Attend Somerville meetings from Nov. 28-Dec. 4: Plans for the Broadway Star Market after 15 years
These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City of Somerville website.
The Star Market on Broadway in Somerville has been closed since 2007. (Photo: Marc Levy)
Calmer traffic, better mobility
City Council Traffic and Parking Committee, 6 p.m. Monday. This committee chaired by city councilor Beatriz Gomez Mouakad will discuss proposed traffic-calming measures for throughout the city. Watchable by video conferencing.
Monitoring short-term rentals
City Council Legislative Matters Committee, 6 p.m. Tuesday. This committee run by city councilor Lance Davis will consider how to monitor compliance with the city’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance. Watchable by video conferencing.
Making recreation more equitable
City Council Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families and Vulnerable Populations Committee, 6 p.m. Tuesday. This committee run by city councilor Beatriz Gomez Mouakad will hear a report from the director of parks and recreation regarding enrollment processes, matriculation data, staffing and programs offered in the past five years, considering how to eliminate equity barriers for residents signing up for Recreation Department programs. Watchable by video conferencing.
Proposal at Broadway Star Market
Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m. Wednesday. Three companies make a combined bid for redeveloping 299 Broadway – a Star Market that has been empty since closing in 2007 – into two six-story buildings with 288 residential homes, of which 132 would be affordable, plus two civic spaces. There would be 293 bicycle parking spaces, but none for cars. Mark Development, Beacon Communities Services and Rise Together seek a comprehensive permit under state “40B” laws, which in this case would be used to reduce administrative hurdles. The developers ask waivers from various city ordinances and zoning requirements, including about massing and open space setbacks, screening requirements and on-street parking. Watchable by video conferencing. (Update on Nov. 30, 2022: All issues were continued to a Dec. 14 meeting because not enough board members attended to form a legal quorum.)
the Star market site is perfect for more housing. But it is all in the design. everyone deserves to live in a nice place including open green space and trees. are the buildings just going to be 2 6-story square towers or something imaginative like 2- “L”s fitting together. And again it seems short-sighted to eliminate ALL parking. what about visiting nurses and healthcare workers? deliveries and pick-up? and it is not the easiest for public transportation. Without good design it might as well be warehouses. There is a good opportunity for model housing here.