By Josie Grove

“We exist to implement your vision of the city,” said the head of the Transportation and Infrastructure Division in the Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development, Brad Rawson, at last Thursday’s Ward 6 ResiStat meeting held at the offices of web design firm Velir in Davis Sq. Despite their stated focus on participatory planning, Rawson and Mayor Joseph Curtatone also made it clear that Somerville is reacting to forces outside its control, from the regional housing shortage to the blizzards of last winter.

The city had budgeted $1 million for snow removal last year, but the cost shot up over $10 million by the end of the winter, said Curtatone. But the city’s tone was optimistic. “As bad as the winter was, we are in as good a shape as you can be for a surprise $9 million expense,” said Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Somerville, Meghann Ackerman. Curtatone’s presentation on Thursday supported Ackerman’s optimism.

“The cash reserves are healthy,” said the mayor. “The city’s stabilization fund and ‘free cash’ funds will cover about $5 million, and the city will pay off the balance over the next three years. The city budget will not decrease services to pay the snow removal bill,” said Curtatone. As for city program improvements, “We’ll hold off a year or two.”

Curtatone is confident in Somerville’s economic security for two reasons. First, the city’s structural budget deficit is projected to close in the 2017 fiscal year, despite this year’s snow removal costs. Second, Curtatone and his team envision robust commercial growth over the next fifteen years.

New commercial developments have been proposed across the city, from the Assembly Row development to the old Social Security building near Davis Square. The city hopes that much of the new development will be office space, which would alter the area’s architectural character somewhat. “We’re not going to be building 220-foot towers in Davis Square. But we are missing the ways density can help us,” said Curtatone. He says high-density office space in the heart of Somerville would bring daytime traffic to local businesses, making those businesses more profitable, and more likely to hold heir ground against larger chains.

The mayor also promised relief for Somerville’s residential property taxpayers. The city projects that tax revenue generated by the growing commercial development will make up nearly half of Somerville’s tax base in 2030. “It’s an important shift, and it’s already started,” said Curtatone. “The more commerce that comes in, the less the residential property taxpayer will have to bear that burden.”

The city was vague about the amount of commercial development it would take to create this shift. Longtime Somerville resident and community activist Carol Dempowski was skeptical. “It doesn’t add up for me. I would like to hear concretely how the residential and commercial units would balance.”

Slowing the increases in Somerville’s cost of living is a critical part of planning for the city’s future. “We’re asking the question: who will live here? Growth is fantastic, but if it pushes people out of this community who want to be here, it’s not good.” The mayor stressed the need for more housing units in Somerville, and for the city to have a role in that development.

“Investment is flowing into the community, whether or not we plan for it,” said Rawson. The housing shortage in New England is increasing housing prices across the region, and the Green Line extension promises to push rent even higher in its vicinity.

“We’re halfway through a participatory planning process,” said Rawson. “Having plans in place mean restrictions for developers.” Mayor Curtatone added that one restriction might be changing the inclusionary zoning ordinances, which mandate that 12.5% of larger housing developments be affordable. Curtatone said that proportion could increase to as much as 20%. “Higher density means a higher profit margin for the developers. Those developers can afford to share some of he profits with us.”

The city administration wants to have an active role in ensuring Somerville’s future in the face of larger economic forces and the whims of New England winters. “We need to be bold,” said Mayor Curtatone We need a series of policy and legislative reforms that not everyone’s going to agree with.”