Council Updates, Happy Holidays, GREAT Electricity Rate News, and More

Combined Sewer Overflow Update
Back in September I held a Health and Environment Committee meeting to discuss Combined Sewer Overflow (CSOs) planning (meeting materials, video recording). It was a great meeting and allowed direct dialogue between City staff, City Council and the three different advocacy groups that presented – the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), and Save the Alewife Brook (StAB). City staff were able to deliver a very detailed presentation on current and previous work as well as how they are continuing to plan for future infrastructure improvements in different areas of the city. The result of the meeting was a policy order that passed, asking City staff to present a matrix of options along with a cost-benefit analysis on a way forward to eliminate CSOs. In addition, the motion asked staff to consider putting together a commission or working group with advocates and subject matter experts to improve public participation for these huge infrastructure investments. On Monday night DPW staff delivered a report outlining the details of the variance process that is being undertaken by the EPA and MassDEP in partnership with Cambridge, MWRA and Somerville. The document goes through all of the procedural steps the City has taken in the last few months and upcoming timelines and decision points. The document also includes recommendations for improving stormwater management regulations for private development, which I have been discussing with staff over the last few months, as well as the announcement of an advisory committee to work with City staff on CSO Control and Stormwater Management. The formal makeup of the advisory committee will be announced in early 2026, but will likely have a wider scope than just CSOs, and will include representatives from watershed advisory groups and technical experts. These are important changes I have been advocating for many years now, and I’m grateful to other local advocates and watershed organizations for continuing to push us forward on a faster and greener path to clean waterways.

Resident Parking Updates
This week I am sponsoring a policy order with Councillors Zusy and Azeem that looks to design ways of improving access to off-street parking for residents who need it. Difficulty finding off-street parking is an issue cited by residents citywide. Despite efforts to incentivize car-free and car-light lifestyles with investments in public transportation systems and bike lanes, many residents still need to or choose to travel by car. Increased automobile ownership associated with new residents moving into the City raises concerns related to traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, while also affecting residents who rely on automobiles, including families with young children, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and service workers. It is estimated that a substantial share of residents in new transit-oriented developments (within a half mile from the MBTA) will nonetheless own vehicles, increasing demand for limited on-street resident parking spaces. The City of Somerville has addressed similar challenges by making most residents of new transit-oriented developments ineligible for on-street resident parking permits, while providing exemptions through an application process for choice-limited residents, including individuals with disabilities and residents of affordable housing units. This policy order asks City staff to consider the Somerville model and identify policy options to ensure that new transit-oriented residential development is truly reflective of the design, and not an increased burden to residents who rely on cars for travel.

Mass Ave and Cambridge Street Zoning
On Monday we have two major zoning petitions before us. For the Massachusetts Avenue petition, I have proposed that we approve the heights recommended in the Mass Ave Planning Study, of 11 stories with first floor retail, which will include inclusionary units. Some residents have expressed concerns with the higher heights expressed in the Porter Square area. It’s very important to note that the heights in Porter Square are different from the rest of Mass Ave because they will be part of a PUD district. That means that development is not as-of-right as in other areas. In Porter Square, all large developments would be part of a public negotiation with developers and City staff that would include significant investments in open space and public benefits – similar to what will be happening with Healthpeak in the Alewife Quandrange. While I do support having the new council vote on the proposal and have asked my colleagues to consider that option, I am considering whether to support the Mass Avenue one if my proposal to reduce heights to 11 stories passes. The Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS) did include a full contingent of residents and the current proposal is mostly reflective of that report. On the contrary, the Cambridge Street petition had far less public input and the current petition is not as reflective of the community recommendations. Additionally, there are several changes still being contemplated, including requiring first floor retail for new developments, which will require an additional petition being filed. I support holding off on this petition until at least January until we have an opportunity to pass a complete petition that includes all of the recommended changes. One very important part of both zoning petitions is doing all we can to ensure that the housing we get is the housing that we want, and that affordable units will be required. Many people have expressed concerns about potential changes to inclusionary zoning due to either a nexus study or court appeals – I am working with colleagues and City staff to ensure that the zoning is reflective of that reality, and that even if changes are made down the road to inclusionary housing program, that additional height benefits are only delivered with the affordability promised. And if we need to make additional changes down the road to adjust to changing circumstances, I am committed to that as well.