Somerville Plan Shifts Cobble Hill Parking, Trees
Cobble Hill tenants face relocated parking and tree removal under a proposed seven-story apartment project.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Apartments
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Residents of Cobble Hill Apartments in Somerville are objecting to a city development proposal that would remove trees and reduce green space. The city selected Wood Partners' plan for seven-story rental buildings, with 20% of the homes set aside as affordable.
Why it matters
The city acquired the vacant parcel by eminent domain to build a public-safety building, but the land cost far more than expected and the area increasingly needed housing, so plans shifted to apartments. For the roughly 300 tenants in the four Cobble Hill Apartments buildings, the project means changes to parking, trees, and access near their Section 8 homes.
Wood Partners' proposal calls for seven-story rental buildings with 20% affordable homes, 15,000 square feet of neighborhood retail, and 6,000 square feet of civic space. The plan would relocate 37 parking spaces, and about 300 tenants in the four Cobble Hill Apartments buildings would be affected.
The players
Wood Partners
A developer whose proposal for seven-story rental buildings with 20% affordable homes was selected by the city of Somerville.
Cobble Hill Apartments
A complex of four buildings providing project-based Section 8 housing to about 300 tenants in Somerville.
The details
The proposed roadway would pass through Cobble Hill Apartments and provide ancillary emergency access to the development's western side, with trash collectors also using it. Building it would require removing existing trees and a berm, which is the source of resident objections. Somerville's valuation dispute over the land ran for years in litigation before it was resolved in 2024.
Timeline
2024: The valuation dispute over the land was finally resolved.
Digging could require further testing, safeguards, and disposal procedures once construction begins.
The Home Front
The city's move from a public-safety building to housing follows a years-long eminent domain valuation fight that ended in 2024. The shift reflects the broader pressure on Somerville to add affordable rental housing where it can.
If you rent in an affordable or Section 8 building near a planned development, ask your property manager or the city about parking changes and any tenant notices. Keep copies of your lease and any written notices about construction or relocation so you can refer to them later.
The takeaway
Housing decisions made on public land can reshape the homes of existing tenants, so it is worth following the planning process. Tenants facing changes should request written information from their landlord and the city before construction begins.
Further reading
For more on rental options in the area, browse our Apartments coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Cool Down.
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