Somerville Planning Board 11-20-2025

Date: November 20, 2025 Time: 6:01 PM Governing Body: Somerville Planning Board Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting Attendees:

• Michael Capuano, Planning Board Chair
• Amelia Aboff, Planning Board Vice-Chair
• Michael McNeley, Planning Board Member
• Lynn Richards, Planning Board Member
• Luc Schuster, Planning Board Alternate
• Jahan Habib, Planning Board Clerk (noted as opening/closing previous meeting)
• Sarah, Case Planner (representing Kit)

Executive Summary: The Somerville Planning Board met on November 20, 2025, to address several agenda items. The primary discussions revolved around the continuation of a case for 379 Somerville Avenue and a detailed review of the 44 White Street application, specifically concerning parking and pedestrian safety. The Board voted to continue both the 379 Somerville Avenue case and the 44 White Street application to the December 4th meeting to allow the applicant for 44 White Street to further coordinate with the Mobility Department regarding bike parking and pedestrian safety measures. The meeting also included the approval of the October 2, 2025, meeting minutes, subject to confirmation of the individual who opened and closed that meeting.

• Chairman Michael Capuano called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM.
• The meeting was conducted via remote participation pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025.
• A video recording of the proceedings is available on the city's website or by emailing planningboard@somervillema.gov.

• A written request was received from the applicant to continue their case.
• Motion: To continue the agenda item for 379 Somerville Avenue to the December 4th meeting.
• Moved by: Michael Capuano
• Seconded by: Amelia Aboff
• Roll Call Vote:
  • Lynn Richards: Aye
  • Luc Schuster: Aye
  • Michael McNeley: Aye
  • Amelia Aboff: Aye
  • Michael Capuano: Aye
• Outcome: The motion passed unanimously. The agenda item is continued to December 4, 2025.

• Board members reviewed the draft meeting minutes from October 2, 2025.
• Discussion: Lynn Richards inquired about the individual who opened and closed the October 2nd meeting, as she believed it was Michael Capuano, but the minutes indicated Jahan Habib. Michael Capuano stated he did not recall and suggested confirming with the recording.
• Motion: To adopt the draft meeting minutes of the October 2, 2025, meeting, subject to confirmation of the actual person who opened and closed the meeting.
• Moved by: Michael Capuano
• Seconded by: Amelia Aboff
• Roll Call Vote:
  • Lynn Richards: Aye
  • Luc Schuster: Aye
  • Michael McNeley: Aye
  • Amelia Aboff: Aye
  • Michael Capuano: Aye
• Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

• Applicant Team: Ann Vigorito (Attorney), Jacob Simmons (Developer), Narius (Khalsa Design, Architect), Steve Saragusa (Traffic Engineer).
• Case Planner: Sarah (filling in for Kit).
• Disclosure: Michael Capuano disclosed that he was not present at the October 16th meeting but had reviewed the video and submitted an affidavit.
• Applicant Presentation: Ann Vigorito offered to recap the previous presentation but noted the Board seemed well-briefed. She highlighted that pedestrian safety concerns raised at the previous meeting would be addressed during the building permit process, with Steve Saragusa working with the Mobility Department.
• Board Questions and Discussion:
  • Supplemental Memo: Sarah confirmed that a supplemental memo prepared by Kit was distributed.
  • Pedestrian Safety (Cambridge Interface): Amelia Aboff inquired about coordination with the City of Cambridge, as the property backs onto a Cambridge right-of-way. Steve Saragusa confirmed coordination between both municipalities and suggested a pedestrian alert system tied to garage door operation.
  • Bike Parking:
    • Michael McNeley raised concerns about the proposed three bike parking spaces (one per unit) being insufficient.
    • Jacob Simmons proposed an escrow account system where buyers could elect to convert vehicular parking spaces to bike parking at purchase or in the future, acknowledging the need for one-to-one vehicular parking for marketability initially.
    • Michael Capuano suggested exploring stacked bike racks within vehicular spaces to accommodate both.
    • Narius presented a site plan showing the proposed bike parking area and discussed potential expansion.
    • Michael McNeley reiterated his concern about the need for vehicular parking in this transit-oriented location and requested more creativity for bike parking solutions.
  • Pedestrian Alert System:
    • Michael McNeley requested more details on the pedestrian safety interaction.
    • Narius presented a potential product for a pedestrian alert system at the garage entrance, which would flash and make noise when a vehicle is detected.
    • Steve Saragusa clarified that this is an example product and would be discussed with Mobility. He noted the low volume of vehicle traffic (three units) would mitigate noise/light concerns.
    • Sarah reminded the Board of Condition #19 in the original staff memo, requiring a pedestrian alert system installed prior to the certificate of occupancy.
    • Amelia Aboff requested that discussions with Mobility prioritize a hardwired system for ease of maintenance by a non-professional condo association. Sarah confirmed this could be included in the condition language.
    • Sarah also noted that Mobility is generally not in support of vehicles at this location due to cramped conditions and potential for reversing.
  • Bike Parking (Continued):
    • Amelia Aboff expressed openness to approving the special permit if bike parking is provided for all anticipated residents, suggesting accommodation for up to 12 people (a bike per bed for three-bedroom units). She suggested a common area for bike parking rather than individual unit spaces.
    • Lynn Richards, a bike owner, suggested nine full-sized bike spaces with additional hooks for smaller bikes in the mechanical closet area, considering the potential for children's bikes. She noted that requiring 12 full-sized spaces might be unrealistic given the space constraints.
    • Steve Saragusa explained that Mobility has rigorous standards for bike spaces and that accommodating more bikes might require non-compliant spaces, necessitating discussion with Mobility or a hardship variance.
    • Sarah clarified that the zoning ordinance primarily addresses the percentage of cargo/tandem bikes, not necessarily the size of all spaces, and suggested a conversation with Mobility to understand their requirements.
    • Michael Capuano expressed support for the project, acknowledging the unique circumstances of White Street not being a city street for residential parking and the applicant's commitment to building family-sized housing, a long-standing goal of the Board. He suggested an open-ended condition to work with Mobility to maximize bike parking.
    • Lynn Richards echoed Michael Capuano's sentiment, highlighting the need for housing over retail and supporting an open-ended condition for bike parking.
    • Sarah suggested a compromise of a minimum of eight full-size bike spaces, assuming sufficient ceiling height for stacking, and continuing discussions with Mobility.
    • Steve Saragusa confirmed willingness to discuss eight spaces with Mobility.
    • Michael Capuano suggested continuing the item to allow the applicant to coordinate with Mobility.
    • Luc Schuster emphasized the importance of e-bike accommodation (heavier, harder to elevate) and suggested aiming for nine bike spaces (a multiple of three for each unit) if 12 is not feasible.
• Motion: To continue the agenda item for 44 White Street to the December 4th meeting.
• Moved by: Michael Capuano
• Seconded by: Amelia Aboff
• Roll Call Vote:
  • Lynn Richards: Aye
  • Luc Schuster: Aye
  • Michael McNeley: Aye
  • Amelia Aboff: Aye
  • Michael Capuano: Aye
• Outcome: The motion passed unanimously. The agenda item is continued to December 4, 2025.

• This item does not require immediate attention and will be continued to the next meeting without a formal vote.

• Motion: To adjourn the meeting.
• Moved by: Michael Capuano
• Seconded by: Amelia Aboff
• Roll Call Vote:
  • Lynn Richards: Aye
  • Luc Schuster: Aye
  • Michael McNeley: Aye
  • Amelia Aboff: Aye
  • Michael Capuano: Aye
• Outcome: The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned.