Notices by Crystal Huff (they/them) (crystalvisits@mas.wrong.tools)

I'm so tired of reading something my government has done and immediately bursting into tears because of how bad and wrong and evil it is. 😭 I don't want to grow callous, but these exhausting crying bursts are also exhausting.

Today, a small but lovely victory for my work in scifi. Someone, somewhere is in a book club and they're reading #RecognizeFascism this month. I know because they wrote me about it. 💜💜💜

https://www.worldweaverpress.com/store/p171/Recognize_Fascism.html

I put so much of my heart and soul into that book, and people are still discovering it. Magic. (FYI to @sarenaulibarri as well!) #SFF #Books #bookstodon

@nocontexttrek @pluralistic this alt-text is *chef kiss*

Fuck, we won't even share the library now?!? wtf. #USpoli #USpolitics

https://apnews.com/article/canada-america-library-vermont-quebec-7c4851c705d18e0cc891c3ce085e15e4 US decision to limit Canadian access to border-straddling library prompts outpouring of emotion

Tonight, a super-local meeting for #SomervilleMA -- a development proposal for 205 Broadway in Ward 1.

Meeting is hosted by Councilor Matt McLaughlin. Anne Vigorito is the attorney rep for the developer, Prospect Commons LLC.

Flyer and joining link here: https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2025/03/17/neighborhood-meeting-205-broadway

#MAPoli #SomerPoli #Housing

This site is at the corner of Broadway and McGrath, a former gas station. It's across from the Foss Park (owned by MA state). It has been kinda awful and derelict for ages. The only nice thing, IMO, has been the "NOT ART" paintings on it. (I do not support the Trump-oriented politician who advertises on this site.)

Meeting will start in 2 minutes.

Vigorito begins by saying the old gas station there prob hasn't been in use for 15 years. The plot is zoned MR5, which means it's allowed to be 5 stories by right.
20% of the units of this building will be deeded affordable housing, per the city law on inclusionary zoning.

26 total units, mostly studios or 1 bedrooms with offices, ~600 to 650 sq ft.

Not required to have any parking, but will have 3 spaces for commercial use & delivery vehicles & ride shares.

Site plan approval is required for residential use, from what I can tell. The plan is for residents to be carless, so the parking is only for commercial dropoffs, deliveries, ride shares.

Here's the basic look at the plot.

The architect says any residential units that have balconies have them looking out over McGrath, not the smaller residential streets behind the building. Here's the basic floorplan they're planning on.

We are already at question time! I asked, I would like to know how many of the units will be wheelchair-accessible, and of those, how many will be accessible AND also affordable?

Architect says the units will all be "universal design," and basically accessible but not specifically wheelchair-accessible. 20% of the 26 units will be affordable units, which I think he said was 5 units, and at least 1 of those units to be wheelchair-accessible and affordable.

Aaron asks, "If you have to get special permits and site plan approval, why not also ask for zoning relief and go to six stories? MR6 would be fully within the city’s master plan and the broadway zoning plan, which means it wouldn't be spot zoning."

Attorney Vigorito says basically they're not gonna go through the hassle to do that, far as I could tell.

Joshua asks, "Any thought to giving the fully accessible units their own parking spots to help with mobility issues?"

Vigorito says they aren't required to have any parking.

I followed up, "I’m not sure that answers the specific question — would the developer commit to designating one parking spot for ADA accessibility needs of the accessible units?"

The developer says "no."

"Can you say more about the plan for the commercial space planned? I must’ve missed it — I thought this was fully housing, but it sounds like I missed a step and it’s mixed-use?"

Vigorito says MR5 is commercial on the bottom and housing above. They don't know what the commercial use will be, but Broadway is a pedestrian street, so it could be a food place or something else. Professional office, whatnot. They don't plan a grocery store or cannabis shop.

Tori calls in and says she also thinks this site should be MR6 or above, and wants to increase the housing density.
She also wants to know, if there's no parking, do residents also not get residential parking permits?
She also wants to know if the developer will commit to native plants on the green roof that's planned for this building. Would love to see at least 70% native plants.

Vigorito says she doesn't know about whether the residents will be allowed to have residential parking permits from the city.

I also support the green roof having at least 70% native plantings.

The developer says they have a specialist engaged to help with this. The plants need to be really hardy.

Matt McLaughlin steps in re the parking permit question. Citywide, we now no longer require parking on site for developments, but this project isn't within a quarter mile of public transit, so at this time, people would be able to get residential parking permits if they live in this building.

I asked "Can you say more about the choice for only balconies on the McGrath side?"

Developer says the balconies are somewhat to break up the building's look, but also wanted people on the residential side to not feel like people are looking down at them. The main plan is to have the roof deck/garden to be used. Balconies can also break up the efficiency of the building, so they don't want all walls to have balconies.

Tori asks about the project being by-right. They have to get site plan approval, and MR5 needs a special permit for residential use.

I ask again about accessibility and wheelchair turning radius. They demonstrate wheelchair turning radius in the trash room toward the middle of the floor plan, but that also makes it obvious that the rest of the apartments aren't currently wheelchair-ready.

(I'm going to update alt descriptions of these images after the meeting in case that's not obvious.)