City Hall   93 Highland Avenue,  Somerville, MA 02143

617-625-6600 ext. 2500

Executive Director, Monica R. Lamboy

Contact:
93 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
617 625-6600 ex. 2500

Office Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Thursday 8:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M.

Friday 8:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. 

Mission

The Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) is committed to improving the quality of life for Somerville’s residents by enhancing low and moderate income areas, improving transportation access, and stimulating economic development to increase job opportunities and commercial tax revenue. OSPCD is focused on planning and creating future development opportunities.

Overview

OSPCD oversees various land use development activities within the city of Somerville. This is done through the work of five divisions and the Director’s Office. OPSCD staff are involved in most of the City’s key initiatives including the Green Line Extension, Assembly Square development, SafeStart, and Shape Up Somerville. The department consists of 58 full and part time staff members.   

Divisions

OSPCD includes a number of specific divisions that accomplish these specialized activities.

Director’s Office, or Finance and Administration, provides management and oversight for all the divisions, including coordinating long range planning efforts such as the Five Year Consolidated Plan; managing department-wide initiatives; planning and overseeing OSPCD’s annual budget, including grant resources; and implementing high profile projects such as Assembly Square.

Economic Development aims to foster and improve the economy of the city and its commercial areas through small business support, neighborhood revitalization efforts, and business attraction.

Housing strives to provide safe, attractive, and affordable housing through a number of programs and services that benefit both homeowners and tenants.

Inspectional Services provides permitting, plan review, inspections, and related services in order to comply with the Mass State Building Code and Somerville Zoning Ordinances.  They also enforce state and local health codes and issue annual licenses.

Parks & Open Spaces, which is within the Transportation and Infrastructure division, seeks to improve parks, pathways, and community open spaces in Somerville. They work with community members to design new parks and renovate existing parks and paths and prepare the Open Space Plan for the city.

Planning & Zoning encourages and facilitates development of an appropriate nature, enhances the overall living environment, and shapes the community character in Somerville by implementing the Somerville Zoning Ordinance.

Transportation & Infrastructure promotes smart and sustainable growth through improvements to roadways, paths, and transit services.