Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,
The 299 Broadway project now wants 79 parking permits.
Are you aware? I attended a zoom tonight and there were no neighbors talking against it.
My sense is likely our neighbor, most likely to be impacted, has no awareness of this big change. Everyone probably thought it would go ahead as planned with no on-street permits.
This is literally why the city passed higher density within .5 mile of subways stations, so development would come without vehicles.
I just watched the meeting, people who do not live in Winter Hill at all voicing support.
The parking study by VHB used a radius, that is ridiculous. The ones who will be impacted are the streets in closest proximity, not the ‘radius’ they projected. Plus add street cleaning, snow emergency parking, and visitors to the 150+ units being built, plus parking for the 1st level retail. Its all slight of hand with their presentation. And no neighbors likely know they need to get involved before it’s voted and greenlighted.
They didn’t put parking under like they originally planned. Because of asbestos remediation which they said was too expensive. So they then went forward with the project with no parking. Now the building a which is 100% affordable is using lots of grants to cover costs. And they saved big $$$ in remediation, saved big money with grants, and now want to MAKE a lot more money by getting 80 parking permits granted. Plus, we lost parking spaces, to make way for the bus lane. So people passing thru could be comfortable, now they think nothing of putting another 80 parking permits into the few streets near 299.
I’m Pissed about it. So much for our alderman Clingan advocating for ward 4, or keeping his constituents informed. A major impact of this nature warrants a mailing of surrounding streets, it’s not hard, it’s not expensive.
Next meeting is 18th, different topic, but if people just learn about this, they are certainly entitled to speak on this topic. Before they vote it forward.
Sincerely,
Concerned citizen
I live a few blocks away and in my opinion there are plenty of free spots on the street here. People need cars! I have a car here and I don’t use it very often but it’s extremely useful when I want to visit my parents in upstate NY or I want to go grocery shopping.
The developer should build parking on site too, but at the very least some permits should be granted!