City to hold a series of zoning meetings you can only get to by car.

[rachelmello.livejournal.com]

Today the city announced a series of critically important zoning meetings that will shape the future of the city. These meetings will be held in Assembly Square, which is the least accessible location to anyone who gets around by public transit, bicycle, or on foot, of any location within Somerville City limits.

You can tell them what you think about this at: www.somervillebydesign.com

Yes, you can get there by bike, but it's dangerous and difficult to do so to anyone except a very experienced commuter. You can walk there, by utilizing a cross-walk that is unlit in the middle of a highway off ramp, or by walking an additional mile down to a dark highway underpass. You can get within a tenth of a mile of it by bus, with at least one transfer from most places in the city. Does this sound reasonable to you?

Comments

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

When I think about getting around Somerville by bus, I always think of my neighbor, and what distance she would be able to do on foot. She's not as young and mobile as I am, and my sense of "pretty close" is much longer than hers.

The meetings are from 4pm to 7:30pm, so you have to think, too, what time would you have to leave your day-time commitment to get there, even just for a part of it, and what time would you be able to get home at the end of the day.

I can't think of any parent who is responsible for making sure that kids get fed and into bed being able to make these meetings, whereas if they were someplace central, like City Hall or the main library, they might be able to at least stop in.

[kelkyag]

Google maps says under 500 feet from the 90 stop to where it places that address (probably somewhat more to the door). If that isn't a viable walk, bus transit to most places isn't viable.

The timing of the meeting is a whole different problem. The writeup at least claims it is structured soas not to need to be there the whole time to offer input, for what that's worth.

<Notes the June 26 Mobility, Parking, and Access meeting down on her schedule>

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

The "meetings" are drop in, you can come anytime. If you work 9-5, come at 6.