These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City of Somerville website.
Response to Cobble Hill appeal
Somerville Redevelopment Authority, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The authority convenes behind closed doors to hear from the city’s legal department on an appeals court finding – that the city underpaid property owners during a land taking by nearly $30 million. The authority paid $8.7 million for an unused 4-acre property that was once the Cobble Hill Plaza mall at 90 Washington St., but a lawyer for Cobble Hill Center LLC argued that the property’s true value was higher based on theoretical lab development. The court ruled that Somerville must pay the difference. Before the closed-door session comes public comment; the meeting is watchable via Zoom videoconferencing.
Proposed affordable housing
Affordable Housing Trust Fund, 5:15 p.m. Thursday. Trustees hear a proposal from the groups Just A Start and Somerville Community Land Trust to build an affordable housing development project at 297 Medford St., Winter Hill. The empty lot, last occupied two years ago, is listed for $5 million but could house 33 apartments by right. Watchable via videoconferencing.
Update on Winter Hill housing
Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan Civic Advisory Committee, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday. An update to a development at 299 Broadway, a 288-unit housing complex to include almost 30,000 square feet of retail and park space. The long-awaited project aims to reuse land once used by a Star Market grocery store. Watchable via Zoom videoconferencing.
Somernova expansion process
Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development, 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Somerville is updating zoning with resident feedback to address the potential expansion of Somernova, a 7.4-acre campus hosting tech startups and artists. The plan would create a “research and development district” in balance with protections for the area’s arts economy. A final meeting to present drafts of the project plan will be held at Somernova, 8 Tyler St., Ward 2, and is watchable via videoconferencing.
New retail, housing development
Planning, Preservation and Zoning, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday. A development team requests feedback on plans to construct a three-story retail and residential building at 675 Somerville Ave., Wilson Square in Spring Hill. Construction would pave over the Petrola gas station and car lot. Designs for the building feature retail space on the ground floor and 14 apartment units above. Watchable via videoconferencing.
Historic residence up for change
Historic Preservation Commission, 6:45 p.m. Tuesday. Owners of a 140-year-old Somerville house are pushing to demolish an “accessory structure” on their property, which has a shed and brick garage. The home, built in 1884, is on the National Register of Historic Places with around 80 other Somerville locations. Watchable via videoconferencing.
Plans to replace aging schools
School Construction Advisory Group, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. A group of parents, administrators, city councilors and financial experts convene to address the failing infrastructure of two Somerville public schools. The group – following the state authority’s decision to grant money to only one of the two schools – will consider the possibility of building just a single school to serve a combined group of more than 600 schoolchildren in a meeting at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave., Central Hill. A wider process to collect public opinion will be launched this month, the city said. Watchable via Zoom videoconferencing.
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