"This is a good proposal that's come out of a
very inclusive process, but it's clear that a cooling real estate
market has reduced the impetus and the urgency for updating the current
ordinance," Curtatone said. "It's also clear that future prospects for
the proposals will be improved by a renewed community outreach and
education effort. Many residents still don't understand why we need to
make the condo conversion process clearer and more predictable for both
property owners and tenants. We will continue that education process
and revisit this issue when the time is right."

"On the one
hand, I'm eager to move forward with this proposal since it was the
product of so much hard work by both tenant and landlord advocates who
spent sixteen months hashing out a compromise within the Condo
Conversion Task Force," said Alderman Gewirtz. "However, I think the
long-term chances for success are enhanced by tabling this measure for
now and engaging in more outreach and education about the proposal's
benefits to small property owners, in particular."

"Alderman
Gewirtz did an outstanding job of bringing together the broad-based
task force, which involved all of the stakeholders, including tenant
advocates and property owners. Working together, they came up with a
proposal that covered the concerns of owners, renters and the community
as a whole," said Mayor Curtatone. "But it's clear that we have more
work to do to explain the benefits of a new ordinance."

The task
force included tenant advocates, representatives of the real estate
community and staff from the Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning and
Community Development. The ordinance they proposed would expand upon
the existing state statute that governs conversions throughout the
Commonwealth, and would add the following key provisions:

•
For two and three family homes, the proposed ordinance provides for a
shorter notice period than the current Somerville ordinance – namely, a
6-month notice to all tenants. The proposed ordinance also provides for
a lump sum reimbursement for relocation costs of $2,000 for elderly,
handicapped, and low/moderate income tenants and $1,000 for all other
tenants.

• For buildings of four or more units, the proposed
ordinance provides for the same notice period as the current Somerville
ordinance and the state statute – namely, a 2-year notice to elderly,
handicapped, and low/moderate income tenants and a 1-year notice to all
other tenants. The ordinance also provides for a lump sum reimbursement
for relocation costs of $4,000 for elderly, handicapped, and
low/moderate income tenants and $2,000 for all other tenants.

"Both
Alderman Gewirtz and I remain committed to advancing a fair and
balanced condo conversion ordinance in the future," said Curtatone.

"There
is still a fundamental need for an ordinance that protects the
interests of our landlord community and provides protections for low
income, disabled, and elderly tenants in Somerville. We will continue
to work together to meet that need," said Gewirtz.