Land Use Committee

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Land Use Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 5, 2023 6:30 PM This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair McLaughlin at 6:30 pm and adjourned at 6:58 pm with a roll call vote of 4 in favor (Councilor Wilson, Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Councilor Ewen-Campen, and Chair McLaughlin), 1 absent (Councilor Davis), and none opposed. Councilor Davis was absent because he was attending a Ward 6 community meeting. Others present: Neha Singh – Mayor’s Office, Dan Bartman – OSPCD, Tom Galligani – OSPCD, Doug Gensler – North River Company, Stephanie Widzowski – Clerk of Committees. Roll Call Present: Chairperson Matthew McLaughlin, Ben Ewen-Campen, Beatriz Gomez Mouakad and Jake Wilson Absent: Vice Chair Lance L. Davis 1. Committee Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of September Minutes 21, 2023. (ID # 23-1417) RESULT: ACCEPTED AYE: Chairperson McLaughlin, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad and City Councilor At Large Wilson ABSENT: Vice Chair Davis 2. Public NRL WSC 200 Inner Belt Prop, LLC requesting a Zoning Map Amendment Communication to change the zoning district of 200 Inner Belt Road from Commercial (ID # 23-0940) Industry (CI) to High-Rise (HR). Councilor Ewen-Campen recused himself, as his mother is a property owner on the list of abutters. Dir. Galligani said that the developer team hosted the recommended community meeting to touch base with residents in which much public feedback was given. The developer had said that they would follow up with residents, discussing how to modify zoning to both meet their goals and address concerns about unlimited development. Doug Gensler, representing the developer, said they are scheduling a community meeting with Ward Two City Councilor Scott this month. He added that their objective in collaborating with the city is to seek additional funding for the bridge project as a community benefit. There will be another round of funding next spring to pursue, which would ensure that sites adjacent to the bridge could support housing. Mr. Gensler said that this is not required by the state, but is encouraged. Page 1 of 4 Land Use Committee Meeting Minutes October 5, 2023 Councilor Wilson summarized his own takeaways from the community meeting, including frustration over a lack of a small area plan for Brickbotom and concern for the impact on 86 Joy St., and encouraged the developer to relay short- and long-term plans clearly to Joy St tenants. Chair McLaughlin asked about the applicant’s intent for this item. Mr. Gensler requested that the item be kept in committee while furthering conversations with the community so that an alternate solution can be developed. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 3. Order By Councilor McLaughlin, Councilor Davis, Councilor Burnley Jr., (ID # 23-0612) Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Strezo, Councilor Wilson, Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Gomez Mouakad 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. Taken together with item 22-1593. Dir. Bartman said that PPZ will be able to focus energy on this item this coming fall. He also received feedback from advocates and members of the public and said that his department is trying to determine the scope and nature of bonuses. Dir. Bartman noted that the two planners approved for PPZ have already “profoundly” expanded the department’s capacity. He spoke to how this and other items are interconnected with the MBTA Communities Act, which has made timing difficult. Chair McLaughlin announced that there will be a public hearing for item 22-1593 related to the MBTA Communities Act on October 19. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 4. Order By Councilor Ewen-Campen, Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Burnley (ID # 23-0052) Jr., Councilor Clingan, Councilor Davis, Councilor Gomez Mouakad, Councilor Kelly, Councilor McLaughlin, Councilor Scott, Councilor Strezo and Councilor Wilson That this City Council's Committee on Land Use work with the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning to draft an amendment to the Zoning Ordinances to remove the prohibition on more than four unrelated adults living together. Dir. Bartman said that the removal of this prohibition is also required by the MBTA Communities Act. He said that an amendment was submitted for the October 19 public hearing with the Planning Board. Chair McLaughlin asked about overcrowding protections, which Dir. Bartman addressed by talking about standards in the building and sanitary codes. He said that these standards are more equitable because they are based on square footage per person instead. Page 2 of 4 Land Use Committee Meeting Minutes October 5, 2023 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 5. Order By Councilor Ewen-Campen (ID # 22-1593) That the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning update this Council on current draft zoning requirements of the MBTA Communities Act. Taken together with item 23-0612. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 6. Mayor's Conveying the Somerville Linkage Nexus Study Final Report. Communication (ID # 23-0356) Councilor Wilson commented that global market and real estate conditions have been responsible for any slowdowns, not linkage fees. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED 7. Order By Councilor McLaughlin (ID # 23-0459) That the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning update this Council on the status of the property on Palmer Court, purchased by the city for the purpose of creating green space. Dir. Galligani said that construction documents were completed on August 30, and he described what is included in the plans for the property, including new yard hydrants, fencing, and ADA compliant space. The city has received one bid so far and is expected to award the contract soon. Dir. Galligani said that PSUF is in communication with garden leaders, who are aware that the city plans to start construction after the growing season. Updates can be found on the SomerVoice page for the Glen Park Community Garden Expansion. Chair McLaughlin said that there have been concerns at the current community garden regarding maintenance, and he requested that those issues be addressed as well. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED 8. Public Union Square One Development, LLC requesting the adoption of a Zoning Communication Text Amendment to Section 8.17. g. iii to permit variations to build out (ID # 23-0635) regulations by special permit in the CC5 District, USQ sub-area. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON FILE AYE: Chairperson McLaughlin, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Five City Councilor Gomez Mouakad and City Councilor At Large Wilson Page 3 of 4 Land Use Committee Meeting Minutes October 5, 2023 ABSENT: Vice Chair Davis Referenced Documents: • Land Use - 2023-10-05 Public Comments (with 23-0940) • Land Use - 2023-10-05 Public Comments-2 (with 23-0940) Page 4 of 4