Protect Our Neighborhood

Join us in opposing an oversized assisted living development in our neighborhood that threatens our community's safety, character and environment.

What Kensington Plans for Our Neighborhood

Kensington Senior Living is preparing a revised plan for an assisted living residence at North Maple Avenue, Marshall Street, and Franklin Avenue (Block 3611, Lots 1, 19, and 22). The prior framework—Ordinance #4052 to create an S-1 Senior Overlay Zone—would have permitted an assisted living facility at this location. An earlier concept discussed publicly was roughly 4–5 stories (about ~71 feet at its highest), which raised concerns about neighborhood fit and impacts.

After strong resident input, the Village Council declined to adopt the overlay and asked the developer to reduce the scale. Kensington will present a new proposal in September - date to be determined. Until the date is confirmed and details are released, this website summarizes what’s known, what changed, and the key questions the revised plan should answer.

View the location in Google Maps

Critical Community Concerns

Busy school zone; deliveries, shifts and emergency trips create more conflict points near already confusing crosswalks:

• Increased daily trips at an already constrained intersection

• Rerouting of emergency vehicles onto narrow streets

• Elevated pedestrian risk near high school, library, sporting fields and parks

• On-street parking spillover into adjacent residential blocks

• Comprehensive, independent traffic impact study not yet available

Traffic and Safety

Ridgewood Character, Charm and Integrity

Height, density, lighting, and service activity must respect the downtown gateway and nearby homes—especially overnight:

• Height/density inconsistent with the master plan - towering over residential blocks

• Erosion of historic context and village-scale streetscape, permanently changing the skyline and "village" feel

• Precedent for additional large-scale rezonings

• Potential adverse effects on nearby property values

Flooding & Environmental

High coverage and grading changes can worsen street and basement flooding without strong mitigation and maintenance:

• Area already experiences regular flooding events

• Potential water hazards from disposing medications down building drains

• Massive building with massive impervious surface coverage

• Inadequate stormwater management for facility size

• Loss of critical green space and mature tree canopy

• Building structure will block sunlight and airspace for local residents on Franklin/Marshall

Process & Transparency

The review process to date has featured limited transparency, compressed timelines, and limited community notification:

• Legal notices were sent only to addresses within 200 feet of the proposed overlay area; impact is much greater

• The basis for assisted-living credits was conveyed largely verbally, with limited advance documentation for public review

• Key on-site impact analyses—especially a traffic study—were not completed and shared prior to consideration

  A compressed summer schedule reduced resident participation

• An upcoming public meeting originally set on a date that conflicts with Somerville School’s “Back to School Night”

(and how this impacts you)

How you can help

Attend public meetings

Speaking during the public hearing places your remarks in the official record. See upcoming meetings and tips.

Community Voices Matter

Write Officials

Send respectful and clear messages about traffic, safety, flooding, and scale concerns.

Share Facts

Request a lawn sign, distribute flyers, donate and point neighbors to our Facebook group.

"My kids cross Franklin every morning — adding ambulances and deliveries here makes those crossing less safe."

Ridgewood Resident

"We support senior housing done right. Show the data, size for peak storms, and keep kids safe at crossings."

Ridgewood Resident