Land Use Committee

Virtual

Agenda — 18 items

1. 1 (Posted online: 4/23/25 at 10:30 AM) Original (Posted online: 4/25/25 at 10:40 AM) Revised (Posted online: 5/13/25 at 10:10 AM) Revised
2. 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair McLaughlin at 6:30pm and adjourned at 8:05pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Sait, Wilson, Ewen-Campen, McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 0 absent. This committee went into recess at 6:31pm and returned at 6:32pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Sait, Wilson, Ewen-Campen, McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 0 absent. This committee went into recess at 6:42pm-6:43pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Sait, Wilson, Ewen-Campen, McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 0 absent. Others present: Michael Capuano - Member of the Planning Board, Jahan Habib - Member of the Planning Board, Lynn Richards - Member of the Planning Board, Michael McNeley - Member of the Planning Board, Luc Shuster - Member of the Planning Board, Brian Postlewaite - Director of Engineering, Brad Rawson - Director of Mobility - Dan Bartman - Deputy Director of Planning & Zoning, Vanessa Boukili - Urban Forestry & Landscape Planner, 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_asZV7-kwSsGCru3TkLQBig 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. Public Hearing
6. 1.1. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Article 2 and Article 10 of the Zoning Ordinance to revise definitions and the green score calculation of columnar trees. 25-0737 Kept in committee
7. 2. 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
8. 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
9. 4. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 2, 4-6, 8, and 9 of the Zoning Ordinance to revise the regulations for laboratory uses and buildings. 24-1460 Kept in committee
10. 5. 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 Kept in committee
11. 6. 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 Kept in committee
12. 7. 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 Kept in committee
13. 8. Horace-Ward LLC, Bealm Realty, LLC, Delhi Properties, LLC, and Delhi Properties ll, LLC requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 11 Horace Street, 5-7, 9, 13, and 15 Ward Street, and 15 and 21 South Street from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6). 24-1584 Recommended to be approved Pass
14. 9. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Article 8 of the Zoning Ordinance to update Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) references. 25-0907 Kept in committee
15. 10. 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 Kept in committee
16. 11. Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 2-5 and 10 of the Zoning Ordinance to remove conflicts with the State Building Code. 25-0457 Kept in committee
17. 12. 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
18. 17 Referenced Documents: • Land Use - 2025-05-15 TOD Upzoning Updates (with 24-0085) • Land Use - 2025-05-15 Tree Definitions Presentation (with 25-0737) • Land Use - 2025-05-15 Traffic Data (with 24-1460, 25-0128, and 25-0129) • Land Use - 2025-05-15 Somernova Zoning Massing (with 24-1460, 25-0128, 25-0129, 25-0131)