SCC Statement on FRIT Waiver Decision
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May 24, 2017: Last Thursday, the Somerville Planning Board voted to approve a waiver to the City's 20% Inclusionary Housing requirement for Federal Realty Investment Trust's new 500-unit housing development at Assembly Square.
The SCC Board of Directors
submitted comments prior to the meeting supporting the 20% Inclusionary requirement for FRIT's new development and opposing the waiver request, and also strongly suggesting that the proposed alternative is precedent-setting in at least three major ways and, if to be considered, needed more time for public comment and Planning Board consideration.
There must be robust and extensive discussion and deliberation, at both the City and community levels, so that we can arrive at a renewed agreement about how best to implement Inclusionary Housing in the best interest of the thousands of residents who need housing they can afford. No additional permits should even be considered for anything but on-site Inclusionary Housing development at 20% affordability unless and until those deliberations take place. Read more.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings
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Happy spring! As the weather become warmer and the days longer,
economic and housing
development issues and challenges are heating up also at SCC and in the City.
We have hired two new managers, one of which will head up our restructured First Source Jobs Program
(watch for a piece in our June issue on the program)
. We have also hired a Finance Director. Both new staffers are Somerville residents and both bring impressive experience to our already stellar staff members. I feel lucky to work with such a committed, competent staff.
Things have also heated up for affordable housing in Somerville. Any day, we will close on a multi-unit property on
Glen Street, which will house affordable and market-rate condominiums. We are also voicing concern that the Somerville Planning Board voted on May 18th to approve a
waiver for developer FRIT on the Somerville Inclusionary Zoning
ordinance enacted in 2016 SCC is calling for
robust and extensive discussion and deliberation, at both the City and community levels, so that we can arrive at a renewed agreement about how best to implement Inclusionary Housing .
We appreciate your feedback on our programs, services and policies. Let me know
what you are thinking. And thanks to each of you for all you do for SCC.
Until Next Time,
SCC CEO Daniel LeBlanc
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The members and staff of SCC showed up in full force earlier this month for Lobby Day, an annual event sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC).
SCC Board Member Kathy McGilvray was a featured speaker at the event.
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SCC Welcomes Two New Managers
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SCC welcomes two new managers to our organization -- both of whom call Somerville home: Ray Estrella, our new Director of Finance, and First Source Jobs Program Manager Blake Roberts-Crall.
Ray is an experienced finance professional who is proficient in systems and compliance.
Blake will manage our signature jobs program, which
connects local residents looking for jobs with local employers.
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Celebrating -- "Because of You"
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On May 17th, SCC supporters joined staff and board at Nu Café, next door to our Union Square Apartments, to celebrate the successes of our Social Equity Campaign in 2016, as we kicked-off the campaign for 2017.
Read more
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Glen Street: Affordable Condos Coming to Somerville
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It is an understatement to say that the Somerville housing market is hot. It is red hot, with
the median home value in Somerville at $592,900 -- and the median list price per square foot (psf) at $521, or twice that of Metro Boston's $261 psf.
That is why SCC's Glen Street project, which will bring eight affordable condominiums to East Somerville, is so unique and so critical to the community.
The project is a way to bring affordable condos to a rising market that seems to grow more expensive by the day. Glen Street is the first large-scale affordable condominium construction in Somerville since the mid 2000s.
Read more.
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The Annual Save Our Homes Walk will take place this year on Sunday, June 11th. The walk, which helps to prevent homelessness in Somerville, starts and ends at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Avenue.
Registration opens at 1:30, and the Walk starts at 2:00. There will be music, fun and prizes.
Have a great time while you doing something great for our community.
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