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Land Use Committee

Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Online only

This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.

▶ Watch video Agenda PDF Minutes PDF View on Legistar

What happened

9 items of legislation were taken up.

  • 4 kept in committee
  • 3 recommended to be approved
  • 1 accepted
  • 1 recommended to be marked work completed

Agenda 9 items

Notices from the agenda

Referenced Documents: • Land Use - 2025-11-20 Gilman Square TOD Upzoning Updates (with 25-0085)

This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair McLaughlin at 6:31 pm and adjourned at 7:06 on a roll call vote of 4 in favor (Councilors Davis, Sait, Ewen-Campen, McLaughlin), 0 opposed, and 1 absent (Councilor Wilson). Others present: Samantha Carr - Land Use Analyst, Dan Bartman - Director of Planning, Preservation, and Zoning, Yasmine Radassi - Legislative Liaison, Madalyn Letellier - Legislative Services Manager.

(Posted online: 11/17/25 at 2:30 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_2p0xEkDkSvmVjKyUcaywyg 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. 1.
    25-1710 Committee Minutes Accepted

    Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of November 6, 2025.

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Naima SaitAye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
  2. 2.
    25-1554 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

    Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 10.10.3, 15.1.2, 15.1.6, 15.1.8, 15.2.1, 15.2.2, 15.2.3, 15.2.4, 15.3.1, 15.3.2, and 15.5.2 of the Zoning Ordinance to make pre-submittal meetings optional for most permits and to improve clarity and consistency.

  3. 3.
    25-1552 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

    Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Tables 4.1.13, 4.2.13, 4.3.13, 4.4.13, 5.1.14, 7.2.7, 7.4.8, 8.4.16 (c), and 9.1.1 of the Zoning Ordinance to permit Home-Based Child Day Care accessory uses and make corrections.

  4. 4.
    25-1539 Public Communication Kept in committee

    12 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 363 Highland Avenue from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid-Rise 5 (MR5) and from MR4 to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6), and 110 Willow Avenue MR4 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 Councilor Davis recused himself from this item as he is an abutter to the property.\par \par Councilor Ewen-Campen asked if city staff had any feedback or additional context on the proposal. Director Bartman shared the city supports the map change and has met with the applicant about future design goals on the parcel. \par Councilor Ewen-Campen continued to inquire if the larger overhaul of Davis Square roles in this map change, Director Bartman stated those conversations have been with the neighborhood council and the developers and city staff has not discussed directly with the members, but neighborhood support has been expressed for this proposal.\par \pard\f1\par }

  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 Carr presented on a slideshow following feedback from the last meeting where preliminary map changes were outlined, \i Land Use - 2025-11-20 Gilman Square TOD Upzoning Updates (with 25-0085). \i0 Chair McLaughlin spoke to moving forward, any proposal that the Gilman Square Neighborhood Council supports means it is likely to gain larger community support. Councilor Davis and Councilor Ewen-Campen both shared desires for upzoning to be approached holistically throughout the city and look forward to continuing increased density around transit areas.\par \pard\f1\par }

  6. 6.
    25-1594 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

    Requesting approval of the amended 90 Washington Street Demonstration Project Plan.

    {\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-328\slmult0\tx720\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 This item was taken up with items # 25-1595, 25-1596, and 25-1607.\par Chair McLaughlin stated these items were discussed at length in the public hearing and previous Council meetings. No councilors have substantive questions or concerns.\par \pard\f1\par }

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Naima SaitAye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
  7. 7.
    25-1595 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

    Requesting approval of an amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement between the City Council and Redevelopment Authority regarding the redevelopment of 90 Washington Street.

    {\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 This item was discussed with ID #25-1594.\par \pard\f1\par }

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Naima SaitAye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
  8. 8.
    25-1596 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

    Requesting approval of the development objectives for the redevelopment of 90 Washington Street.

    {\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 This item was discussed with ID #25-1594.\par \pard\f1\par }

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Naima SaitAye
    • Lance L. DavisAye
  9. 9.
    25-1607 Officer's Communication Recommended to be marked work completed

    Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development conveying a summary of the 90 Washington process review and development objectives.

    {\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 This item was discussed with ID #25-1594.\par \pard\f1\par }

    Roll call: 5 aye
    • Matthew McLaughlinAye
    • Ben Ewen-CampenAye
    • Jake WilsonAye
    • Naima SaitAye
    • Lance L. DavisAye