SUMMER STREET SHAFT COMMUNITY

Emerald Development's Proposal

• Plan 1: North and East Elevation
  
• Plan 2: South and West Elevation
  
• Plan 3: Parcel Area Plan
  
• Plan 4: Site Plan
  

Emerald has proposed to construct a four-story apartment building with 16 two-bedroom luxury condominium units. The number of units was reduced to 14 by proposing to place two affordable units off-site. The project includes building underground parking with underground elements at zero foot setback from Dr. Butt's property line.

The project site is in CBD district and Emerald is using commercial ordinances to build a residential building in a mostly residential neighbourhood. In the North and South, all houses are residential On the Easterly side, Dr. Butt's house is mostly residential. On the West side, there is a VFW parking lot.

According to the Somerville Zoning Ordinances, any residential building with more than 7 units, requires a Special Permit with a Site Plan Review (See Zoning Ordinance). Emerald AS OF RIGHT in the CBD district is limited to the construction of 7 units condominium complex. Emerald has NO right to build more than 7 units that violate the zoning laws by crowding the area, blocking the view, sunlight, air, wind, temperature. MBTA required in the RFP (Request For Proposal to purchase land from the MBTA) that Emerald have 10-15 feet permanent fence around the shaft site area. However, this was changed to zero feet for the benefit of Emerald without any public notice.

Emerald plans to construct and install structural support for the underground parking project under Dr. Butt's property with complete disregard to Dr. Butt's foundation. The Structural Engineer recommends a soil analysis before attempting this construction.

Due to the magnitude of the Project, Emerald will cause excessive crowding, increased risk of damage to neighboring properties and high-risk of fire hazards. The oversized project can only fit in this very limited delicate shaft site area by constructing at zero foot setback to Dr. Butt's house and the MBTA shaft, as well as acquiring additional land from the VFW Parking lot.

The additional land from the VFW Parking lot was enforced by the Fire Department to meet the fire codes of the City of Somerville. However, no attempt was made to meet the requirements next to Dr. Butt's property. Note that these safety recommendations were not made by the Zoning Board. Indeed, Emerald's own architect pointed out that there was a high risk of fire hazard next to Dr. Butt's property.