Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Online only
This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.
What happened
10 items of legislation were taken up.
- 6 recommended to be marked work completed
- 1 accepted
- 1 recommended to be discharged with no recommendation
- 1 recommended to be approved
- 1 recommended to be not approved
Agenda 10 items
Notices from the agenda
The meeting took place virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:31 PM by Chair McLaughlin and adjourned at 7:22 PM on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Wilson, Pineda Neufeld, Ewen-Campen, Davis, McLaughlin), 0 opposed. Others present: Sarah White - Senior Planner, Madalyn Letellier - Legislative Services Manager
(Posted online: 8/26/24 at 7:30 PM)
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_t_wlSjqETYSoXbsf7GCj4w 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
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1.
Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of July 9, 2024.
Roll call: 5 aye
- Matthew McLaughlinAye
- Lance L. DavisAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
- Jake WilsonAye
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2.
14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 228, 230, 232, 234, 236 Pearl Street from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6).
{\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\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Senior Planner Sarah White spoke on this item stating that the Planning, Preservation and Zoning Division (PPZ) is not in support of this proposal and would prefer to see a whole scale upzoning of the block rather than upzoning a few properties at a time. Councilor Wilson addressed Sarah White and asked why this view is different than the rezoning related to the Young Men\rquote s Christian Association (YMCA). Sarah White responded each project is looked at individually and the YMCA proposal came back with revisions to look at the entirety of the parcel of land for upzoning. Councilor Ewen-Campen pointed out that to the west of the parcel of land already holds buildings that are six stories high. He shared his thoughts of disfavor to spot zoning in general, but looking at this item there has been a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) in place from the local Neighborhood Council and as it sits next to a transit location is in favor of adding height and density to the area but would still like to hear from the Ward Councilor. Councilor Wilson echoed the thoughts on embracing transit-oriented development like this proposal throughout the city. Councilor Davis also shared thoughts on hearing from the Ward Councilor and any concerns that may be present and similar thoughts on the value of transit-oriented zoning and the area would benefit from a density bonus. Attorney Adam Dash spoke on this item stating that the main opposition came from the condominium building next door and the CBA addressed those concerns and reiterated to the committee that the building will be next to another building of this size and there are additional steps to gain neighborhood input before being built. \par \par Chair McLaughlin asked Senior Planner White if proposals that tend to look at more land for rezoning at once are more favorable to the Planning Board. She responded that each proposal is reviewed individually and goes through a thorough evaluation and the Planning Board is in general looking at proposals that address a broader rezoning over spot zoning.\par \par Councilor Pineda Neufeld asked how colleagues feel about going through the rezoning process again for another overhaul that will further delay projects such as this one proposed. Councilor Davis responded that the initial overhaul was supposed to provide a framework to the old zoning, but the intent was to go back and address specific areas, such as transit areas and there is not a view to wait for a whole new plan as his own ward, specifically Davis Square, is still awaiting a new neighborhood plan. Councilor Ewen-Campen asked if city staff can give detail on the development of a new transit-oriented map. Sarah White responded there is no information at this time.\par \par \ul\b\i Chair McLaughlin moved that the City Solicitor provide an opinion on whether this item is considered spot zoning.\par \pard\ulnone\b0\i0\f1\par }
Roll call: 5 aye
- Matthew McLaughlinAye
- Lance L. DavisAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
- Jake WilsonAye
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3.
26 individuals submitting comments re: item #24-0642, a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 228, 230, 232, 234, 236 Pearl Street from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6).
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was discussed with ID #24-0642.\par }
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4.
Planning Board conveying recommendations for items #24-0551 and #24-0642.
Roll call: 5 aye
- Matthew McLaughlinAye
- Lance L. DavisAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
- Jake WilsonAye
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5.
14 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 136 School Street from Urban Residence (UR) to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6), 95 Highland Avenue from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to MR6, and 97, 99-99A, 101-103, and 107 Highland Avenue from Mid-Rise 5 (MR5) to MR6.
{\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\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Senior Planner Sarah White stated Planning is in support of the upzoning noting the favorability of taking up multiple lots at a time and this proposal looks at the area in a comprehensive fashion. Councilor Ewen-Campen spoke in support of the proposal and the eventual redevelopment of the YMCA. Councilor Ewen-Campen made note zoning changes are not linked to a specific project but rather to an area and thinks the zoning is appropriate, he closed his remarks by addressing the corner lot is not included in the YMCA\rquote s proposal but is included in the rezoning proposal.\par \pard\f1\par }
Roll call: 5 aye
- Matthew McLaughlinAye
- Lance L. DavisAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
- Jake WilsonAye
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6.
Emily Duquette submitting comments re: item #24-0641, a Zoning Map Amendment for the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was discussed with ID #24-0641.\par }
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7.
3 individuals submitting comments re: item #24-0641, a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 136 School Street from Urban Residence (UR) to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6), 95 Highland Avenue from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to MR6, and 97, 99-99A, 101-103, and 107 Highland Avenue from Mid-Rise 5 (MR5) to MR6.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was discussed with ID #24-0641.\par }
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8.
Planning Board conveying recommendations for items #24-0607 and #24-0641.
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9.
Mo Rizkallah requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 5 Homer Square from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to Urban Residence (UR).
{\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\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Councilor Ewen-Campen recommended against approval of the item due to the appearance of spot zoning for one parcel to become Urban Residence (UR) in the middle of a Neighborhood Residence (NR) street and no attempt at a community process. Chair McLaughlin included that the recommendation from the Planning Board is also to not approve, and shared similar sentiments to Councilor Ewen-Campen on why it should be recommended to be not approved. \par \pard\f1\par }
Roll call: 5 aye
- Matthew McLaughlinAye
- Lance L. DavisAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
- Jake WilsonAye
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10.
8 individuals submitting comments re: item #24-0607, a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 5 Homer Square from Neighborhood Residence (NR) to Urban Residence (UR).
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was discussed with ID #24-0607.\par }