Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Agenda 4 items

1. 1.
   26-0942 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of May 21, 2026.

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Lance L. DavisAye
   • Jesse ClinganAye
   • Naima SaitAye
   • Matthew McLaughlinAye
   • Ben Ewen-CampenAye

   • 📎 Minutes - Land Use - 5-21-26 Full
2. 2.
   26-1147 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Land Use Committee Meeting of June 18, 2026.

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Lance L. DavisAye
   • Jesse ClinganAye
   • Naima SaitAye
   • Matthew McLaughlinAye
   • Ben Ewen-CampenAye

   • 📎 Minutes - Land Use - 6-18-26 Full
3. 3.
   26-0746 Mayor's Request Recommended to be approved

   Requesting approval of the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Zone, Plan, and Form of Agreement for Assembly Square and East Somerville.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Economic Development Planner Katherine Wiese explained that creating this proposed district, covering parts of East Somerville and Assembly Square, allows projects to request Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCHTIF). Planner Wiese emphasized that this authorizes the district's creation, serving as an alternative to encourage development while preserving affordable housing without resorting to unsupported cuts to inclusionary housing requirements during a period of low housing starts. In response to a request for clarification from Councilor Clingan, Planner Wiese confirmed the action only opens the door for negotiations rather than mandating tool usage.\par \par Councilor Clingan noted the designation could effectively incentivize construction. Councilor McLaughlin highlighted the presence of abandoned businesses in East Somerville, expressing strong support for neighborhood revitalization efforts that maintain inclusionary housing requirements.\par }

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Lance L. DavisAye
   • Jesse ClinganAye
   • Naima SaitAye
   • Matthew McLaughlinAye
   • Ben Ewen-CampenAye

   • 📎 Assembly & East Somerville UCH-TIF Zone, Plan, Appendices
   • 📎 Assembly & East Somerville UCH TIF Cover Letter Memo
4. 4.
   26-0835 Zoning Ordinance Recommended to be approved as amended

   Proposing an amendment to Section 2.1.1 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Homeless Shelters.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\cf1\f0\fs24 Councilor Davis introduced this item and noted that the Council previously discussed opening a homeless shelter in Ward 6 and explained that the intent of this item is to resolve confusion around the zoning ordinances and establish a clearer process to allow for more shelter options citywide. Chair Ewen-Campen noted that the Planning Board issued a positive recommendation on the item and Land Use Analyst Samantha Carr reviewed the document \i Land Use - 2026-09-03 Homeless Shelter Provisions Research (with 26-0835).\par \i0\par Councilor Davis explained that while his initial draft included the Neighborhood Residence district to invite discussion, Analyst Carr's research highlighted the need for a more nuanced approach. He suggested requiring a special permit in Neighborhood Residence zones for homeless shelters and by right with a required neighborhood meeting in Urban Residence and commercial zones to lift development barriers. He added that the City Council could later pursue a separate amendment to create specific definitions that would allow smaller-scale uses, such as family stabilization and homeless youth shelters, in neighborhood residential areas.\par \par Chair Ewen-Campen mentioned the Ward 3 warming center, located in a Neighborhood Residence zone, noting it has brought both positives and challenges that underscore the importance of a transparent public process and careful deliberation during special permit reviews. In response to Councilor Clingan\rquote s question about if the proposal applies to drop-in style shelters, Councilor Davis clarified that essentially it does, noting that while certain shelter uses are already allowed, this proposal would permit defined homeless shelters either by right or via special permit depending on the zone. Councilor Sait expressed support for homeless shelters in these areas and asked how special permit conditions and nuances would be handled. Planning Division Deputy Director Fiona DiMartino confirmed that special permits for shelters would follow standard review procedures, allowing specific restrictions to be placed on a permit on a case-by-case basis. Councilor Clingan noted that the special permit process provides helpful flexibility depending on the specific use of the shelter.\par \par \ul\b Councilor Davis moved to amend Table 3.1.16 (Permitted Uses) by changing the designation for "Homeless Shelter" in the residential line from "P" (Permitted By Right) to "SP" (Special Permit) and and Table 9.1.1 (Permitted Uses) by changing the designation for "Homeless Shelter" in the Neighborhood Residence (NR) column from "P" (Permitted By Right) to "SP" (Special Permit). The motion was approved on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (Councilors Davis, Clingan, Sait, McLaughlin and Ewen-Campen), 0 opposed, and 0 absent. \ulnone\b0\par }

   Roll call: 5 aye

   • Lance L. DavisAye
   • Jesse ClinganAye
   • Naima SaitAye
   • Matthew McLaughlinAye
   • Ben Ewen-CampenAye

   • 📎 05.14.26 CC Amend Zoning Homeless Shelter Permitted Use
   • 📎 09.10.26 CC Amend Zoning Homeless Shelter Permitted Use