The Zoning & Planning Committee met on Monday, June 22. See the report and meeting video.
Held
- Discussion on transformers projecting into the setback (Section 1.5.3 amendment) — 6-0. The Mayor’s request to discuss possible zoning amendments to Section 1.5.3 to allow transformers to project into the setback was held because the Eversource representative could not attend; he is expected at the July 20 meeting.
- Discussion of aligning dimensional controls (setbacks, height, FAR, etc.) for residential developments in business districts, with focused consideration of lots in and adjacent to residential neighborhoods — Held 5-0-1 (Councilor Albright not voting). The Chief of Long-Range Planning presented three options to address residential developments using business-district dimensional standards: rezoning selected residential parcels (concentrated in Ward 1, where 94 of the city’s 133 residential-use parcels in commercial zones sit), a citywide text amendment tying dimensional standards to use, or new special permit findings requiring neighborhood compatibility. A straw poll showed 4 councilors favoring rezoning and 5 favoring an enhanced-context version of the special-permit option. Planning was asked to examine other Business-zone areas for possible rezoning and to craft more robust special permit criteria before the next meeting.
Present: Councilors Baker (Chair), Wright (Vice Chair), Gordon, Albright, Getz, and Kalis.
Absent: Councilors Oliver and Dahmubed.
Also present: Councilors Roche, Block, Malakie, and Farrell.
City staff: Katie Whewell, Acting Director of Planning & Development; Nora Colello, Chief of Long-Range Planning; Jonah Temple, Deputy City Solicitor; Jane Santosuosso, Chief Zoning Code Official; Jill Seppa, Acting City Clerk.