Medford planning committee reviews citywide commercial framework; councilors press for more density in Medford Square and West Medford

Medford City Council Planning and Permitting Committee members heard an introductory presentation on a citywide commercial framework at a meeting on March 12, 2025, in Medford City Hall and via Zoom. Paola Ramos Martinez, senior planner for Innis Associates, described a draft hierarchy of commercial subdistricts intended to guide zoning changes across Medford’s squares and corridors.

The presentation outlined three “mixed use” intensity levels that consultants propose applying to corridor and square geographies. "Mixed use 1" was described as a lower midscale zone (generally three stories by right, plus one additional story with incentive zoning), "mixed use 2" as midscale (four stories by right plus two with incentives), and "mixed use 3" as mid- to high-scale (six stories by right, with additional incentive height possible). Ramos Martinez said the map is a high‑level starting point and that Innis Associates will perform parcel- and…