"The creation of an additional lot allows them to create a return on their investments," attorney Rich DiGirolamo told the Planning Board at its April 15 meeting.

Planning Board members, aldermen and abutters were having none of it.

Board member Michael Capuano Jr. said the neighborhood is already dealing with crowding and traffic safety issues, especially around the St. Catherine of Genova School. "I don't think the addition of three units and possibly three more is going to help that at all," he said.

"In a city where upwards of 97 percent of structures are non-conforming … I find it difficult to call this not appropriate from a density standpoint," DiGirolamo said.

While a group of residents registered their opposition to the development, Aldermen-at-Large John Connolly, Bill White, Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz and Ward 3 Alderman Tom Taylor, also spoke against the project.

"This is a chance to send a message," Alderman-at-Large John Connolly told the Planning Board. "Just because you can doesn't mean you should. At the end of the day, (the developers) aren't going to be living there."

"By allowing a subdivision here, the message is going to go out that Somerville is wide open," Alderman-at-Large Bill White said. "We have to come to the point as a community where we don't want to be like Bombay, India."

Sara Rosenfeld, a Somerville real estate agent and former Historic Preservation Commission member, defended the developers. She said the city needs more tax revenue to help spread the burden felt by homeowners.

"This parcel needs some additional revenues from it," Rosenfeld said. "I don't understand why there can't be careful and considerate development in this city."

Taylor accused the developers of calling him at home more than a dozen times while recovering from cancer over Christmas to ask for a required curb cut, while not telling him that they were going ahead with plans for a second building.

When developer Steve Lombardo insisted "there was no effort to deceive," Taylor angrily interrupted him.

"This guy is not telling the truth," Taylor said.

"I want you to understand I vehemently oppose this (project)," he said earlier. "This board has the opportunity to end the madness in RA and RB districts. You have the right to say no."

Written comments on the proposal will be accepted by the city until April 30.