CommitteeSomerville

Land Use Committee

Track committee activity, current roster, and published meeting coverage for Land Use Committee in Somerville.

0 active membersLast meeting Jun 18, 202611 summaries in 30d

Summaries

Active roster

Latest activity

Aug 11, 2026

Municipality

Somerville

Latest coverage

Land Use Committee Reviews Zoning Changes

Published Aug 11, 2026

Related summaries

Published meeting coverage connected to Land Use Committee.

Briefing

Jun 18, 2026

Housing financing and shelter zoning remain under review

The committee kept both the proposed housing tax-increment financing plan for Assembly Square and East Somerville and the homeless-shelter zoning amendment in committee; public comments are due July 10 at noon.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 21, 2026

Accessory Dwelling Rules Remain Under Review

The committee kept four proposed zoning amendments in committee, including changes affecting backyard cottages, affordable dwelling units, and lot-split approvals. Staff will continue reviewing the proposals, including a suggested backyard-cottage size limit of 900 square feet compared with the current 1,500-square-foot state-law allowance.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 7, 2026

Affordable Housing Zoning Changes Advance

The committee recommended approval, with amendments, of zoning changes intended to allow larger and more flexible affordable housing projects. The proposal would use an eight-story cap and require rear and side setback lots to be at least 100 feet deep or wide.

3 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 16, 2026

Somerville zoning proposals remain under review

The committee kept all zoning proposals in committee, including a Union Square map change that could add around 150 housing units and several amendments addressing backyard cottages, affordable housing, and neighborhood development.

3 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 2, 2026

Affordable housing zoning changes remain under review

The committee kept proposed Affordable Housing Overlay zoning changes in committee rather than advancing them. Members focused on parking setbacks, including a 30-foot setback requirement, and requested more flexibility before considering an amended version.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Mar 19, 2026

Affordable housing zoning changes stay under review

The committee kept both affordable-housing zoning proposals in committee after public hearings, so neither was approved. The proposals would allow larger, more flexible affordable housing projects and revise accessory dwelling unit rules; staff are also developing guidance on how state requirements apply in Somerville.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Dec 4, 2025

Committee Advances Several Zoning Changes

The committee recommended approval of three zoning actions: making pre-submittal meetings optional for most permits, allowing home-based child day care as an accessory use, and changing zoning at 363 Highland Avenue and 110 Willow Avenue.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Nov 20, 2025

90 Washington Redevelopment Advances

The committee unanimously recommended approval of the amended 90 Washington Street Demonstration Project Plan, a related agreement amendment, and development objectives.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Nov 6, 2025

Land Use Committee Meeting Summary

The committee kept major zoning and redevelopment items in committee, including transit-oriented upzoning, home-based child care, pre-submittal meeting changes, and plans for 90 Washington Street. A proposal involving 363 Highland Avenue and 110 Willow Avenue could add more than 200 housing units, including 50 affordable units, but no zoning change was approved.

3 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Oct 2, 2025

Transit-oriented zoning proposal stays under review

The committee kept a proposal for transit-oriented height and density bonuses in committee while staff continue analyzing Gilman Square and Ball Square development opportunities.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Sep 18, 2025

Land Use Committee Reviews Zoning Changes

The committee kept a proposed transit-oriented height and density amendment in committee for further analysis, including work focused on Gilman Square. It recommended marking discussions about outdoor bike facility materials and Type IV heavy timber construction as completed, while placing a separate zoning amendment request on file after its 165-day action period lapsed.

1 min readMunicipal coverage