Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Online only
This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.
What happened
2 items of legislation were taken up.
- 1 accepted
- 1 kept in committee
Agenda 2 items
Notices from the agenda
Referenced Documents: • Land Use - 2025-10-02 Assessor's Letter (with 25-0085) • Land Use - 2025-10-02 Gilman Square TOD Upzoning Updates (with 25-0085)
This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair McLaughlin at 6:30 pm and adjourned at 6:48 pm on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Davis, Wilson, EWen-Campen, McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 1 absent Councilor Sait). Councilor Sait joined the meeting at 6:32 pm. Others present: Dan Bartman - Director of Planning, Preservation, and Zoning, Samantha Carr - Land Use Analyst, Madalyn Letellier - Legislative Services Manager.
(Posted online: 9/30/25 at 2:00 PM)
Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, 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_-nI1-jJzR7mpQx6Qd1ItgA 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
-
1.
Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of September 18, 2025.
Roll call: 4 aye · 1 absent
- Matthew McLaughlinAye
- Ben Ewen-CampenAye
- Jake WilsonAye
- Naima SaitAbsent
- Lance L. DavisAye
-
2.
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\cf1\kerning2\f0\fs24 Land Use Analyst Carr was present and discussed the attachment, \ul\i\f1 Land Use - 2025-10-02 Gilman Square TOD Upzoning Updates (with 25-0085) \i0\f0 ,\ulnone which reviewed the continued Gilman Square Analysis and next steps. Following the presentation, Councilor Wilson discussed catch \cf0 man areas and enrollment numbers for schools in the area. Specifically highlighting the need to keep families and any impact this suggested zoning may have.\par Chair McLaughlin asked about lot consolidation and if the concept of adjacent bonuses have been explored. Both Analyst Carr and Director Bartman stated they would have to explore what other communities have done with bonuses and bring finding back to the committee. Director Bartman elaborated on the continued work regarding lot consolidation. There are considerations around lot size, what the zoning is surrounding the land parcel, if changing the zoning will ultimately promote or deter development. The Director stated the Planning staff, in conjunction with Analyst Carr, continue to identify areas for potential development in Gilman and Ball Square. This conversation will continue as this item remains in committee.\par \cf1\kerning0\f1\par }