05.15.25 LUC Zoning Amend Laboratory Uses and Building Types — File 24-1460

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 2. GLOSSARY & OVERVIEW 2.1 GLOSSARY Contents: 2.1.1 General 2.1.1 General a. The following words, phrases, and terms identified by capitalized lowercase typeface in this Ordinance are defined in this Section. […] Bike-Share Parking A specific use type of the Vehicle Parking principal use category. See §9.2.6.m.i Bike-Share Parking. Biomedical Technology A specific use type of the Scientific Research & Development principal use category. See §9.2.10.b.iii.a) Biomedical Technology. Blank Wall A portion of any facade of a building that does not include a substantial material change; windows, doors, columns, pilasters or other articulation. […] Main Massing The primary massing of a Building Type, excluding building components. Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory An Office principal use category. See §9.2.10.c Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory. Mezzanine An intermediate floor level between the floor and ceiling of a story. […] Rail Right-of-Way The way for any rail service, including, but not limited to, the rail tracks, guideways, overhead power lines, and shoulder. Rail right-of-way is abbreviated as R-ROW. Research & Development or Laboratory An Office principal use category. See §9.2.10.b Research & Development or Laboratory. Recreation Services A Commercial Services principal use category. See §9.2.6.l Recreational Services. […] Sand-Based Structural Soil System Open graded crushed stone over sand-based structural soil.

Somerville Zoning Ordinance Scientific Research & Development An Office principal use category. See §9.2.10.d Scientific Research & Development. Self-Storage A specific use type of the Moving or Storage Services principal use category. See §9.2.8.d.i Self Storage. […] Terminated Vista A location at the axial conclusion of a thoroughfare. Testing Laboratory An Office principal use category. See §9.2.10.d Testing Laboratory. Thoroughfare A public or private way for use by vehicular and pedestrian traffic and providing access to lots and civic spaces. […]

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 4. MID-RISE DISTRICTS 4.1 MID-RISE 3 (MR3) Table 4.1.13 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use 1 2 Office General Office P N Scientific Research and Development or Laboratory P N Biomedical Technology N N Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory P N Testing Laboratory P N

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 4. MID-RISE DISTRICTS 4.2 MID-RISE 4 (MR4) Table 4.2.13 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use 1 2 Office General Office P N Scientific Research and Development or Laboratory P N Biomedical Technology N N Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory P N Testing Laboratory P N

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 4. MID-RISE DISTRICTS 4.3 MID-RISE 5 (MR5) Table 4.3.13 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use 1 2 Office General Office P N Scientific Research and Development or Laboratory P N Biomedical Technology N N Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory P N Testing Laboratory P N

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 4. MID-RISE DISTRICTS 4.4 MID-RISE 6 (MR6) 4.4.6 Building Types a. One (1) principal building is permitted on each lot. b. The following principal building types are permitted by Site Plan Approval in the Mid-Rise 6 district: a. Apartment Building b. General Building c. Commercial Building d. Lab Building c. Apartment Buildings are prohibited on any lot fronting a pedestrian street. d. Accessory structures are regulated according to Article 10: Development Standards of this Ordinance.

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 4.4.9 Commercial Building c. Massing & Height d. Uses & Features Main Massing Facade Composition Building Width (max) 200 ft Ground Story Fenestration – Facade Build Out (min) – Primary Facade (min) 70% Primary Front 80% Secondary Facade (min/max) 15% 70% Secondary Front 65% Upper Story Fenestration (min/max) 15% 70% Floor Plate (max) 30,000 sf Blank Wall (max) 20 ft Ground Story Height (min) 18 ft Upper Story Height (min) 10 ft Use & Occupancy Number of Stories (min/max) 3 6 Ground Story Entrance Spacing (max) 30 ft Step-Back, 5th – 6th Story (min) 10 ft Commercial Space Depth (min) 30 ft Building Height, Feet (max) 8595 ft Roof Type Flat Roof-mouthed Mechanicals Mechanical Equipment, Screening, Penthouse Height (max) 15 ft

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 4.4.10 Lab Building A large floor plate, multi-story principal building type purpose built for occupation by laboratory and research & development principal uses. Floor space is typically custom designed as complex, technically sophisticated, and mechanically intensive wet or dry labs or vivariums for animal research. The following images are examples of the lab building type and are intended only for illustrative purposes.

Somerville Zoning Ordinance a. Lot Standards b. Building Placement Lot Dimensions Building Setbacks Lot Width (min) 30 ft Curb Setback (min) 12 ft Primary Front Setback (min/max) 2 ft 15 ft Lot Development Secondary Front Setback (min/max) 2 ft 15 ft Lot Coverage (max) 100% Side Setback (min) -- Green Score – Abutting an Alley or R-ROW 0 ft Minimum 0.20 Abutting any non-NR or -LHD 0 ft Ideal 0.25 1st – 3rd Story Abutting NR or LHD 10 ft Open Space (min) 15% 4th – 6th Story Abutting NR or LHD 30 ft Rear Setback (min) – Abutting an Alley or R-ROW 0 ft Abutting any non-NR or -LHD 10 ft 1st – 3rd Story Abutting NR or LHD 20 ft 4th – 6th Story Abutting NR or LHD 30 ft Parking Setbacks Primary Front Setback (min) 30 ft Secondary Front Setback (min) 30 ft

Somerville Zoning Ordinance c. Massing & Height d. Uses & Features Main Massing Facade Composition Building Width (max) 200 ft Ground Story Fenestration – Facade Build Out (min) – Primary Facade (min) 70% Primary Front 80% Secondary Facade (min/max) 15% 70% Secondary Front 65% Upper Story Fenestration (min/max) 15% 70% Floor Plate (max) 30,000 sf Blank Wall (max) 20 ft Ground Story Height (min) 18 ft Upper Story Height (min) 10 ft Use & Occupancy Number of Stories (min/max) 3 6 Ground Entrance Spacing (max) 30 ft Step-Back, 5th – 6th Story (min) 10 ft Commercial Space Depth (min) 30 ft Building Height, Feet (max) 95 ft Roof Type Flat Roof-mouthed Mechanicals Mechanical Equipment, Screening, Penthouse Height (max) 15 ft e. Development Benefits a. Development is subject to the provisions of Article 12: Development Benefits of this Ordinance. Where the provisions of this section conflict with those of Article 12, the provisions of Article 12 apply. b. Development of a lab building must provide linkage payments in accordance with Section 12.2 Linkage. (Ord. 2023-14, 06/22/2023)

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 4.4 MID-RISE 6 (MR6) Table 4.4.11 Building Components Apartment Building General Building Commercial Building Lab Building Awning N P P P Entry Canopy P P P P Lobby Entrance P P P P Storefront N P P P Stoop P N N N Bay Window P P P P Balcony P P N N Arcade N N N N P - Permitted • N - Not Permitted Table 4.4.14 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use 1 2 Office General Office P N Scientific Research and Development or Laboratory P N Biomedical Technology N N Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory P N Testing Laboratory P N

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 5. HIGH-RISE DISTRICTS 5.1 HIGH-RISE (HR) 5.1.6 Building Types e. One (1) principal building is permitted on each lot. f. The following principal building types are permitted by Site Plan Approval in the High-Rise district: a. General Building b. Commercial Building c. Lab Building d.c. Mid-Rise Podium Tower e.d. Block Building g. Apartment Buildings are prohibited on any lot fronting a pedestrian street. h. Accessory structures are regulated according to Article 10.0 Development Standards of this Ordinance.

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 5.1.8 Commercial Building c. Massing & Height d. Uses & Features Main Massing Facade Composition Building Width (max) 200240 ft Ground Story Fenestration – Facade Build Out (min) – Primary Facade (min) 70% Primary Front 80% Secondary Facade (min/max) 15% 70% Secondary Front 65% Upper Story Fenestration (min/max) 15% 70% Floor Plate (max) 30,000 35,000 sf Blank Wall (max) 20 ft Ground Story Height (min) 18 ft Upper Story Height (min) 10 ft Use & Occupancy Building Height, Stories (min/max) 3 10 Entrance Spacing (max) 30 ft Building Height, Feet (max) 150 155 ft Commercial Space Depth (min) 30 ft Roof Type Flat

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 5.1.9 Lab Building A large floor plate, multi-story principal building type purpose built for occupation by laboratory and research & development principal uses. Floor space is typically custom designed as complex, technically sophisticated, and mechanically intensive wet or dry labs or vivariums for animal research. The following images are examples of the lab building type and are intended only for illustrative purposes.

Somerville Zoning Ordinance Lot Standards Building Placement Lot Dimensions Building Setbacks Lot Width (min) 30 ft Curb Setback (min) 18 ft Primary Front Setback (min/max) 2 ft 15 ft Lot Development Secondary Front Setback (min/max) 2 ft 15 ft Lot Coverage (max) 100% Side Setback (min) – Green Score – Abutting an Alley or R-ROW 0 ft Minimum 0.20 Abutting any non-NR or -LHD 0 ft Ideal 0.25 1st – 3rd Story Abutting NR or LHD 10 ft Open Space (min) 15% 4th – 9th Story Abutting NR or LHD 30 ft Rear Setback (min) – Abutting an Alley or R-ROW 0 ft Abutting any non-NR or -LHD 10 ft 1st – 3rd Story Abutting NR or LHD 20 ft 4th – 9th Story Abutting NR or LHD 30 ft Parking Setbacks Primary Front Setback (min) 30 ft Secondary Front Setback (min) 30 ft

Somerville Zoning Ordinance Massing & Height Uses & Features Main Massing Facade Composition Building Width (max) 240 ft Ground Story Fenestration – Facade Build Out (min) – Primary Facade (min) 70% Primary Front 80% Secondary Facade (min/max) 15% 70% Secondary Front 65% Upper Story Fenestration (min/max) 15% 70% Floor Plate (max) 35,000 sf Blank Wall (max) 20 ft Ground Story Height (min) 18 ft Upper Story Height (min) 10 ft Use & Occupancy Building Height, Stories (min/max) 4 9 Entrance Spacing (max) 30 ft Building Height, Feet (max) 155 ft Commercial Space Depth (min) 30 ft Roof Type Flat Development Benefits o Development is subject to the provisions of Article 12: Development Benefits of this Ordinance. Where the provisions of this section conflict with those of Article 12, the provisions of Article 12 apply. o Development of a lab building must provide linkage payments in accordance with Section 12.2 Linkage. (Ord. 2023-14, 06/22/2023)

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 5.1 HIGH-RISE (HR) Table 5.1.12 Building Components General Building Commercial Building Lab Building Mid-Rise Podium Tower Block Building Awning P P P P P Entry Canopy P P P P P Lobby Entrance P P P P P Storefront P P P P P Stoop P N N P N Bay Window P P P P P Balcony P N N P P Arcade P P P P P P - Permitted • SP - Special Permit Required • N - Not Permitted Table 5.1.15 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use 1 2 Office General Office P N Scientific Research and Development or Laboratory P N Biomedical Technology P N Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory P N Testing Laboratory P N

Somerville Zoning Ordinance Date Printed: 7/12/2023 6. COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS - PG. 1 6. COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS 6.1 FABRICATION (FAB) 6.1.8 Building Components Table 6.1.8 Building Components General Building Commercial Building Lab Building Mid-Rise Podium Tower Block Building Awning P P P P P Entry Canopy P P P P P Lobby Entrance P P P P P Storefront P P P P P Bay Window P P P P P Arcade P P P P P P - Permitted • SP - Special Permit Required • N - Not Permitted

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 6. COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS 6.2 COMMERCIAL CORE (CC) 6.2.6 Building Types i. One (1) principal building is permitted on each lot. j. The following principal building types are permitted by Site Plan Approval in the Commercial Core district: a. Commercial Building b. Lab Building c.b. Commercial Block Building k. Accessory structures are regulated according to Article 10: Development Standards of this Ordinance.

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 6.2.7 Commercial Building c. Massing & Height d. Uses & Features Main Mass Facade Composition Building Width (max) 200240 ft Ground Story Fenestration – Facade Build Out (min) – Primary Facade (min) 70% Primary Front 80% Secondary Facade (min/max) 15% 70% Secondary Front 65% Upper Story Fenestration (min/max) 15% 70% Floor Plate (max) 30,000 35,000 sf Blank Wall (max) 20 ft Ground Story Height (min) 18 ft Upper Story Height (min) 10 ft Use & Occupancy Number of Stories (min) 3 stories Entrance Spacing (max) 30 ft Number of Stories (max) Varies by Map Designation Commercial Space Depth (min) 30 ft Building Height, Feet (max) – 3 Story 50 ft Rooftop Mechanicals 4 Story 5565 ft Mechanical Equipment, Screening, Penthouse Height (max) – 5 Story 7080 ft Abutting NR, UR, or LHD 15 ft 7 Story 100110 ft Abutting any other district 20 ft 10 Story 150155 ft Roof Type Flat

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 6.2.8 Lab Building A large floor plate, multi-story principal building type purpose built for occupation by laboratory and research & development principal uses. Floor space is typically custom designed as complex, technically sophisticated, and mechanically intensive wet or dry labs or vivariums for animal research. The following images are examples of the lab building type and are intended only for illustrative purposes.

Somerville Zoning Ordinance a. Lot Standards b. Building Placement Lot Dimensions Building Setbacks Lot Width (min) 30 ft Curb Setback (min) 12 ft Primary Front Setback (min/max) 2 ft 15 ft Lot Development Secondary Front Setback (min/max) 2 ft 15 ft Lot Coverage (max) 100% Side Setback (min) – Green Score – Abutting an Alley or R-ROW 0 ft Minimum 0.20 Abutting any non-NR or -LHD 0 ft Ideal 0.25 1st – 3rd Story Abutting NR or LHD 10 ft Open Space (min) 25% 4th – 10th Story Abutting NR or LHD 30 ft Rear Setback (min) – Abutting an Alley or R-ROW 0 ft Abutting any non-NR or -LHD 10 ft 1st – 3rd Story Abutting NR or LHD 20 ft 4+ Story Abutting NR or LHD 30 ft Parking Setbacks Primary Front Setback (min) 30 ft Secondary Front Setback (min) 30 ft

Somerville Zoning Ordinance Massing & Height f. Uses & Features Main Mass Facade Composition Building Width (max) 240 ft Ground Story Fenestration – Facade Build Out (min) – Primary Facade (min) 70% Primary Front 80% Secondary Facade (min/max) 15% 70% Secondary Front 65% Upper Story Fenestration (min/max) 15% 70% Floor Plate (max) 35,000 sf Blank Wall (max) 20 ft Ground Story Height (min) 18 ft Upper Story Height (min) 10 ft Use & Occupancy Number of Stories (min) 3 stories Entrance Spacing (max) 30 ft Number of Stories (max) Varies by Map Designation Commercial Space Depth (min) 30 ft Building Height, Feet (max) – 3 Story 50 ft Rooftop Mechanicals 4 Story 65 ft Mechanical Equipment, Screening, Penthouse Height (max) – 5 Story 80 ft Abutting NR, UR, or LHD 15 ft 7 Story 110 ft Abutting any other district 20 ft 10 Story 155 ft Roof Type Flat g. Development Benefits

Somerville Zoning Ordinance a. Development is subject to the provisions of Article 12: Development Benefits of this Ordinance. Where the provisions of this section conflict with those of Article 12, the provisions of Article 12 apply. b. Development of a Lab Building must provide linkage payments in accordance with Section 12.2 Linkage. (Ord. 2023-14, 06/22/2023)

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 6.2 COMMERCIAL CORE (CC) Table 6.2.101.8 Building Components General Building Commercial Building Lab Building Mid-Rise Podium Tower Block Building Awning P P P P P Entry Canopy P P P P P Lobby Entrance P P P P P Storefront P P P P P Bay Window P P P P P Arcade P P P P P P - Permitted • SP - Special Permit Required • N - Not Permitted Table 6.2.13 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use 1 2 Office General Office P N Scientific Research and Development or Laboratory P N Biomedical Technology P N Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory P N Testing Laboratory P N

Somerville Zoning Ordinance Date Printed: 7/12/2023 6. COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS - PG. 1 6. COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS 6.3 COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY (CI) 6.3.8 Building Components Table 6.3.8 Building Components General Building Commercial Building Lab Building Mid-Rise Podium Tower Block Building Awning P P P P P Entry Canopy P P P P P Lobby Entrance P P P P P Storefront P P P P P P - Permitted • SP - Special Permit Required • N - Not Permitted

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 6. COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS 6.3 COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY (CI) Table 6.3.11 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use CI Office General Office P Scientific Research and Development or Laboratory P Biomedical Technology P Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory P Testing Laboratory P

Somerville Zoning Ordinance Date Printed: 7/12/2023 6. COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS - PG. 1 6. COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS 6.4 COMMERCIAL BUSINESS (CB) 6.4.11 Building Components Table 6.4.111.8 Building Components General Building Commercial Building Lab Building Mid-Rise Podium Tower Block Building Awning P P P P P Entry Canopy P P P P P Lobby Entrance P P P P P Storefront P P P P P Arcade P P P P P P - Permitted • SP - Special Permit Required • N - Not Permitted

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 6. COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS 6.4 COMMERCIAL BUSINESS (CB) Table 6.4.14 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use CB Office General Office P Scientific Research and Development or Laboratory P Biomedical Technology P Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory P Testing Laboratory P

Somerville Zoning Ordinance Date Printed: 7/12/2023 1 7. SPECIAL DISTRICTS 7.2 POWDERHOUSE SCHOOL (PS) 7.2.7 Use Provisions Table 7.2.7 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use PSR Office General Office P Scientific Research and Development and Laboratory P Biomedical Technology N Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory P Testing Laboratory P

Somerville Zoning Ordinance Date Printed: 7/12/2023 1 7. SPECIAL DISTRICTS 7.4 ASSEMBLY SQUARE MIXED-USE (ASMD) 7.4.8 Use Provisions Table 7.4.8 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use ASQ Office General Office P Scientific Research and Development and Laboratory P Biomedical Technology P Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory P Testing Laboratory P

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 8.4 MASTER PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (MPD) 8.4.8 Development Standards Sustainable Development o Lab Commercial Buildings must be LEED Platinum certifiable. o All other building types must meet the following:  No on-site combustion for HVAC system operation;  No on-site combustion for cooking equipment, excluding Eating & Drinking Establishment principal uses; and  Be certifiable as: • Zero Carbon or higher from the International Living Future Institute; or • PHIUS+ from the Passive House Institute US or Passive House Institute. o All new principal building types must include a green roof, photovoltaic (PV) devices, or both for 100% of the roof area not occupied by building systems equipment or required outdoor amenity spaces. 8. OVERLAY DISTRICTS

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 8.4.12 Boynton Yards (BY) Sub-Area Table 8.4.12 (a) Superseding Dimensional Standards MR5 HR Lot Standards Open Space (min) none none Massing & Height Building Height, Stories (min) – 6 stories Building Height, Stories (max) – – General Building – none Commercial Building – none Lab Building – none Mid-Rise Podium Tower – – Point Tower – none Block Building – – Tower(s) – none Building Height, Feet (max) – – General Building – none Commercial Building – none Lab Building – none Mid-Rise podium tower – – Point Tower – none Block Building – – Podium – – Tower(s) – none Uses & Features Density Factor (min) none none

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 8.4.17 Union Square (USQ) Sub-Area […] a. Development Standards a. For real property with a frontage on Everett Street, luminaries located in the frontage area must be provided with sensors, timers, or other means to automatically reduce the lumens emitted by at least thirty percent (30%) beginning one (1) hour after the close of business of the ground story tenant until 7:00am. Lighting required by the Massachusetts State Building Code is exempt. b. Sound emanating from rooftop mechanical equipment must be minimized to every extent practicable including, but not limited to, the location and sizing of equipment, the selection of equipment, and sound attenuation measures. c. At a minimum, rooftop mechanical equipment must not exceed ambient noise levels at ground level measured at the property line or cause a noise disturbance as defined by Article VII, Division 2, Section 9-114 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Somerville, Massachusetts. d. The review board shall require an acoustical report, prepared by a professional acoustical engineer and including field measurements, demonstrating compliance with all applicable noise standards to be submitted to the Building Official prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy as a condition of any Site Plan Approval for a Commercial Building or Laboratory Building.

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 8.4.18 Union Square East (USQE) Sub-Area Table 8.4.18 Superseding Dimensional Standards CC Lot Standards Open Space (min) none Massing & Height Building Height, Stories (min) 6 stories Number of Stories (max) – Commercial Building none Lab Building none Block Building – Tower(s) none Building Height (max) – Commercial Building none Lab Building none Block Building – Podium – Tower(s) none

Somerville Zoning Ordinance 9. USE PROVISIONS 9.1 PERMITTED USES Table 9.1.1 Table 9.1.1 Permitted Uses Use Category Specific Use NR UR MR3 MR4 MR5 MR6 HR FAB CC CI CB CIV Office Categories General Office N N P P P P P N P P P N Scientific Research and Development or Laboratory N N P P P P P N P P P N Biomedical Technology N N N N N N P N P P P N Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory N N P P P P P N P P P N Testing Laboratory N N P P P P P N P P P N 9.2.10 Office Use Categories a. Scientific Research & Development or Laboratory The analysis, testing, and development of products, or services predominantly for scientific research operations in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, communication & information technology, electronics, computer hardware, and their substantial equivalents. The following standard apply: i. Scientific Research & Development or Laboratory does not include activities involved in fabricating, assembling, warehousing, or sale of products for the retail or wholesale market. ii. Ancillary development of mock-up and prototype products is permitted so long as the total floor area devoted to their fabrication or assembly is limited to twenty-five percent (25%) to the gross floor area occupied by the use. iii. The following Scientific Research & Development specific use types are regulated differently than other uses classified within the category: a) Biomedical Technology Scientific research & development in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other technology, products, or services using cellular and biomolecular processes for medical or veterinary purposes. b. Medical or Diagnostic Laboratory Analytic or diagnostic services provided to health care service principal uses or directly to patients upon referral by a health care practitioner including, but not limited to, fluid analysis, diagnostic imaging, and their substantial equivalents c. Testing Laboratory Physical, chemical, or other analytic testing services in acoustics or vibration, assaying, biological, electrical and electronic, geotechnical, mechanical, or thermal testing and their substantial equivalents