City of Somerville header
File #: 211564    Version: 1
Type: Public Communication Status: Expired
File created: 3/23/2021 In control: City Council
On agenda: 3/25/2021 Final action: 3/25/2021
Enactment date: 3/25/2021 Enactment #: 211564
Title: Tori Antonino submitting comments re: #211195 and #211433, using In-lieu civic space funds near highways for air pollution mitigation.
Related files: 211433

  Agenda Text

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Tori Antonino submitting comments re: #211195 and #211433, using In-lieu civic space funds near highways for air pollution mitigation.

 

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Official Text

To the Honorable City Council:

 

I was having a look at the Land Use Committee agenda last night and was pleased to see a zoning amendment that potentially disincentivize developers from building civic spaces next to highways, and by offering an up to 100% in lieu fee [#211433] <https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/OLLuCQWBK9hrWj4TxRAcE>. Huzzah! Since there is a requirement for MPD overlay to situate that civic space within a 1/4 mile (440ft) of the proposed location [also #211433] <https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/HDBvCR6DK3CBLqPHNFzc8> that would mean that these often lacking in open space neighborhoods would still receive that civic space. Excellent.

 

Then I looked at a board order from Councillor McLaughlin asking for the city solicitor to investigate the possibility of using these near highway in-lieu funds to go towards air pollution mitigation [#211195]. What! What does that mean? Does that mean a green space could be taken away from communities lacking in this amenity, often underserved communities whose neighborhoods have been cut in two by highways? Open and green spaces are themselves air quality mitigating tools. They also mitigate the of adverse physical and mental health effects of living in an urban environment. They offer an opportunity of play, interaction with nature, food security and general well being.

 

Would it not make more sense to require green roofs along these corridors in the zoning to mitigate air pollution? Or green roof zoning citywide? This requirement would not need funds from the city. It would just need political will. We need air quality mitigation along highways, but it should not be at the expense of the need for green and open space.

 

The conception that open and green space is the tacit go to sacrifice has to stop. We are in a health and climate crisis. Open and greenspace addresses that. Air pollution mitigation and green and open space work in concert with each other, not against.

 

We need a better solution to fund air quality mitigation that is not taking away our open spaces.

 

Tori Antonino