Land Use Committee

City Council Chamber and Remote Participation

Agenda — 15 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 3/26/26 at 9:45 AM)
2. 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and in the Chamber [KW1.1]and was called to order by Chair Ewen Campen at 6:01 pm and adjourned at 8:59 pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Clingan, Sait, McLaughlin, Ewen Campen), 0 opposed. The Land Use Committee entered recess at 6:06 PM to allow the Planning Board to convene and returned at 6:18 PM with 5 members present (Councilors Davis, Clingan, Sait, McLaughlin, Ewen Campen). Others present: Jahan Habib –Planning Board Member, Lynn Richards Planning Board Member, Michael McNeley Planning Board Member, Coralie Cooper Planning Board Member, Amelia Aboff Planning Board Member, Madalyn Letellier – Assistant City Clerk, Legislative Services.
3. 2 Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Copy & paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AhGlcqYpRUOHcn-JN-TNQQ Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.
4. 3 Roll Call
5. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of December 4, 2025. 25-1859 Accepted Pass
6. 2. Public Hearings
7. 2.1. 26 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend the Zoning Ordinance sections 3.1.8c, 3.1.9c, 3.1.10c, 3.1.13k, 3.1.13l, 3.2.12l. and 3.2.12m. 26-0287 Kept in committee
8. 2.2. Union 2 Associates, LLC requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 2 and 9 Union Square, 286, 290, and 298 Somerville Avenue from Commercial Core 5 (CC5) to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6). 26-0257 Kept in committee
9. 2.3. 29 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend Zoning Ordinance Section 3.1.12 Backyard Cottage. 26-0330 Kept in committee
10. 2.4. 14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend the Zoning Ordinance Section 3.1.12 Backyard Cottage. 26-0329 Kept in committee
11. 2.5. 14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend Zoning Ordinance Section 12.2.2 regarding affordable dwelling units. 26-0328 Kept in committee
12. 2.6. 29 registered voters requesting a Zoning Text Amendment to amend Zoning Ordinance Section 15.7.2.d Zoning Board of Appeals Board Rules. 26-0327 Kept in committee
13. 12 For Deliberation
14. 3. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Section 8.1 of the Zoning Ordinance to provide for larger buildings, additional dimensional flexibility, and fewer use restrictions for affordable housing projects. 26-0204 Kept in committee
15. 13 Referenced Documents: • Land Use - 2026-04-16 OneUnionSquare_Public Hearing_V3-1 (with 26-0257) • Land Use - 2026-04-15 (2026) Dormer & 3-Story Zoning Amendment Presentation (with 26-0287) • Land Use - 2026-04-16 Public Comments (with 26-0204).pdf • Land Use - 2026-04-16 Public Comments (with 26-0257).pdf • Land Use - 2026-04-16 Public Comments (with 26-0330, 26-0329, 26-0328, and 26-0327).pdf • Land Use 2026-04-16 Photos (with 26-0330, 26-0329, 26-0328, and 26-0327).pdf • Land Use 2026-04-16 Presentation (with 26-0330, 26-0329, 26-0328, 26-0327).pdf