The Zoning & Planning Committee met on Monday, April 13. See the report and meeting video.
Held
Both items below were discussed together. A public hearing on the items is scheduled for May 11.
- Preservation of existing homes/teardown amendments — 8-0. The Planning Department presented an analysis of teardown trends, noting that homes on larger lots are more likely to be redeveloped and that the SR2 zone has the highest volume of teardowns. The committee focused on two options: a sliding scale FAR reduction (either modest, which would reduce replacement home size, or significant, which could alter development economics enough to deter teardowns) and a Large House Review process similar to Wellesley’s, which focuses on stormwater impacts and site review rather than hard size limits. The committee will continue the discussion with an updated analysis.
- Raised beds in setbacks — 8-0. The Planning Department presented a proposed ordinance amendment that would allow raised garden beds up to 2 feet in height in front setbacks (no closer than 5 feet from the front lot line) and up to 3.75 feet in side and rear setbacks (no closer than 3 feet from the property line), with trellises up to 5 feet attached to a raised bed.
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, Assistant City Solicitor; Miles Starkey, Committee Clerk.
