Land Use Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 10 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 9/10/25 at 11:00 AM)
2. 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair McLaughlin at 6:31 pm and adjourned at 7:09 pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Councilor Sait, Councilor Wilson, and Councilor McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 0 absent. Councilor Wilson joined the meeting at 6:37pm. Others present: Yasmine Raddassi - Legislative Liaison, Samantha Carr - City Council Land Use Analyst, Madalyn Letellier - Legislative Services Manager.
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_8APyl36gS-S7y4kUBZ86MQ Individuals 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 and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov.
4. 3 Roll Call
5. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of September 4, 2025. 25-1402 Accepted Pass
6. 2. That the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning provide the Committee on Land Use with an opinion as to whether the City Council may dictate standards and materials used for outdoor bike facilities. 25-0338 Recommended to be marked work completed
7. 3. That the Director of Inspectional Services and the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning discuss with this Council, Type IV heavy timber construction now permitted in the 10th edition of Massachusetts State Building Code 780 and potential impacts on inspections, development, and the Zoning Ordinance. 25-0246 Recommended to be marked work completed
8. 4. 15 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. 25-0200 Recommended to be placed on file
9. 5. That the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning draft an amendment to the Zoning Ordinances for transit oriented height and density bonuses for additional affordable housing and other enumerated community benefits. 25-0085 Kept in committee
10. 8 Referenced Documents: • Land Use - 2025-09-18 Memo (with 25-0246) • Land Use 2025-09-18 Mass Timber Presentation (with 25-0246) • Land Use - 2025-09-18 Gilman Square TOD Upzoning Updates (with 25-0085)