Neighbors don't want to be left in the shadows

When Union Square residents heard the city's proposal last fall for new zoning that would allow 10- to 12-story buildings to be constructed in the heart of the neighborhood, some were anxious.

At community meetings, they met other neighbors who shared their concerns that buildings of those heights were not appropriate for the square.

So they began meeting and formed a group they later named Union Square Neighbors. The members had a certain expertise -- their backgrounds included town planning, transportation, and architecture -- and they decided to write their own zoning petition as an alternative to the city's proposal, which the group submitted in March.

This month, as the city prepared to release a revised zoning proposal for Union Square, Somerville's senior planner, Joseph Merkel, thanked the group for its input and said the city is now considering limiting building heights to 100 feet, or eight to 10 stories.

The news was a relief to some members of Union Square Neighbors, who were still waiting last week to review the official proposal, which city officials had planned to submit to the Board of Alderm en Thursday.

Stuart Dash, director of community planning in Cambridge and a member of Union Square Neighbors who lives partway up Prospect Hill, said he likes the current scale and character of Union Square, which contributes to activity along the streets.

He said he wants to ensure that building setbacks are appropriate and buildings gradually increase in height. The city's original zoning proposal, which called for 140-foot buildings, would create a "darker, less personal" square, he said. The 100-foot limit would be better, but "it's not as far reduced as we would like to see it," he said.

"Those are pretty tall buildings in this area."

Vickie Choitz, another of 15 or so active members of Union Square Neighbors, said members share a concern that the square's open space, like the spot where a farmers market is held every Saturday in the summer, be maintained.

Choitz bought a home in Union Square in 2005 in part because she knew it was an area that would be redeveloped. She said she is concerned that multi story development in the area could put her home, partway up Prospect Hill, in a valley.

"We don't necessarily want to preserve Union Square as is," she said. "We're not afraid of development. We want it to be done in a way that isn't giving away the farm of Union Square and telling developers you can do whatever you want."

City planners presented their latest concepts at a meeting this month. They said they were considering reducing the size of an arts overlay district and decreasing the density they had proposed for part of the square. They are also proposing that all residential projects with more than eight units be required to designate at least 15 percent of the units as affordable in a limited area along Prospect and Washington streets. They originally proposed 12.5 percent.

The zoning is part of Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone's plan to overhaul Union Square, which includes a new Green Line stop on the T and condominium towers with retail and office space. The city is also seeking partners to redevelop several city-owned properties, including the Washington Street police station, a parking lot on Prospect Street, and a historic firehouse.

Choitz said it's important to have solid zoning in place, but that it also will be essential to stay on top of proposed development down the road. The group has proposed a citizen advisory task force to review development in Union Square.

Reebee Garofalo, who has lived in the square nearly 30 years, said he joined the Union Square Neighbors because he was impressed with the members' expertise and their ability to approach stakeholders in a spirit of collaboration.

"This is a pretty remarkable process going on," said Garofalo. "Hopefully we will come out the other end with [ zoning] everybody agrees to."