Search
 

Ikea Files Formal Protest Over Zoning Proposals for Assembly Square

SOMERVILLE, MA-The battle over Assembly Square, a 145-acre site here, rages on as Ikea formally protests the zoning proposals being

By Naomi Grossman | Updated on January 03, 2001

SOMERVILLE, MA-Ikea, the Swedish furniture company, filed a formalprotest against the three zoning proposals for Assembly Square beingconsidered by the Board of Aldermen here. Alderman-at-Large DeniseProvost, the Mystic View Task Force, a citizen activist group, and themayor filed the proposals.

Ikea did not return calls by press time, but in a released statement,Michael McDonald, the company’s spokesperson, said, “The three proposalswould significantly impede our ability to develop our own property forthe purpose of constructing an Ikea store in Somerville.” Ikea hasalready spent millions of dollars to purchase and clean up the site andthe company accuses the city of changing the rules for building. MayorDorothy Kelly Gay recently rejected Ikea’s plans for its site becauseits plan did not contain enough mixed-use development and the footprintof the store was too large.

At 145 acres, Assembly Square is considered the last site for commercialconstruction here. The zoning proposals attempt to give the city morecontrol over development of the site by imposing design guidelines forbuildings, designating some open space and limiting block sizes. Butbecause Ikea owns more than 20% of the property at Assembly Square, thecompany can lodge a formal protest so that for any of the zoningproposals to become law, at least nine of the 11 aldermen have toapprove it.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.