Land Use Committee

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Land Use Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 20, 2025 6:30 PM Joint Meeting with the Planning Board This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair McLaughlin at 6:33pm and adjourned at 7:43pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Sait, Wilson, Clingan, and McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 0 absent. Councilor Wilson joined the meeting at 6:39pm. The committee went into recess at 6:34pm and returned at 6:35 on a roll call vote of 4 in favor (Councilors Davis, Sait, Clingan, and McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 1 absent (Councilor Wilson). The committee again went into recess at 7:00pm and returned at 7:01pm on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Sait, Wilson, Clingan, and McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 0 absent. Others present: Samantha Carr - City Council Land Use Analyst, Andrew Graminski - Planner, Dan Bartman - Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning, Madalyn Letellier - Legislative Services Manager. Roll Call Present: Ward One City Councilor Matthew McLaughlin, Ward Five City Councilor Naima Sait, Ward Six City Councilor Lance L. Davis and Jesse Clingan Absent: City Councilor At Large Jake Wilson 1. Committee Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of November Minutes 21, 2024. (ID # 24-1680) RESULT: ACCEPTED AYE: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Six City Councilor Davis and Clingan ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Wilson 2. Committee Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Joint Meeting with the Minutes Planning Board of December 5, 2024. (ID # 24-1766) RESULT: ACCEPTED AYE: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Six City Councilor Davis and Clingan ABSENT: City Councilor At Large Wilson 3. Public Hearing Page 1 of 5 Land Use Committee Meeting Minutes February 20, 2025 3.1. Public Horace-Ward LLC, Bealm Realty, LLC, Delhi Properties, LLC, and Delhi Communication Properties ll, LLC requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the (ID # 24-1584) 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). Attorney Adam Dash and Architect Brian Slozak presented slides outlining the requested changes, the slides are titled Land Use 2025-02-20 Zoning Map Amendment (with 24-1584). Chair McLaughlin opened the hearing at 6:54pm. Three residents spoke in the public hearing. A representative of the Union Square Neighborhood Council, Michele Hansen, shared community meetings that have been held, and the applicant is currently working together to reach a Community Benefit Agreement moving forward. Tori Antonino and Crystal Huff both spoke of the importance of following the green roofs ordinance and the danger of using rat poison during construction and the negative impact it has. Chair McLaughlin closed the hearing at 6:59pm. Comments will be accepted until 9 am on 2/28 and must be submitted to publiccomments@somervillema.gov. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Recommendation Needed 4. Mayor's Request Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.1 and 11.1 of the (ID # 24-1448) Zoning Ordinance to improve the regulation of bicycle parking. Director Bartman stated this change is clarifying language on how bike racks can be arranged and oriented and improve the regulation of bicycle parking. Councilor Wilson asked a clarifying question about the use of asphalt for bike racks, Planner Andrew Graminski shared edits to the language are eligible to still be able to be made and Director Bartman further elaborated the type of materials used and would follow up. Councilor Davis asked if this part of the language is also addressing bike racks outside of buildings, rather as written as inside the buildings. Councilor Wilson responded that the concern for asphalt is for exterior bike racks. Chair McLaughlin made a motion that the Planning Department give an opinion if the Council can dictate standards and materials used for outdoor bike facilities. Motion was approved on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Daivs, Sait, Wilson, Clingan, and McLaughlin). 0 opposed and 0 absent. Page 2 of 5 Land Use Committee Meeting Minutes February 20, 2025 RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Six City Councilor Davis and Clingan 5. Mayor's Request Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Section 3.2.6 Building Types of (ID # 24-1447) the Zoning Ordinance to allow the building types permitted in the Neighborhood Residence (NR) zoning district to also be permitted in the Urban Residence (UR) zoning district. Dan Bartman explained that the amendment was in response to a Councilor’s request and developed with input from Inspectional Services to efficiently address non-conformance issues buildings face. It aims to assist property owners in down-zoning to better align with zoning regulations and supports the city’s broader upzoning goals. Councilor Wilson inquired about the impact on variances and special permits. Director Bartman responded that this change should reduce the city's permit burden, as nonconforming properties will be able to make changes by right without needing multiple permits. Chair McLaughlin raised concern from the public hearing about housing production. Director Bartman clarified that this amendment allows homeowners to convert their homes into multi-unit buildings over time, facilitating the development of housing, including new triple-decker homes on lots previously occupied by one-story commercial buildings or vacant properties under old zoning. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED AYE: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Six City Councilor Davis and Clingan Requested to be Withdrawn 6. Mayor's Request Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 6, 9, and 10 of the (ID # 24-1544) Zoning Ordinance to establish a new Research & Development zoning district. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON FILE 7. Mayor's Request Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Articles 2, 3-6, and 9 of the (ID # 24-1461) Zoning Ordinance to revise the regulations for arts and creative enterprise, office, and residential uses. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON FILE For Discussion Page 3 of 5 Land Use Committee Meeting Minutes February 20, 2025 8. Order By Councilor McLaughlin, Councilor Davis and Councilor Wilson (ID # 25-0085) 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. Chair McLaughlin introduced Samantha Carr as the City Council’s new Land Use Analyst, noting she will assist with new projects moving forward. Director Bartman provided updates on ongoing projects, including collaboration with Medford and establishing transit areas in the ordinance, with plans to continue exploring this in the coming months. Councilors Davis and Clingan discussed transit-oriented upzoning, which has been in progress for over a year, and asked about the timeline for a proposal. Director Bartman explained that the upzoning spans multiple administrations and is on track to produce tangible results by the next fiscal year. Councilor Davis shared thoughts on increasing density, referencing the high-rise in Davis Square and 90 Washington Street, and discussed using height to address housing needs in additional areas. Councilor Wilson expressed support for adding housing near transit-oriented areas. Chair McLaughlin and Councilor Sait both expressed optimism about the progress of the amendment and ongoing discussions to identify areas for upzoning and modify the Zoning Ordinances. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Place on File 9. Officer's Planning Board conveying recommendations for items #24-1447 and Communication #24-1448. (ID # 25-0120) RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED 10. Officer's Planning Board conveying recommendations for items #24-0679 and Communication #24-0680. (ID # 24-1280) RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED 11. Officer's Planning Board conveying recommendations for item #24-0416. Communication (ID # 24-0854) RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED Page 4 of 5 Land Use Committee Meeting Minutes February 20, 2025 12. Public Greentown Labs submitting comments re: items #24-0680 and #24-0679, a Communication Zoning Map and Zoning Text amendment to create the Somernova (ID # 24-1577) Innovation Sub-Area. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED 13. Public 95 individuals, including 61 residents, along with Cambria Hotel, Aeronaut Communication Brewery, and Union Square Main Streets submitting comments re: items (ID # 24-1256) #24-0680 and #24-0679, a Zoning Map and Zoning Text amendment to create the Somernova Innovation Sub-Area. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED 14. Public 3 residents submitting comments re: item 24-0679, a Zoning Text Communication amendment to create the Somernova Innovation Sub-Area. (ID # 24-1221) RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED 15. Public 4 individuals submitting comments re: item #24-0551, an amendment to the Communication Zoning Ordinance to add Section 8.5 Interim Planning Overlay District (ID # 24-1091) (IPOD) and the Brickbottom sub-area. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED 16. Public Susan Lee submitting comments re: items #24-0680 and #24-0679, a Zoning Communication Map and Zoning Text amendment to create the Somernova Innovation (ID # 24-0919) Sub-Area. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED 17. Public 13 individuals, including 9 residents, submitting comments re: items Communication #24-0680 and #24-0679, a Zoning Map and Zoning Text amendment to (ID # 24-0899) create the Somernova Innovation Sub-Area. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO BE MARKED WORK COMPLETED Referenced Documents: • Land Use 2025-02-20 Zoning Map Amendment (with 24-1584) Page 5 of 5