Executive Summary
The Land Use Committee held a joint public hearing with the Planning Board on June 18, 2026, to consider a proposed Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCTIF) district for Assembly Square and East Somerville and a zoning amendment regarding the definition and location of homeless shelters. The committee also acknowledged the withdrawal of a zoning map amendment request for Union Square (Item 26-0257). No official votes were taken on the primary agenda items, which remain in committee for further deliberation following a public comment period ending July 10, 2026.
Meeting Information
- Governing Body: Land Use Committee (Joint Meeting with the Planning Board)
- Meeting Date: June 18, 2026
- Meeting Type: Joint Public Hearing
- Land Use Committee Attendees: Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen (Chair), Councilor Lance Davis, Councilor Jesse Clingan, Councilor Naima Sait, Councilor Matt McLaughlin.
- Planning Board Attendees: Michael Capuano (Chair), Amelia Aboff (Vice-Chair), Jahan Habib (Clerk), Lynn Richards, Coralie Cooper, Luc Schuster, Michael McNeley.
- Staff Present: Tom Gallaghani (Executive Director, OSPCD), Katie Weiss (Economic Development Planner), Samantha Carr (Land Use Analyst), Fiona DiMartino (Planning Staff).
Agenda Item 26-0257: Union Square Zoning Map Amendment
- Description: Union 2 Associates, LLC requesting zoning map amendment to change the zoning district of 2 and 9 Union Square, 286, 290, and 298 Somerville Avenue from Commercial Core 5 to Mid-Rise 6.
- Action: The item was withdrawn at the request of the applicant and marked as such in the record.
Agenda Item 26-0746: Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCTIF)
- Description: Proposed approval of the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing Active Zone Plan and Form of Agreement for Assembly Square and East Somerville.
- Presentation Summary: Katie Weiss (OSPCD) explained that the UCTIF is a state-administered program through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC). It allows municipalities to offer property tax exemptions on the "tax increment" (the increased value of improved real estate) for a maximum of 20 years to incentivize housing production on vacant or underutilized lots.
- Key Financial and Geographic Data:
- The proposed zone covers portions of Assembly Square and East Somerville (McGrath Highway and Broadway).
- 85% of the zone is commercial; 59% of commercial leasable square footage is currently vacant.
- Over 50% of the zone consists of paved surfaces or vacant lots.
- Public Comment Summary:
- Crystal Huff (Ward 5): Expressed strong support for the tool to increase affordable housing production.
- Ben Rogan (East Somerville Property Owner): Supported the plan, stating it would "provide much needed affordable housing and market rate housing" and activate the pedestrian experience on East Broadway.
- Action: The public hearing was closed. The item remains in committee. The public comment period is open until July 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM.
Agenda Item 26-0835: Homeless Shelter Zoning Amendment
- Description: Zoning Ordinance ID 26-0835 by Councilor Davis proposing an amendment to Section 2.1.1 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding homeless shelters.
- Discussion Summary: Councilor Davis noted the amendment corrects a previous "scrivener's error" that inadvertently removed the definition of homeless shelters. The proposal seeks to expand where shelters can be located as a principal use, potentially including Neighborhood Residence (NR) zones to avoid total reliance on the Dover Amendment.
- Key Discussion Points:
- Ground Floor Access: Amelia Aboff (Planning Board) noted that ground floor use is critical for shelter operators as "the burden of going up or down stairs or using an elevator is often something that is very emotionally troubling and challenging" for those experiencing homelessness.
- Zoning Districts: Samantha Carr (Land Use Analyst) clarified the amendment includes NR, Urban Residential, Mid-Rise 3-6, High-Rise, Powder House School, and Assembly Square Mixed-Use districts, but excludes ground-floor use on designated Pedestrian Streets.
- Requests for Information:
- Chair Capuano requested a staff analysis of how peer communities zone and permit shelters in residential neighborhoods.
- Councilor Sait requested maps showing the city-wide impact of including versus excluding Neighborhood Residential zones.
- Public Comment Summary:
- Crystal Huff (Ward 5): Strongly supported including Neighborhood Residential zones, noting they represent approximately 38% of the city's zoning.
- Action: The public hearing was closed. The item remains in committee. The public comment period is open until July 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM.