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

Re: Call me a pessimist but...

[m00n.livejournal.com]

rather than achieve that goal through exemptions, I'd rather see the zoning changed for the district

Agreed. I don't think there's anything about this new development that makes them exempt from the rules other than the fact that they are developing within the Davis Square business district.

they should revoke the right of residents of these buildings to get a Somerville parking permit

I think this would be a great idea, but only if there are already provisions in the parking office for making exceptions based on address. I suspect that right now all you have to do is prove you live in Somerville, what neighborhood you live in, and that you own a car.

You seem to think that by adding all this housing close to the T only people with cars would move there.

On the contrary. I think a greater percentage of non-car-owners will try to live here than in other less transit accessible developments across the city. Almost anywhere else in Somerville that these units could be built would require full car accommodations because 100 percent of the tenants would need to own cars in order to use the space. This would certainly result in more cars in Somerville and more development overall, even if all of the development was slightly shorter.