Land Use Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 14 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 6/13/25 at 9:15 AM) Original (Posted online: 6/13/25 at 10:50 AM) Revised (Posted online: 6/17/25 at 10:50 AM) Revised (added agenda numbering)
2. 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair McLaughlin at 6:00pm and adjourned at 8:11pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Sait, Wilson, Ewen-Campen, McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 0 absent. Others present: Dan Bartman, Director of PPZ, David Shapiro - City Solicitor, Matt Zaino - Interim Director of ISD, Yasmine Raddassi - Legislative Liaison, Thomas Galligani - Director OSPCD, 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_7lMjzMvoQaSVeLYTSemwMA 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 Joint Meeting of June 5, 2025. 25-1111 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 Kept in committee
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 Kept in committee
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. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 8 and 12 of the Zoning Ordinance to establish a new Arts & Innovation sub-area of the Master Planned Development Overlay District. 25-0131 Recommended to be approved as amended Pass
10. 6. 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
11. 7. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 6, 9, and 10 of the Zoning Ordinance to establish a new Research & Development zoning district. 25-0128 Recommended to be approved Pass
12. 8. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 2, 3-6, and 9 of the Zoning Ordinance to revise the regulations for arts and creative enterprise, office, and residential uses. 25-0129 Recommended to be approved Pass
13. 9. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Article 2 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow the Building Official to waive certain dimensional standards for means of egress. 25-0590 Recommended to be approved as amended Pass
14. 13 Referenced Documents: • Land Use - 2025-06-17 TOD Upzoning Updates (with 25-0085)