Committee Report - Land Use - 4-7-15 — File 198747

Land Use Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 4/8/2015 April 7, 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 Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Present Robert J. McWatters Ward Three Alderman Present Tony Lafuente Ward Four Alderman Present Rebekah L. Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Absent John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present Mary Jo Rossetti Alderman at Large Present Others present: Michael Glavin - OSPCD, George Proakis - OSPCD, Davis Shapiro - Law, Omar Boukili- Mayor's Office Chairman Sullivan informed the committee that Alderman Ballantyne was out of town and unable to attend the meeting. 198429: Requesting the adoption of a New Zoning Ordinance (updated) to supersede the current Zoning Ordinance as originally adopted on March 23, 1990. Mr. Proakis gave a presentation of the new zoning proposal, comparing it to the pros and cons of the city’s current zoning code, and explained that the proposed zoning builds a framework that makes more sense and allows for the implementation of the goals in SomerVision and creates predictability while opening up opportunity for commercial development. He spoke about updating the draft based on some of the 1,000 individual thoughts submitted by the public. Most people were in favor of an overhaul of the code and the fundamental strategy but expressed concern about several aspects of the proposal, e.g., conserving residential neighborhoods, paired houses and side set backs. Mr. Proakis also spoke about commercial/residential mix, civic space, green space, affordable housing, residential unit density, site plan approval, the design review committee, establishment of the zoning permit, the impacts of neighborhood meetings on

Land Use Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 4/8/2015 projects and uses. Mr. Proakis will provide a list of cities that are currently using form based zoning and Alderman Heuston asked what cities, similar to Somerville, are using this approach. Alderman Heuston expressed concern that many people don’t realize the impact this new proposal will have and she would like to have additional ward meetings to explain how maps would affect neighborhoods. Alderman Heuston also asked to see both the full and condensed versions of the public comments received. Chairman Sullivan stated his concern about residents’ quality of life and wants a new draft submitted. Alderman Rossetti’s motion that the committee be provided with a report, prior to its next meeting, comparing the number of permits issued from October 2013 to April 2014 vs. from October 2014 to April 2015, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE