Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Agenda 5 items

1. 1.
   25-1402 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of September 4, 2025.

   Roll call: 4 aye · 1 absent

   • Matthew McLaughlinAye
   • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
   • Jake WilsonAbsent
   • Naima SaitAye
   • Lance L. DavisAye

   • 📎 Minutes - Land Use - 9-4-25 Full
2. 2.
   25-0338 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Planning, Preservation and Zoning provide the Committee on Land Use with an opinion as to whether the City Council may dictate standards and materials used for outdoor bike facilities.

   {\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 Liaison Raddassi was present on behalf of the Inspectional Services Department. She stated there is no roadblock from allowing the council to decide on materials for outdoor bike facilities.\par \pard\f1\par }

3. 3.
   25-0246 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   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.

   {\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 Chair McLaughlin introduced the item and Gavin Robb from Machado Silvetti who was present speak on the submitted presentation, \i Land Use 2025-09-18 Mass Timber Presentation (with 25-0246)\i0 . Liaison Raddassi also expressed there is a memo attached from the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) in response to questions from Councilor Wilson from a previous meeting, \i Land Use 2025-09-18 Memo (with 25-0246)\i0 . Following the presentation Councilor Ewen-Campen and Councilor Davis expressed interest in seeing how the city will be able to incorporate this development with the current zoning and what flexibility this will bring. Councilor Davis asked for clarity from staff about how zoning for a specific building type works, and if there are other ways to think about building for height now that these options exist within the Building Code. Councilor Sait asked for further clarification on fire code related to the timber and how that relates to density. Mr. Robb replied in short, there are heavily regulated fire codes for this building type.\par Legislative Raddassi relayed ISD\rquote s position that they do not recommend doing construction based on zoning. Chair McLaughlin asked for clarification on whether the city should allow taller buildings based on this new material. Mr. Robb confirmed that it is the goal and highlighted the climate goals using this material.\par \pard\f1\par }

4. 4.
   25-0200 Public Communication Recommended to be placed on file

   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.

   {\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\cf1\f0\fs24 This item required action within 165 days, since that timeline has lapsed the item is placed on file.\f1\par }

   • 📎 15 Voters - Zoning Text
5. 5.
   25-0085 Order Kept in committee

   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.

   {\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 Land Use Analyst presented on the presentation \i Land Use - 2025-09-18 Gilman Square TOD Upzoning Updates (with 25-0085),\i0 that highlighted the next steps for a Gilman Square Analysis. \par \pard\f1\par }