Bulldozed property corner of Russell and Elm

[stefanielynch.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know what is happening with the bulldozed space on the corner of Elm and Russell sts? I can't find any news or information about it anywhere.
Thanks for your help!

Comments

[ron_newman]

If you mean Summer Street and Cutter Ave, former Enterprise Rent-a-car, that's been discussed several times within the past year. Click on the 'development' tag. I may come back later with more specific links.

how did i not know this?!

[stefanielynch.livejournal.com]

Thanks for enlightening me on this issue- if I could only determine where Summer really ends and Elm begins...
Is there an organized group (task force or otherwise) dealing with this specific building issue? I live 1/2 block away and had no idea this was the proposal for the space. I think at least my neighbors and I should be made aware- is there something being done about this already and I'm just out of the loop or is there little action? I would have loved to go to those hearings- I've just been waiting for signs at the site to go up and let me know what's happening...
Thanks for your help again!

Re: how did i not know this?!

[m-b-w.livejournal.com]

Some of your neighbors definitely knew about it because one asked for my signature on a petition against the project.

Re: how did i not know this?!

[ron_newman]

Summer Street runs alongside the VFW and up Spring Hill. Elm Street goes to the Porter Square shopping center and Somerville Avenue.

I thought there was a sign on the site advertising the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeal hearing, back before the demolition, but I can't swear to it. The city generally makes property owners put up such signs.

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

Yes, you're way out of the loop. The process is over. This is what's going up in that space (PDF)

http://www.somervillema.gov/cos_content/documents/SummerSt377Plans05.20.09.pdf

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

There is for this project a document or perhaps more than one, that outline the development process and the responsibilities of the developer. You could contact Alderman Gewirtz at rebekah@rcn.com to see if she can get you copies.

As far as not being filled in, they hand out flyers for these community meetings, so you should have gotten one back in May / June when the meetings were held. But the flyer distribution can be spotty.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

Flyer distribution for proposed development meetings can be more than 'spotty'. It is often left in the hands of the ward alderman or the developer, not usually done by the city. By law they are to inform all abutters within 350 (I think that's the #) feet of the property. This is quite a distance, but it doesn't get done if those handing out the notices think they can get away with it. I would contact the Planning Board and your ward alderman and complain. The developer in this case has a bad history with developments and/or neighborhood issues. Another Catch-22 however, is that you are required to be notified only of the ZBA meeting, not the Planning Board meeting. However, the development is pretty much finalized by the Planning Board and the ZBA usually rubber stamps what they recommend. Perhaps another in the list of reasons we have been saddled with so many hideous, over-sized developments!

thanks

[stefanielynch.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your help!