Committee Report - Land Use - 3-12-19 — File 207667

Land Use Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 3/28/2019 March 12, 2019 REPORT OF THE LAND USE COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Lance L. Davis Chair Present William A. White Jr. Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven City Councilor Present Stephanie Hirsch City Councilor At Large Present Mary Jo Rossetti City Councilor at Large Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One City Councilor Present Ben Ewen-Campen Ward Three City Councilor Present Jefferson Thomas ("J.T.") Scott Ward Two City Councilor Present Jesse Clingan Ward Four City Councilor Present Mark Niedergang Ward Five City Councilor Present Wilfred N. Mbah City Councilor at Large Present Others present: Senior Planner Dan Bartman - OSPCD, Rositha Durham Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Council Chamber and was called to order at 6:15 PM by Chairman Davis and adjourned at 8:30 PM. This was a joint meeting of the Committee on Land Use and the Planning Board for the purpose of four public hearings. PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of a new Somerville zoning ordinance to supersede the current zoning ordinance as originally adopted on March 23, 1990. 206747: Requesting the adoption of a New Zoning Ordinance (9/2018 update) to supersede the current Zoning Ordinance as originally adopted on March 23, 1990. Mr. Bartman noted that the proposal that is the subject of this public hearing is the same document that was presented in September of 2018 and was the subject of a prior public hearing. The Planning staff intends to submit a revised version of the proposal, updated based on proposed changes from the Committee as well as comments from the public and Planning Staff recommendations, sometime in April, after which a public hearing for that new revision will be scheduled. Speakers were given two minutes for comments. This item was closed for written comment.

Land Use Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 3/28/2019 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING: A proposed amendment to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance, submitted by 18 registered voters, to add a new Section 17.8, regarding open space requirements for mid-rise and high-rise buildings 206481: 18 registered voters submitting a proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment to add a new Section 17.8 re: open space requirements for mid-rise and high-rise buildings. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 207460: 18 registered voters submitting a proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment to add a new Section 17.8 re: open space requirements for mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Mr. Bartman gave an update, along with a slide presentation regarding the status of Administration discussions with the drafters of the citizens petitions reflected in items 205054 and 206481/207460 to work toward a unified proposal for a zoning amendment to establish new open space requirements. Chair Davis noted that the slides and video of the presentation would be available at www.SomervilleZoning.com Speakers at the public hearing were each given two minutes to make their comments. Chair Davis agreed to keep the period written comment open until 12 noon, Friday, April 12th. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING: A proposed amendment to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance related to the protection of Significant Trees. 207461: Submitting an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance for the Protection of Significant Trees, by amending Article 2-Definitions and Article 10-Landscaping. Councilors Niedergang and Scott, as drafters of the proposed amendment, both spoke as to their intent in submitting this proposal. They highlighted the importance of trees to public health, their impact on the immediate community, and the need to the need to stop developers and others from indiscriminately cutting down trees. Speakers were given two minutes each for the public hearing. Chair Davis agreed to keep the period written comment open until 12 noon, Friday, April 12th. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Land Use Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 3/28/2019 PUBLIC HEARING: A proposed amendment to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance regarding Useable Open Space. 205054: 22 registered voters proposing an amendment to Zoning Ordinance 6.4 to establish new open space requirements for certain buildings in the Assembly Sq Mixed Use District. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 207332: Submitting proposed amendments the Zoning Ordinance to establish new open space requirements in the Assembly Sq Mixed Use District, Transit Oriented Districts, and Planned Unit Developments. Mr. Bartman gave an update, along with a slide presentation regarding the status of Administration discussions with the drafters of the citizens petitions reflected in items 205054 and 206481/207460 to work toward a unified proposal for a zoning amendment to establish new open space requirements. Chair Davis noted that the slides and video of the presentation would be available at www.SomervilleZoning.com Speakers at the public hearing were each given two minutes to make their comments. Councilor Niedergang stated that open space should be the priority for discussion. Chair Davis agreed to keep the period written comment open until 12 noon, Friday, April 12th. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE