Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Agenda 5 items

1. 1. Public Hearings
2. 1.1.
   26-1258 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

   Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 3.2.17, 4.1.15, 4.2.15, 4.3.15, 4.4.15, 5.1.16, 6.1.13, 6.2.14, 6.3.13, 6.4.16, 6.5.13 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to correct parking maximums.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red70\green120\blue134;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Senior Transportation Planner Justin Schreiber shared edits to a previous proposal submitted in 2024 in\b ,\i \b0 Land Use - 2026-10-01 Parking Corrections Presentation (with 26-1258). \i0 Edits include various scrivener edits and simplify the parking tables. Vice Chair of the Planning Board Aboff read a comment from Planning Board Member Capuano regarding the loss of street spots and the request to restrict street stickers.\b\par \b0\par Councilor Ewen-Campen opened the public hearing at 8:01 PM.\par \par One resident spoke to an increase in Urban Residential areas and expressed a desire to change it back to no parking as the district is already dense.\par \par \pard Councilor Ewen-Campen closed the public hearing at 8:03 PM. Public comments will be accepted until Friday October 30\super th\nosupersub , 2026, at 12:00 PM and can be submitted to \cf2\ul publiccomments@somervillema.gov\cf1\ulnone .\par \f1\par }

   • 📎 Parking Maximums Corrections 08.25.2026
3. 1.2.
   26-1259 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

   Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.4.4, 3.1.7, 3.1.8, 3.1.9, 3.1.10, 3.1.11, 3.2.7, 3.2.8, 3.2.9, 3.2.10, 3.2.11, 4.1.7, 4.2.7, 4.3.7, 4.4.7 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinances to remove ground story elevation requirements.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red70\green120\blue134;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Senior Planner Kortney Cena presented on the proposed amendments to remove ground story elevation requirements for all building types and in all districts, \i Land Use - 2026-10-01 Ground Story Elevation Presentation (with 26-1259).\i0\par \par Councilor Ewen-Campen opened the public hearing at 8:11 PM. \par \par Two residents spoke in favor of this change and encouraged the committee to also consider items from a proposal previously submitted by Councilor Link.\par \par \pard Councilor Ewen-Campen closed the public hearing at 8:14 PM. Public comments will be accepted until Friday October 30\super th\nosupersub , 2026, at 12:00 PM and can be submitted to \cf2\ul publiccomments@somervillema.gov\cf1\ulnone . \par \f1\par }

   • 📎 Ground Story Elevation 08.20.2026
4. 1.4.
   26-1336 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

   Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 3.1.3, 3.1.6, 3.1.8, 3.1.9, 3.1.11, 3.1.12, 3.1.13, 3.1.16, 3.2.6 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to align with State Law regarding protected accessory dwelling units.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red70\green120\blue134;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Senior Planner Kortney Cena presented on the proposed amendments regarding protected accessory dwelling units in presentation, \i Land Use - 2026-10-01 PU ADU Compliance Presentation (with 26-1336). \i0 Chair Ewen-Campen clarified that State law requires the accessory dwelling units (ADU) to be the same height as the principle building on the lot, Senior Planner clarified under state law that the city cannot have a more restrictive height limit, but the square footage is malleable. \par \i\par \i0 Councilor Ewen-Campen opened the public hearing at 7:17 PM.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li450\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640 16 individuals spoke during the public hearing. Residents provided comments about state regulations and the square footage of ADU\rquote s becoming excessive and concern over the ability to adjust the state set statues. Concerns were expressed about these amendments aiding developers, removing affordable units, and further displacement as well as losing green space in the city. Many residents spoke to the desire of hiring the green score. Two residents suggested workshops for members of the public to understand what this means for neighbors and how to operate within the new guidelines. One resident asked that a requirement be added that an owner be required to show proof of proper permit processes followed and tenants notified appropriately. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\par \pard Councilor Ewen-Campen closed the public hearing at 7:55 PM. Public comments will be accepted until Friday October 30\super th\nosupersub , 2026, at 12:00 PM and can be submitted to \cf2\ul publiccomments@somervillema.gov.\cf1\ulnone \par \f1\par }

   • 📎 PADU Compliance Amendment 09.08.2026
5. 1.5.
   26-1337 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

   Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.4.5, 3.1.17, 3.2.16, 4.1.8, 4.1.9, 4.1.14, 4.2.8, 4.2.9, 4.2.14, 4.3.8, 4.3.9, 4.3.14, 4.4.8, 4.4.9, 4.4.15, 5.1.7, 5.1.8, 5.1.9, 5.1.16, 6.1.12, 6.2.7, 6.2.8, 6.2.14, 6.3.12, 6.4.9, 6.4.15, 6.5.7, 7.2.8 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to clarify requirements for principal entrances.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red70\green120\blue134;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Senior Planner Kortney Cena presented on the amendments to clarify requirements for principal entrances, \i Land Use - 2026-10-01 Principal Entrances Presentation (with 26-1337).\par \i0\par Councilor Ewen-Campen opened the public hearing at 8:24 PM.\par \par Three residents spoke during the public hearing. One resident spoke to concerns within the proposed amendments, and the back door entrance could create problems for neighbors. Another resident shared concern raised amongst neighbors that new construction does not comply with accessibility standards and variances have been applied to skirt those responsibilities. \par \par \pard Councilor Ewen-Campen closed the public hearing at 8:29 PM. Public comments will be accepted until Friday October 30\super th\nosupersub , 2026, at 12:00 PM and can be submitted to \cf2\ul publiccomments@somervillema.gov\cf1\ulnone .\par \f1\par }

   • 📎 Principal Entrances Amendment 09.02.2026
6. 1.6.
   26-1338 Mayor's Request Kept in committee

   Requesting ordainment of an amendment to Sections 2.1.1, 2.4.5, 3.1.16, 3.2.8, 3.2.9, 3.2.10, 3.2.11, 3.2.15, 4.1.3, 4.1.7, 4.1.8, 4.1.9, 4.1.10, 4.1.13, 4.2.3, 4.2.7, 4.2.8, 4.2.9, 4.2.10, 4.2.13, 4.3.3, 4.3.7, 4.3.8, 4.3.9, 4.3.10, 4.3.13, 4.4.3, 4.4.7, 4.4.8, 4.4.9, 4.4.13, 5.1.3, 5.1.7, 5.1.8, 5.1.9, 5.1.10, 5.1.11, 5.1.14, 6.1.3, 6.1.7, 6.1.8, 6.1.11, 6.2.3, 6.2.7, 6.2.8, 6.2.9, 6.2.12, 6.3.3, 6.3.8, 6.4.3, 6.4.9, 6.4.11, 6.5.3, 6.5.7, 6.5.8, 6.5.11, 7.2.7, 7.2.10, 7.4.3, 7.4.6, 7.4.7, 7.4.8, 7.4.11, 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.4, 8.1.5, 8.1.6, 8.2.2, 8.2.4, 8.2.5, 8.4.16, 8.4.17, 8.4.19, 9.1.7, 12.1.1, 12.1.2, 12.1.4, 12.1.5, 12.1.6, 12.1.7, 12.3.5, 12.3.6, 12.3.7 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to update terminology for affordable dwelling units and commercial spaces.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;\red70\green120\blue134;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Senior Planner Kortney Cena presented on the proposed amendments to update terminology for affordable dwelling units and commercial spaces\b , \b0\i Land Use - 2026-10-01 Terminology Updates Presentation (with 26-1338).\b\i0\par \b0\par Councilor Ewen-Campen opened the public hearing at 8:37 PM.\par \par \pard With no speakers Councilor Ewen-Campen closed the public hearing at 8:37 PM. Public comments will be accepted until Friday October 30\super th\nosupersub , 2026, at 12:00 PM and can be submitted to \cf2\ul publiccomments@somervillema.gov.\cf1\ulnone\par \f1\par }

   • 📎 Terminology Amendment 09.02.2026