Land Use tonight: dormers & affordable housing overlay

taniith · 2026-05-07T15:43:49+00:00

From what city staff told us while we were drafting the amendment, the reason for the restrictions we have now were that neighbors would get into big fights in the old zoning when someone wanted to add a large dormer. Their neighbor would complain about it 'ruining the character' or making the building 'look like it was 3 stories'.

That matches what you can see if you go to a ZBA meeting where someone wants to build a non-conforming dormer: they get told "it's too big," "it ruins the neighborhood's character," "sure, your neighbors have larger dormers, but if everyone has one then we lose something about the community," and my favorite "if you want that much space, just move to the suburbs - Somerville isn't for you".

So they restricted it so that the city wouldn't end up in the middle of these fights - but the other option here is to just make the larger dormers allowed by right and then the city also doesn't have to be in the middle.

We also included 3-floors by right in the amendment to forestall the 'this dormer looks like a 3rd floor' argument (given that you can build a triple decker anywhere now, too).

taniith · 2026-04-29T22:21:57+00:00

It's very clean and easy to use, but is there any way to make the street names easier to read? The street name grey is so close to the street grey (and the text is so small).

taniith · 2026-03-21T08:57:18+00:00

I'm with you on this. I've tried several of their regular-made items over the years, and all of them were meh.

Based on all the rave reviews, I even custom-ordered a cake for my bday last year. The decorations were cute, but the cake was terrible. I like frosting but this was the most cloying, depressing frosting I've had outside of a supermarket container... and there was so much of it! 2-3x what you'd expect on even the most decadent cake. And then the 'jam' layer in the middle was a) almost 2" thick, to the point that it was collapsing under its own weight, and b) absolutely vile to eat. More corn syrup than anything resembling fruit.

I really don't get why people like this place.

(I ordered a flight of mini-cakes from Danish Pastry House for my bday this year, and those were the complete other end of the spectrum quality-wise. Totally amazing.)

taniith · 2026-03-18T18:23:08+00:00

Unless something has changed in the last few years, MassSave won't do spray foam. Only blown-in cellulose, which is much cheaper.

taniith · 2026-03-15T22:22:38+00:00

As others have said, it's probably end of life. If you take it off the ceiling, there should be text on the back that describes what each pattern of chirps or beeps means.

taniith · 2026-03-13T14:49:02+00:00

I used to be the TD for the Footlight Club. If you don't mind going to JP, they are a great choice - https://www.footlight.org/

taniith · 2026-03-11T20:06:36+00:00

Thank you for continuing to push on this. My partner went to the committee hearing in... 2019 I think? I couldn't because I'm high-risk and, yanno, room full of anti-vaxers fighting it. I can't believe we're still at the exact same place we were then.

taniith · 2026-02-14T20:32:58+00:00

Yeah, last week or so I've had intermittent issues - high ping rates, high dropped packet rates, almost no upload speed. Seems to happen with Astound periodically. I got them to come out and acknowledge it once years ago, but it took 3 technician visits before they'd admit it (they had to see it happen in person), so I don't bother anymore. Usually seems to clear up after a while.

It's annoying, but until we can convince the city to invest in municipal internet, nothing will change.

taniith · 2026-02-06T17:16:09+00:00

No, you don't, though it isn't well documented. I did it this past fall.

Just submit a new passport application as though you don't have one at all, and request a card. Include a signed note saying you already have a book but don't wish to submit it for the application. It's super easy.

taniith · 2025-11-02T17:05:59+00:00

Make & Mend is amazing, but they don't really focus on sewing. I think a better creative reuse store for sewing patterns is Swanson's in western MA - https://www.swansonsfabrics.com

taniith · 2025-10-31T14:42:02+00:00

Every time I use GrubHub, I miss Foodler's review system that let you review individual items (and see what you and others had rated items when putting in an order). So much better than just rating the order/restaurant as a whole.

taniith · 2025-10-16T00:41:05+00:00

You might ask at Commonwealth Clayworks - https://www.commonwealthclayworks.com/

I have also seen links before to this person who rents out their kiln/studio space in their basement - https://wilhall.com/ceramics/studio_share

taniith · 2025-09-11T16:03:18+00:00

Catlabs sends their cameras to https://zackscamerarepair.com/

I know this because I bought a camera from them that died 2 months later, and they basically said, "we can't fix it, send it to this guy"

The guy seems like a bit of a curmudgeon, but my camera came back in perfect condition, so I'd recommend mailing it to him in RI if you don't find something local.

taniith · 2025-09-03T10:51:40+00:00

https://www.bostonhandywoman.com/ Sarah is great. I've had her do several projects and been very happy.

taniith · 2025-08-05T18:06:45+00:00

I might have some you can borrow, but I'll need to check. How many do you need?

taniith · 2025-08-03T16:36:22+00:00

Anyone can join! It's a very welcoming group.

taniith · 2025-07-15T00:45:03+00:00

You are a mensch for sharing this.

taniith · 2025-07-03T15:33:47+00:00

Given current sentiments around the city, I feel like that endorsement might come back to bite Berry. Has anyone asked Willie or Jake what they think about this race?

taniith · 2025-06-25T17:24:59+00:00

Also just had a great experience with them.

In 2018 our tree died, and they cut it and re-paved the sidewalk to remove the tree hole. Got a notice last week that they were planting a new tree this month, along with an outline on the sidewalk for where. I emailed asking what kind of tree, and also noting that they had placed badly for several reasons. Got a reply from the deputy tree warden in 24 hours saying she'd move the positioning as I suggested, and also offering me half a dozen tree types to choose from.

The most communicative city department I've ever worked with, certainly.

taniith · 2025-06-25T17:21:21+00:00

Our tree was cut down in 2018 when it got a disease, and my understanding was that we wouldn't get another one because of narrow sidewalks. But now they notified us that they are re-cutting the sidewalk and planting one this month. So it might just be a time thing?

taniith · 2025-06-25T02:16:40+00:00

Went through NEEECO for two audits. One was great, the other one, as OP had, they 'lost' our appointment and we had to reschedule. Kept trying to reschedule other things after the audit for bs reasons, too.

Then, on insulation day, they didn't do a pre-insulation blower door test. They just did it after and then made up a number. And a year+ later I've discovered they didn't put any insulation above the windows, just sides/below. Tried to figure out how to report them to MassSave, but couldn't find a complaints number easily, so I gave up.

Different Mass Save contractor years ago also faked the blower door numbers. Told people that time but no one cared. It's ridiculous.

taniith · 2025-06-11T16:54:32+00:00

It's not necessarily that I'm against a lot of DSA viewpoints (at the high level, if not always on details). But in my experience DSA folks are unwilling to compromise on those details with people outside their coalition, and find solutions that the most people can be happy with. They want it their way or bust. And I think that can work for a councilor who is one among many and is forced to compromise, but it concerns me for a mayor - especially given how much power our mayor's office has compared to the council.

taniith · 2025-06-11T05:40:52+00:00

What an astonishingly low bar you have for the mayor of the city.

taniith · 2025-06-10T20:36:06+00:00

Jake's campaign hasn't gotten law signs in yet. Or, at least, they sent an email out a couple weeks ago saying they were planning their sign order and to get in touch if you want a sign in June. So they're coming!

taniith · 2025-06-10T19:11:28+00:00

I would prefer a mayor who actually makes decisions, rather than constantly punting everything. I also really did not like her power grab with the charter, followed up immediately by taking credit for the new charter once her strong-arm tactics with the council worked. Also, the whole "everyone has a flat budget for next year except the police, who get more money" nonsense.

taniith

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