Citizen’s Petition to Implement a Jobs Linkage Fee
On Monday November 27th more than 50 people went to Somerville City Hall to participate in the public hearing on the citizen’s petition to implement a Jobs Linkage fee at $2.46 per square foot (over 15,000 square feet) and to increase the affordable housing linkage fee to $10.00 per square foot (over 30,000 square feet).
Download a fact sheet on the citizen’s petition to implement a jobs linkage fee.
The City of Somerville will collect these contributions every time a new commercial development is built in Somerville. These linkage contributions will ensure that hundreds of Somerville residents can receive job training and dozens of new affordable housing units can be built.
| The planning board decided to move ahead with the citizen petition and make their recommendation to the board of alderman. This is a great milestone for people who have been working on this for years. Ultimately, the final vote will be taken by the Board of Aldermen. |
Many people testified on Monday with very compelling messages about the importance of both the jobs and housing linkage fee. On Thursday November 30th the planning board decided to move ahead with the citizen petition and make their recommendation to the board of alderman. This is a great milestone for people who have been working on this for years.
We hope that the Board of Aldermen supports implementing the higher proposed linkage by the nexus study. On December 14th the Board of Aldermen is planning to continue the discussion and they may vote on this proposal, so please call your elected officials and tell them that you support the citizen petition that goes with the higher recommended dollar amount in the nexus study.
You can find your alderman’s contact information here.