The Zoning & Planning Committee met on Monday, April 13. See the report and meeting video.
Held
- Preservation of existing homes (#20-26) — 8-0. Planning staff presented analysis on two potential tools: a sliding-scale FAR reduction and a Large House Review process. A modest FAR reduction would produce smaller replacement homes; a significant reduction could alter the economics of teardowns. A Large House Review, modeled on Wellesley’s, would focus on stormwater and drainage impacts but offer weak control over house size. Councilors debated the trade-offs, including the effects on nonconforming homes, property tax revenue, and homeowners’ equity. The chair asked Planning to address historic designations and demolition delay at a future meeting.
- Raised beds in setbacks (#42-26) — 8-0. Planning presented draft ordinance language defining “Raised Garden Bed” and “Trellis” and specifying dimensional controls for front, side, and rear setbacks. Councilors expressed varying concerns about proximity to abutters, non-conformities, and the appropriate use of committee time. The chair took a straw vote (6-2) to schedule a public hearing for May 11 (later rescheduled to June 8 due to a clerical error).
Present: Councilors Baker (Chair), Wright (Vice Chair), Gordon, Albright, Oliver, Getz, Kalis, and Dahmubed.
Also present: Councilor Roche.
City staff: Katie Whewell, Acting Director of Planning; Nora Colello, Chief of Long-Range Planning; Jane Santosuosso, Chief Zoning Code Official; Anthony Ciccariello, Commissioner of Inspectional Services; Andrew Lee, Senior Assistant City Solicitor; Miles Starkey, Committee Clerk.
