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Jen Brown submitting comments re: #202853, Union Sq zoning.
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To the Honorable Board:
Thank you so much for everything you're doing to make sure developers are held accountable to the Somerville community. I'm writing because as a 10 year resident of Somerville, I want to ask for your help in making sure the development in Union Square helps stabilize our community. Please continue supporting a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) in Union Square to promote development without displacement.With a CBA, Somerville residents would be able to negotiate for living wage jobs, a community center, rights for displaced residents and businesses, commercial versus residential phasing, green and open space and other benefits that the Union Square community deserves. US2 claims that they have agreed to negotiate a CBA in good faith. But they said last month that they will only negotiate about things that cost no money. We don’t think that’s good enough! If Union Square zoning passes on May 31 and US2 has not committed to a real CBA in good faith, we will not get any of the benefits we want to see in Union Square.Will you commit to including CBA language directly in the Union Square zoning? Will you commit to postponing a vote on the zoning until we ensure US2 has committed to a CBA?
Sincerely,
Jen Brown