Land Use Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 12 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 8/259/25 at 12:00 PM)
2. 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair McLaughlin at 6:30pm and adjourned at 7:17pm on a roll call vote of 4 in favor (Councilors Clingan, Sait, Wilson, and McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 1 absent(Councilor Ewen-Campen). Others present: Samantha Carr - Land Use Analyst, Dan Bartman - Director of Planning, Preservation, and Zoning, Yasmine Raddassi - Legislative Liaison, 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_Cmc8Uk2FSTSgP7mmQhSPDQ 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 June 17, 2025. 25-1150 Accepted Pass
6. 2. Bill Valetta submitting comments re: item #25-0085, an Order regarding zoning for bonuses for additional affordable housing and other enumerated community benefits. 25-0976 Recommended to be marked work completed
7. 3. Sublime Systems submitting comments re: items #24-1460, #25-0128, #25-0129, and #25-0131, amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for laboratory, research and development, and arts uses. 25-0975 Recommended to be marked work completed
8. 4. 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 Kept in committee
9. 5. 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 Kept in committee
10. 6. 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 Kept in committee
11. 7. 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
12. 11 Referenced Documents: • Land Use - 2025-09-04 Presentation TOD Upzoning Gilman Square (with 25-0085)