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Union Square Zoning Proposal - 2008 |
The City of Somerville's Office of
Strategic Planning and Community Development presented a new version of
proposed zoning changes for Union Square. The propose three new zones
that would affect areas from Dane Street to just past McGrath highway,
focusing on the corridors of Washington St and Somerville Ave. The
proposal also incorporates the area of Boynton Yards on the other side
of the Fitchburg rail line from Union Square.
The re-zoning includes three new districts for Union Square. The
Commercial Corridor District (CCD) addresses in-fill,
pedestrian-oriented development needs in the core of square on
Somerville Ave, Washington Street, and parts of Bow, Prospect, and
Webster Streets. Transit-Oriented Districts (TODs) foster quality
mixed-use development on larger, under-utilized parcels on the
southeastern side of Union Square and in Boynton Yards. The Arts Overlay
District (AOD) encourages arts-oriented uses both in Union Square and
city-wide such as live- work artist housing, studio spaces and
culturally oriented commercial uses.
A group of community stakeholders including residents, businesses,
housing advocates, preservationists, developers, transportation
planners, and others met for past several months reviewing and advising
the proposal. The group was convened by the City's Office of Strategic
Planning and Community Development led by Monica Lamboy.
This proposal replaces earlier attempts to respond to the future Green
Line with a more transit and pedestrian oriented neighborhood. Advancing
economic development around under-utilized parcels with a mix of
commercial and housing uses, fostering active, pedestrian oriented first
floor uses was a primary goal, with arts and culture, open space,
sustainable environment practices and the district's historic
architecture key elements.
A number of smaller scale community
gatherings and outreach efforts planned throughout the summer (see
calendar) will enable more detailed review and community feedback on
the proposal. The final version of the document is expected to be
presented to the Board of Aldermen in the fall.
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