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Somerville board permits 5‑inch curb reveal for 85 West High Street parking lot
Summary
After debating drainage, safety and cost implications, the Somerville Zoning Board voted to allow a 5‑inch curb reveal — a one‑inch reduction from the 6‑inch curb reveal shown on the approved plans — for a reconstructed parking lot at 85 West High Street.
Somerville — The Zoning Board voted Sept. 3 to permit a 5‑inch curb reveal at 85 West High Street, deviating from the 6‑inch detail shown on approved plans to reduce excavation and cost for the applicant.
Board members reviewed a recently installed curb that left less vertical reveal than the 6‑inch standard typically required for new parking‑lot construction. The applicant asked whether the board would allow flexibility so the contractor would not have to dig out an additional 2–3 inches of subbase across the lot, a change that the applicant said would add substantial cost and truck traffic.
Board members discussed drainage and safety concerns and noted that borough practice commonly uses 4–6 inches for curb reveal depending on the situation. One member summarized the tradeoff: the 6‑inch reveal is standard for new construction, but smaller reveals limit excavation costs.
"I'll make the motion that we will allow a 5 inch review," a member said before the board voted. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all members present voting in favor.
Why it matters: The decision is largely a technical relief for a private parking‑lot reconstruction, balancing visual and long‑term maintenance considerations against upfront cost and construction impacts. The board signaled that a 5‑inch reveal is acceptable in this instance given the site's history and the applicant's presentation.
The board recorded the motion and approved the deviation; no further public comment was required on the curb‑reveal change.
