[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6317589,"mediaKeyId","2370834-573d6e0da12bd5c4b575e1f45b36dc03","parentId",2370834,"title","Public hearing opened on Horace Ward rezoning to MR6 for Boynton Yards properties","audioSeconds",1486,"startMs",124000,"endMs",1610000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2370834-573d6e0da12bd5c4b575e1f45b36dc03&start=124&end=1610","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2370834-573d6e0da12bd5c4b575e1f45b36dc03/thumbnail_124000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6317589/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Public-hearing-opened-on-Horace-Ward-rezoning-to-MR6-for-Boynton-Yards-properties","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317589-0279c51762f22893f999aad81c7606ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197200&Signature=TGAhFlX51MruwDu8hMwx5JZZh6L7DpaFR7I5MXUX5iXbks0RPPxObCv~EzeRVEtnyTCGKoWMVdmqj7Px25N8xgsbEyTqOLjAuXaT~PV5yeSVOCM-DGfuWHPAnMJ9Nd3VLHU9CE5SK5UJjIz8S3OBq3HfVrGKjxbvpo0dXlrAS17RNbFk03jUY-ReIFpfJgHFvhsoDHUy7J~Y~CbmngBd~PSYgW6bRuy3nglHv13a6FmMTeSm9q02nnljVzTCfA3HyUVO4auj96~DpWJ7YCB1VIgksAETBK72GUzs1HSrcYzBpbTYAv-b~HFNhyE6tAcI0YaiNxu7OdceZPB3NGU3CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Somerville City, MA","date","2025-02-21T00:00:00Z","article","A joint public hearing opened Feb. 24 on a proposed zoning map amendment that would rezone several parcels near Boynton Yards from Mid‑Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid‑Rise 6 (MR6).

The applicants — identified in the hearing as Horace Ward LLC, Beam Realty LLC, Deli Properties LLC and Deli Properties 2 LLC — are seeking the change for properties listed roughly as 11 Horace Street; 5, 7, 9, 13 and 15 Ward Street; and 15 and 21 South Street. Attorney Adam Dash represented the applicants during the public hearing and presented conceptual plans.

The proposal, as presented, would allow larger buildings intended to support research-and‑development and advanced‑technology uses. Architect Brian Slozak of SGA described a conceptual MR6 building with a roughly 30,000‑square‑foot floor plate, a minimum of 5 percent arts and creative space (about 7,500–9,000 square feet), open space located to the east of the building and a proposed sidewalk width of 12 feet along building edges in the primary concept. Slozak also presented alternate site diagrams that widen the South Street sidewalk to 25 feet, shift the building footprint to preserve frontage and increase upper‑floor setbacks; those alternatives still showed a 30,000‑square‑foot floor plate.

Adam Dash told the committee the applicants have owned most of the properties for about 40 years and that keeping MR‑zoned parcels at a higher capacity would “minimize displacement of the businesses that are currently in the property” and allow existing tech and R&D tenants to stay. Dash said the applicants would convey land if necessary to allow the city to widen and straighten South Street for a protected bike lane.

During public comment, Michelle Hanson, co‑chair of the Union Square Neighborhood Council, said the neighborhood council has met with the applicant and is working toward a community benefits agreement. Resident Tori Antonino urged the developer to avoid anticoagulant rodenticides during construction and to follow the city’s green roof guidance. Crystal Huff, a Ward 5 resident, expressed support for the additional open space and engagement process.

Planning Board Chair Mike Capuano declared the public hearing open and accepted written testimony through 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, to planningboard@somervillema.gov; the Land Use Committee said it would accept public comments at publiccomments@somervillema.gov under the same deadline. The Planning Board and Land Use Committee did not take a final vote on the rezoning at this meeting; the Planning Board adjourned the joint hearing and the Land Use Committee returned to its separate meeting.

The materials presented were explicitly conceptual; presenters said a rezoning would not itself approve any specific building design, which would require later site plan review and permitting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Somerville City Land Use - 2025-02-20","oneSentenceSummary","A joint public hearing opened Feb. 24 on a proposed zoning map amendment that would rezone several parcels near Boynton Yards from Mid‑Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid‑Rise 6 (MR6).","taxTitle","Somerville City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",4564,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6317574,"Councilors ask planning staff to draft transit‑oriented height and density bonus options for affordable housing",927,3300000,4227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2370834-573d6e0da12bd5c4b575e1f45b36dc03&start=3300&end=4227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2370834-573d6e0da12bd5c4b575e1f45b36dc03/thumbnail_3300000.jpg","/articles/6317574/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Councilors-ask-planning-staff-to-draft-transitoriented-height-and-density-bonus-options-for-affordable-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317574-3ac2787d717c336c1069b796ac31d7aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197200&Signature=XRBYOpMPxyIqLRehq8LLAyFuuMqXjV~XXn1xbCYF1EnKwbQ1E5R4xhVmTKQVjJjuKkA7n3Jr83P9UqMcpy-e0GvrNoHmaglt9NIhLHgafE5rd1O6ptY69vAS3GXbZpFr6UJ~7eUHrILQKpfabymrSMtCLc6NBYYReTDWRdNQkgjU~15pEJ8xjaeiX4EiqCHJRCic3kEwC60Z-Lbu-xzyqK9yCJmx8Zei~szN1DG4Cc9Lv1ldsj28Y6gUytmcQ-CiS6KOAMa9aGGlj5iW5Es5On4HzGra6ye2OgZwZTLeXbxzMq-B3xqKuxCbY1xZMTQ1HNslpujUhKnqOFrn2QE~zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors McLaughlin, Davis and Wilson introduced an order asking the Planning, Preservation and Zoning Department to draft zoning amendments that would provide height and density bonuses near transit in exchange for additional affordable housing and other enumerated community benefits.

Planning Department staff said Feb. 24 the department will explore transit‑oriented upzoning and bonus story approaches in the coming months, coordinating with the city’s long‑range plan (Somerville Vision 2040) and other ongoing studies. Staff cited recent regional developments, including Cambridge’s citywide zoning changes, and a forthcoming joint Somerville–Medford corridor study along Broadway, as context for why the city should consider targeted transit‑area upzoning.

Councilors discussed past conversations about bonus stories for affordable commercial space and the importance of aligning any proposals with the city’s planning goals. Councilor John Davis asked about expected timing; staff said reorganizations and staffing changes delayed prior work but indicated the topic is now on the department’s work program. Several councilors — including Davis and Matthew Wilson — urged that the evaluation consider whether higher‑rise options should be included in specific locations.

The committee left the item in committee for further development; no ordinance text was presented or voted on. Council liaison Samantha Carr, newly assigned to support the council on land‑use matters, was introduced at the meeting and will assist in coordinating this work with the Planning Department and the council.","Councilors introduced an order asking the Planning Department to draft zoning amendments that would permit increased height and density near transit in exchange for additional affordable housing and enumerated community benefits. Staff said the topic will be explored in coming months and tied to ongoing corridor studies and other planning work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6317579,"Committee approves permitting NR building types in UR district to reduce nonconformities",688,2610000,3298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2370834-573d6e0da12bd5c4b575e1f45b36dc03&start=2610&end=3298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2370834-573d6e0da12bd5c4b575e1f45b36dc03/thumbnail_2610000.jpg","/articles/6317579/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Committee-approves-permitting-NR-building-types-in-UR-district-to-reduce-nonconformities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317579-9e8895a8578f279d98468ccdacb0489e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197200&Signature=b2Ejnzqpl6IsSdGKbJQpZJz4HkDUBjNyvW2wBK1FgSbfws5ktFejcEu9EmR5SwtGr~JaJwast5fvPQYoiK2f4RTjAB0zsdQkJ640efgmYM4zS~2H3jterj4OiHTu8kMD~HSAoMNLtHceiFob075qBgy85M-3pA7DiLLoOwb6AebDP61C-2kEp6ynIYXp55cKDBeO0~8tocYv2azMvybR6YE1xOBR5D~RxHfu~fnUq-Z2-UAlTcCckBqU7wKciHeBGkzft6UiXx3ddZ2ho-bpv4KT2F4qsQsKCIudfpVBjFvF1OeasYDNdVZv87Y7ANawxZzCqlIO7cV2OrvtMf55VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Land Use Committee voted Feb. 24 to recommend an amendment that allows the building types permitted in the Neighborhood Residential (NR) zoning district to also be permitted in the Urban Residential (UR) zoning district.

Planning Department staff said the change responds to property owners in UR‑zoned parcels whose existing residential building types became nonconforming when the city remapped areas into UR. Dan Bartman explained that the amendment will reduce the need for variances and special permits for routine repairs and modest renovations and will remove incentives for some owners to downzone their properties to regain conformity.

Councilor John Davis, who moved to approve the amendment, said the change helps homeowners keep porches and other existing features without lengthy permit processes while preserving the city’s long‑term planning goals. City staff said the amendment may make a small number of undersized UR lots newly eligible for certain NR building types, potentially allowing modest increases in housing on those lots.

The committee voted to recommend the ordinance amendment to the full council. Recorded votes showed Councilors Davis, Saeed, Wilson, Klingen and McLaughlin in favor.","The committee voted to amend the zoning ordinance to allow neighborhood residential (NR) building types to be permitted within the urban residential (UR) zoning district to reduce nonconforming designations and ease minor repairs for homeowners.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6317584,"Council approves bicycle parking ordinance clarifications; requests study on outdoor rack materials",2310,1889000,4199000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2370834-573d6e0da12bd5c4b575e1f45b36dc03&start=1889&end=4199","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2370834-573d6e0da12bd5c4b575e1f45b36dc03/thumbnail_1889000.jpg","/articles/6317584/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-bicycle-parking-ordinance-clarifications-requests-study-on-outdoor-rack-materials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317584-84252081d25eac8509253e4869f30bf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197200&Signature=CTHWEosiJEPOdSdKEBGxYGGdgpSlNuzzsNveuu2SI-P03aTEMIEEB-mkuNQN0RwmAPnva3gdzOD~V1qjYJk-5~5AuI1mF1Om2nLHbZAbsJpnotB8gijBLWxAVxbRvhS8j0Fh6~HHKUwvEqCnpHpp5lkjemeLdyrYGsnq1F0JA05IcSS50riIaSrD0DB9~a2ft3Z7dqg1j2l66nRdHx5uqLf7wzFNrPa0YvNn53o7DvY6OyCUpud2zaWqX7Rkb2J3YgDmWQxyn191EszoujzAVbEfFC0lhbHxo2UhSUo7dvl0uUzGmgr4geWxtTo85XU7ajv8rtSC8iwLLvMfZcHWzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Land Use Committee voted Feb. 24 to approve an amendment to the zoning ordinance that clarifies rules for bicycle parking installation and layout and to request a formal opinion from the Planning Department about whether the city may set standards for materials used in outdoor bike facilities.

Dan Bartman of the Planning Department described the amendment as a set of clarifying edits based on four years of permitting experience, intended to specify acceptable rack arrangements, orientation near walls and minimum security and anchoring standards. Planner Andrew Greminski told the committee the proposed language requires bike racks to be anchored and bolted to the ground but does not specify a particular surface material.

Councilor Matthew Wilson said residents have reported bike thefts where racks were anchored in asphalt and suggested the ordinance specify concrete as the preferred anchoring surface. Mr. Bartman said the city would research whether such material requirements are allowed; he noted and staff cautioned that state building code or other statutes can limit municipal regulation of building materials.

Councilor John McLaughlin moved that the Planning Department provide an opinion on whether the council can dictate standards and materials for outdoor bike facilities; the motion passed unanimously. Later, Councilor Sarah Klingen moved to approve the zoning text amendment; the committee voted to approve the ordinance edits as recommended.

The committee’s recorded roll call for the ordinance approval showed affirmative votes from Councilors Davis, Saeed, Wilson, Klingen and McLaughlin. The planning staff said they would follow up with the council if legal or code constraints require different language.","The Land Use Committee approved amendments clarifying bicycle parking layout and requirements and unanimously requested the Planning Department to advise whether the city can set standards or materials for outdoor bike facilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public hearing opened on Horace Ward rezoning to MR6 for Boynton Yards properties

Councilors ask planning staff to draft transit‑oriented height and density bonus options for affordable housing

Committee approves permitting NR building types in UR district to reduce nonconformities

Council approves bicycle parking ordinance clarifications; requests study on outdoor rack materials