1. What one cannot do very well on line is to negotiate a deal that is better for the City than the paltry four parking meters (not even new meters are specified) offered by the very able Oath lawyer (Richard di Girolamo) for traffic/parking mitigation. A better deal-- including, for example, the clean up measures undertaken by Dunkin Donuts-- will require the intervention of the Ward Alderman, after taking a neighborhood sounding. The question is not simply whether or not to welcome a new business but the terms on which this is done. This is why I noted that it will be an interesting test of Lance Davis, for whom I voted, to see whether he asks for a postponement in tomorrow's planning board hearing pending a neighborhood sounding, and why the failure of the planning staff to provide explicitly for a such a sounding is a significant omission for a flagship change of use location. At the very least, the Alderman and those living in the area should be given a chance to review the privately commissioned traffic and parking study.
2. On the larger philosophical issue of the relation between result-oriented and process-oriented thinking, a great deal depends on time and place. We live in a rule of law country that from its founding has institutionalized multiple levels of review, participation and reconsideration. It is also a country noted for its dynamism, innovation, adaptability and problem solving culture. So the question is always how to combine these. And there is formula applicable to all situations at all times.
3. Somerville, because it is so densely populated, is understandably more inclined to procedural issues-- permitting, licensing, regulation, citizen participation-- than, say, a strip mall in Texas where property owners can more easily dump the burden of their externalities into the wide open spaces. The somewhat funky character of Davis Square is the product of the interplay between market forces and citizen/City planning and review. It will achieve its full business potential with a re-zoning that invites citizen and aldermanic input. To its credit, OSPCD has undertaken this task.
Since Davis Square is home to many one-of-a-kind businesses and the burial for more chain outlets than Singer, it is not plausible to argue that the Somerville combination of the two modes of thought-- procedural and result/market-oriented-- has been inherently hostile to start-ups.
4. In the Oath case, the main externality, which is not trivial, is increasing the already serious bottleneck for pedestrians and cars at the junction of Day, Elm and Highland. Even with a virtually dormant Singer outlet, there is very often a car idling in the illegal space in front of that store while the driver runs out to make a quick purchase or pickup at one of the surrounding businesses or ATMs. This will obviolusly become a greater problem with a fast food store, and looking down the road a more serious consideration if the Mike's Plaza plan takes shape. Against this, must be balanced the revived use of a previously sleepy corner space-- indeed, a flagship space-- in Davis Square. I for one am not so smitten with the positive prospects as to think that the offer of four parking meters accepting coins and credit cards is sufficient to gloss over the obvious problems.
5. Tomorrow, we shall see whether Mr. Davis takes a role in this at the first public hearing.
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Re: lack of due diligence by planning staff
Date: 2016-01-19 10:24 pm (UTC)1. What one cannot do very well on line is to negotiate a deal that is better for the City than the paltry four parking meters (not even new meters are specified) offered by the very able Oath lawyer (Richard di Girolamo) for traffic/parking mitigation. A better deal-- including, for example, the clean up measures undertaken by Dunkin Donuts-- will require the intervention of the Ward Alderman, after taking a neighborhood sounding. The question is not simply whether or not to welcome a new business but the terms on which this is done. This is why I noted that it will be an interesting test of Lance Davis, for whom I voted, to see whether he asks for a postponement in tomorrow's planning board hearing pending a neighborhood sounding, and why the failure of the planning staff to provide explicitly for a such a sounding is a significant omission for a flagship change of use location. At the very least, the Alderman and those living in the area should be given a chance to review the privately commissioned traffic and parking study.
2. On the larger philosophical issue of the relation between result-oriented and process-oriented thinking, a great deal depends on time and place. We live in a rule of law country that from its founding has institutionalized multiple levels of review, participation and reconsideration. It is also a country noted for its dynamism, innovation, adaptability and problem solving culture. So the question is always how to combine these. And there is formula applicable to all situations at all times.
3. Somerville, because it is so densely populated, is understandably more inclined to procedural issues-- permitting, licensing, regulation, citizen participation-- than, say, a strip mall in Texas where property owners can more easily dump the burden of their externalities into the wide open spaces. The somewhat funky character of Davis Square is the product of the interplay between market forces and citizen/City planning and review. It will achieve its full business potential with a re-zoning that invites citizen and aldermanic input. To its credit, OSPCD has undertaken this task.
Since Davis Square is home to many one-of-a-kind businesses and the burial for more chain outlets than Singer, it is not plausible to argue that the Somerville combination of the two modes of thought-- procedural and result/market-oriented-- has been inherently hostile to start-ups.
4. In the Oath case, the main externality, which is not trivial, is increasing the already serious bottleneck for pedestrians and cars at the junction of Day, Elm and Highland. Even with a virtually dormant Singer outlet, there is very often a car idling in the illegal space in front of that store while the driver runs out to make a quick purchase or pickup at one of the surrounding businesses or ATMs. This will obviolusly become a greater problem with a fast food store, and looking down the road a more serious consideration if the Mike's Plaza plan takes shape. Against this, must be balanced the revived use of a previously sleepy corner space-- indeed, a flagship space-- in Davis Square. I for one am not so smitten with the positive prospects as to think that the offer of four parking meters accepting coins and credit cards is sufficient to gloss over the obvious problems.
5. Tomorrow, we shall see whether Mr. Davis takes a role in this at the first public hearing.