Local Group Files Appeal To Prevent Development of 280,000-SF IKEA

Bill Shelton, president of the group tells GlobeSt.com that his group filed the suit against the Swedish furniture company and the city's planning board contending that both parties have not done enough to mitigate the increased traffic the store will create. "IKEA will bring over 6,000 new trips per day and the only mitigation is to coordinate traffic signals," says Shelton.

But Bill Doncaster, a spokesperson for Somerville Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay, tells GlobeSt.com "a lot of work is being done to mitigate [increased traffic]. No one has ever ignored that there will be traffic impacts. That's always been a large part of it." Doncaster adds that he is "disgusted" by the lawsuit and contends that the suit is an indication that Mystic View just doesn't want the store built. "Mystic View just had a positive meeting with IKEA last week," says Doncaster. "It's unconscionable that a small group is deciding what is best for the city. These huge parcels are ready and waiting for commercial development."

Doncaster points out that Somerville is largely residential and the city has been looking to increase its tax base by developing Assembly Square, a 145-acre parcel that includes a failed mall and large tracts of barren land. The store would be developed on a 16.6 acre parcel owned by IKEA. The company has also agreed to develop one million sf of office space on the site as well as a five-acre park.

Shelton insists that his group is not opposed to development per se. He says the group filed "reluctantly" and only to preserve its legal right. "We believe the store could sit on the site with a traffic solution," he says, but adds, that "admittedly, we haven't discussed it that much" with the company. Shelton says that his group wants to see IKEA encourage shoppers to take public transportation by offering things like free or low cost shipping to mass transit users as well as making a commitment to the commuter rail lines.

But Doncaster points out "there comes a point when compromise is necessary. The fact is everyone approached this with the intention of it being an open process. The entire city had access to this project," a fact that Shelton does not disagree with.

Joseph Roth, head of property public affairs for IKEA, tells GlobeSt.com that the company is "deeply disappointed by Mystic View Task Force's decision to appeal the special permits. We've gone through a lengthy process. It's a shame that a small group of people can delay a project that has widespread community support."

Roth adds that IKEA is not going anywhere. "We remain fully committed to Somerville," he says. "We invested three and half years and million of dollars. We're confident the project is sound and is beneficial to the community."