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Land Use Committee

Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Online only

This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.

▶ Watch video Agenda PDF Minutes PDF View on Legistar

What happened

5 items of legislation were taken up.

  • 1 accepted
  • 1 recommended to be marked work completed
  • 1 recommended to be not approved
  • 1 recommended to be approved
  • 1 recommended to be withdrawn

Agenda 5 items

Notices from the agenda

This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair McLaughlin at 6:30 pm and adjourned at 6:47 pm with a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilor Wilson, Councilor Pineda Neufeld, Councilor Ewen-Campen, Councilor Davis and Chair McLaughlin), none absent, and none opposed. Others present: Dan Bartman – PPZ, Stephanie Widzowski – Clerk of Committees.

(Posted online: 3/14/24 at 8:00 AM)

Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, 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_m1E2SiDRR2GyU9yV9ym4Kg 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.

Roll Call

The following item (23-1306) has been WITHDRAWN by the applicant.

  1. 1.
    24-0186 Committee Minutes Accepted

    Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of February 15, 2024.

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
  2. 2.
    24-0112 Public Communication Recommended to be marked work completed

    Five residents submitting comments re: proposed Zoning Ordinance Climate & Equity Innovation Sub-Area Overlay District.

  3. 3.
    24-0059 Public Communication Recommended to be not approved

    Gregg Donovan requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 321 Washington Street from Fabrication (FAB) to Commercial Industry (CI).

    {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs24 Councilor Ewen-Campen recused himself from this item. Dir. Bartman announced that due to negative feedback received from the public, the Planning Board has formally given no recommendation. He added that the Administration does not support removal of the FAB district in general and does not recommend any change related to this item. Councilor Davis moved that the committee recommend the item be not approved.\par \cf1\f1\par }

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
  4. 4.
    24-0037 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

    Requesting ordainment of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinances to amend Article 9: Use Provisions, and the Permitted Uses tables of all zoning districts, to establish a Recreational Camp for Children use within the Recreational Services use category.

    {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs24 Councilor Ewen-Campen cited noise concerns among others from residents and asked how the Recreational Camp use would relate to school zoning. He then asked about other options for locating camps, which led to a discussion on the impact of camps on neighborhoods. Dir. Bartman reiterated that there would still be means for addressing operations if there are any issues.\par \cf1\f1\par }

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
  5. 5.
    23-1306 Public Communication Recommended to be withdrawn

    Mai Lau, 635 Somerville Avenue LLC, requesting the adoption of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Map to change the zoning district of 627 Somerville Avenue from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to Mid-Rise 3 (MR3).