Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ecbd Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Board leans toward three-story cap, keeps TDR and asks staff for floodplain maps to guide ECBD changes
Summary
Somerville Planning Board members recommended a uniform three-story maximum for much of the East Central Business District’s southern portion, agreed to keep Transfer of Development Rights incentives, and directed staff to produce GIS overlays of floodplain boundaries and proposed bulk standards for further review.
At its April 22 meeting the Somerville Planning Board discussed zoning guidance for the borough’s East Central Business District (ECBD) and signaled support for a uniform three-story height limit across much of the southern ECBD area while retaining Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) incentives to steer development away from flood hazard areas.
Jason Krasco, a Planning Board member who also identified himself as vice chair of the Recreation Committee, urged the board to set a maximum of three stories on most parcels south of Main Street and allow applicants to pursue variances for exceptions. "I would suggest just going to, you know, a threestory building, max across it, and then if somebody wants a variance... they can come in," Krasco said. Other members agreed that most of the southern portion is already developed and that a three-story baseline would provide clarity for developers and residents.
Board members asked staff (Mike) to work with GIS to produce precise overlays showing floodplain extents and parcel boundaries so the board can distinguish parcels inside the flood hazard area from those outside it. Members emphasized that policy choices in flood-prone areas should be consistent with the master plan; several suggested leaving residential zoning in place on specific streets such as Hamilton and Franklin and using TDR and other incentives to encourage development away from the floodplain.
The board also agreed to review Schedule B (the list of allowed uses) and to ask staff to prepare draft bulk standards and step-down guidance for taller buildings to avoid abrupt height transitions. Members noted existing constraints—parking, pre-existing structures and narrow setbacks—should inform any change.
What comes next: Staff will circulate GIS mapping and proposed bulk standards before the next meeting; members are to review base zoning, Schedule B allowed uses and the ECBD map so the board can refine a recommendation to council.
