon Street, same width, almost 1,800 VTDs Myrtle Street, 40 feet wide, fairly
steeply pitched, and with a blind bend in it, over 3,100 VTDs. The portion of Pearl Street
from Franklin Street to Cross Street, same width, gets about 3,500 VTDs.
What will the increases be on those residential street when volumes on McGrath, and on
Broadway, increase? How far westward will the impacts be felt along Broadway - on Winter
Hill, in Magoun Square, and around Ball Square?
It's not fair that Bay State Avenue should have 1,000 VTDs, nor is it fair that Lincoln Street
should have 1,500. In both these cases (and in countless others), the bulk of the traffic in our
residential neighborhoods is cut-through traffic, commuters leaving packed highways to seek
the path of least resistance between their suburban homes and the employment centers of
Boston and Cambridge. As yet we have relatively little traffic drawn to Somerville as a
major retail destination, but this will happen as the new projects come on line.
Solutions?
As we seek fair and rational traffic patterns in our neighborhoods, we have to keep sight of
this city as a unified traffic system within a regional traffic system. "Sprawl" development is
increasing the number of vehicles on the road, the length of commutes, and the consequent
impatience of commuters. All of Somerville's neighborhoods pay the toll, so to speak.
Ultimately, we accomplish little by pushing this traffic burden from one street to another
within our city. Unfortunately, we perceive little else in our "tool box" that will provide
relief.
Due to the space limitations of this newsletter, I've just sketched out the magnitude of the
problem. In the next newsletter, I will discuss concrete steps that we can take to address our
common traffic woes. Such an effort will be a worthy, and worthwhile, use of our energies
and skills as a community.
8) WARD 5 CAUCUS PROVES AGAIN: EVERY VOTE COUNTS!
The Ward 5 Democratic Caucus was an astonishing display of participatory democracy this
year. Throngs of people stood in line to be admitted to a hot, cramped kindergarten
classroom in the Brown School to elect delegates to this year's state convention. The crowd
participated patiently while standing elbow to elbow, sitting on the floor, or perched on
miniature chairs.
Those in attendance then waited for the tiny, handwritten paper ballots to be tabulated, to
find out that the winners were:
Female delegates:
Ellen McPherson 58 votes
Gay Koty 57
Louise Leland 57
Nicole Norton 56
With 55 votes, I just missed winning a delegate's position, and qualified only as an alternate.
The winning male delegates were:
Stan Koty 58 votes
Frank Leland 57
Michael Fager 53
Jason Knight 53
Two other men, Mitch Evich and Jonathan Rich, also received 53 votes, and agreed to go as
alternates, rather than require the balloting to continue.
My great thanks to everyone who gave up what turned out to be an entire Saturday morning
to come to the caucus and vote. I hope that some will be sufficiently intrigued by this
grassroots political ritual to make it an annual observance.
9) PUBLIC HEARING ON SCHOOL HEAD LICE POLICY
To my slight chagrin, not one member of the public attended the Somerville Board of
Health's public hearing on revisions to the head lice policy followed by the Somerville
Schools. The good news is that Diana Seufert, the School Nurse Leader, has proposed that
parents now be notified when a single case is discovered in a child's classroom, and has
improved the information/notification forms to be sent home.
Ms. Seufert will also be introducing a quarterly publication, tentatively called "School Nurse
News," to improve communication with families on health issues. The first issue may appear
in the spring, definitely by next fall. I am very grateful to Ms. Seufert for her excellent
efforts.
10) MEETING ON COMMUNITY POLICE PROGRAM
On Tuesday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m., the aldermanic Committee on Public Health and
Public Safety will meet to discuss police issues, including the Community Police Program.
The original Board Order on this matter called for a public hearing; I hope and expect that
this will be a feature of the meeting. To the best of my knowledge, it will take place in the
second floor Committee Room.
11) SOMERVILLE BRAINTEASER QUIZ RESULTS; NEW QUIZ!
The winner of January's quiz is ... a tie. Reader Barbara Steiner who attributed the
quotation, "I...am quite sure that those who come after us will blame us for sacrificing such
a spot to the demands of business...," to Aldermen at Large Bill White. She said that the
location was Assembly Square, the year 2001, the Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay, and the
business demands, those of big box retail.
Reader Jane Bestor thought that the quotation referred to the demolition of the historic Elks'
Club on Highland Avenue in 1994, to provide a parking lot for Anthony's Function Hall,
during the Capuano administration. Both guesses have merit. I had thought that someone who
frequents the local history room at the library might know the original reference, but
apparently the historians were otherwise engaged.
The true answers are:
a) Whose words are these? Martha Perry Lowe, who came to Somerville in 1859, when her
husband became minister of the Parish of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Society of
Somerville.
b) In what year? Mrs. Lowe wrote these words in 1897.
c) About what Somerville "spot"? Mrs. Lowe referred to the McLean Asylum, which then
stood on Cobble Hill in East Somerville. Its main building was the former Joseph Barrell
mansion, designed in 1792 by Charles Bulfinch, the architect of the Massachusetts State
House and many other notable structures.
d) "Sacrificed" when? The Barrell mansion was demolished in 1896.
e) To what "demands of business"? The business proposal was to construct railroad yards in
East Somerville.
f) Under what Mayor? Albion A. Perry was elected mayor in 1896.
For the next quiz, I will move from the obscure to the widely known: Where can one still
view the original staircase from the Barrell mansion, rescued from demolition? The winner
will be the earliest-dated correct answer. The prize will be proportionate to the difficulty of
this question.
copyright 2002 Denise Provost
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