Development at Cutter and Summer (next to Rosebud)

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

Are folks aware of the 4 story, mixed use development planned for the corner of Cutter and Summer next to the Rosebud? Many of the local residents only recently found out about it and are understandably upset.

The plan is to tear down the old gas station and the adjacent 2 family. The building will be 48 feet high (think One Davis) and will consist of 1st floor retail, 2nd floor office and  6 2-bedroom apartments on the 3rd and 4th floors. There will be an underground parking garage (as they will use the entire lot) that will exit onto Cutter. We are really appalled at the size of this building which will dwarf the adjacent  buildings on Summer / Cutter, not to mention the added traffic entering and exiting the garage. It is simply too big for this busy corner at the edge of a residential neighborhood.

The developer is asking for 2 special permits from the Zoning Board; one to provide 7 fewer parking spaces than is required by the zoning ordinance and the other to allow construction of a 6 unit dwelling. A group of local residents is urging the ZBA to deny the special permits with the hope that a suitably sized building that adheres to the parking regulations, and better suits the neighborhood, will be built.

If you are also concerned and wish to express your opinion and / or become more informed here is what you can do:

- Write or Fax the Zoning Board of Appeals and ask that they deny the special permits for 377 Summer St.
- Call or email Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz: Rebekah@rcn.com 617-718-0792
- Attend a neighborhood meeting hosted by Rebekah Gewirtz
          This Monday, June 1
          5:30 pm at Ciampa Manor 27 College Avenue
- Attend the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting
           This Wednesday, June 3, 6pm at City Hall in the Alderman's Chambers

To view the plans for the development and to read the Planning Board report, go to the city web site and planning board page and view info for 377 Summer St.

Thanks

Comments

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Actually I think the concern is that the current requirement is a blanket regulation for all of Somerville that makes a lot more sense in areas not well served by public transportation. Requiring a development of the proposed size to have the full 24 parking spaces would almost certainly impact the design in a way that would be bad for the neighborhood, since it would either have to 1) be taller, 2) dig a much deeper hole in the ground, or 3) build a parking lot (does anyone really want another parking lot?).

It would also make it a much more desirable place to live for people who already own cars (since spaces would be virtually guaranteed for all residents). It's hard to see how Davis would benefit from this, especially considering it's not like there's any place in the square for a car owning resident to leave their car for any significant length of time right now, so with the exception of the few residents that do get one of the 7 spaces (assuming they are all reserved for residents, which they may not be), everyone else will basically *have* to be carless.