Committee Report - Land Use - 3-5-15 — File 198591

Land Use Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 3/12/2015 March 5, 2015 REPORT OF THE LAND USE COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Dennis M. Sullivan Chair Present Mark Niedergang Vice Chair Present William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Present Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Robert J. McWatters Ward Three Alderman Absent Tony Lafuente Ward Four Alderman Absent Rebekah L. Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Mary Jo Rossetti Alderman at Large Present John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present Others present: George Proakis, members of the Planning Board, Michael Glavin, Nicholas Salerno 1. Approval of the December 1, 2014 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 2. Approval of the December 11, 2014 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 3. Public Hearing : 198275 - Proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment to require certain findings by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals before granting Special Permits Chris Korda spoke in favor of this item. Jane Bestor spoke saying that there is no deep reflection in the current zoning process. 4. Public Hearing : 198276 - Proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment to limit the gross floor area increase to 15% for 1 and 2 family dwelling conversions requiring a Special Permit Chris Korda spoke on the item and expressed concern about suburban values coming into the city.

Land Use Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 3/12/2015 5. Public Hearing : 198429 - Requesting the adoption of a New Zoning Ordinance to supersede the current Zoning Ordinance as originally adopted on March 23, 1990 Several members of the public spoke on this item and expressed concerns about the following: jobs, the city’s tax base, the need for additional office space, the need for a minimum amount of housing, affordable housing, green space, energy, retail space for the Arts, family protection against eviction, not building high end condos next to the T stop, modification of the cash payment provision, income limits, parking, job linkage fees for training, publishing legal notices in multiple languages, having developers give up their profits, devaluation of existing property, commercial and open space inducements, elder homelessness, the tax burden of affordable housing on middle income families and the density of the city. 197941: Thirteen registered voters submitting a Zoning Ordinance amendment to prohibit the damage or destruction of any shade or fruit tree during the conversion of a single- family or two-family dwelling. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 198275: Thirteen registered voters submitting a Zoning Ordinance amendment to require certain findings by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals before granting Special Permits. This item will be kept in committee until the new zoning matter is completed. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198276: Thirteen registered voters submitting a Zoning Ordinance amendment to limit the gross floor area increase to 15% for 1- and 2-family dwelling conversions requiring a Special Permit. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198429: Requesting the adoption of a New Zoning Ordinance (updated) to supersede the current Zoning Ordinance as originally adopted on March 23, 1990. Planning Board member Brad Rossen spoke about the proposed zoning overhaul. He discussed the public input process, inclusionary housing, community outreach efforts, workshop meetings, zoning vs. Planning, small scale growth and change, and in-fill development. Mr. Proakis discussed the challenges of the existing code and how the proposed new code would be beneficial to the city. He discussed new districts, better customer service, new economic opportunities for the Arts, building types, fabrication district, affordable housing, parking, reducing the need for special permits and by right uses.

Land Use Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 3/12/2015 The Planning Board will keep the record open until noon on March 20, 2015 to receive additional written comments. The Land Use Committee will keep the record open until noon on March 27, 2015 to receive additional written comments. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE