Planning staff presents broad use-table overhaul; committee continues hearing to Sept. 29

City planning staff presented a comprehensive rewrite of the zoning use table at the committee's Aug. 25 public hearing, describing changes that split broad "supercategory" uses into discrete entries to give the city more nuanced permitting discretion.

Assistant City Planner Mike McCarthy summarized the staff packet and timeline, telling the committee the revision work began before 2024 and staff transmitted a detailed use-table memo with redline changes. Key edits include revising residential language (moving from the term "family" to "household" in line with state guidance), separating townhouses from multifamily categories, breaking lodging into bed-and-breakfast/inn, hostel (special-permit use) and hotels by size, and adding new retail categories (liquor-store, weaponry store, etc.). He said the planning board reviewed the referral and that many changes aim to reduce ambiguity.

New business categories highlighted: a 'hostel' definition (commercial, affiliated with national/international hostel organizations, with an on-site employee requirement), 'brewpub' and 'neighborhood cafe' definitions, 'food hall/public market' entries, and more granular marine and industrial categories including waterfront storage and maritime trade. For industrial and waterfront uses, staff added performance criteria so site-plan review can address circulation and neighbor impacts.

Staff also previewed a form-based code initiative (targeting downtown, Acushnet Avenue, and parts of County and Rivet Street) designed to resolve neighborhood-scale questions — for example, to avoid spot-zoning while giving finer control over building form in context-sensitive areas.

The hearing was continued: committee members asked for additional materials and clarifications; the body voted to continue the hearing to the next Ordinance Committee meeting on Monday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers so staff can provide the requested follow-up.