Executive Summary
The Somerville Planning Board met on January 15, 2026, to address several special permit applications and conduct annual officer elections. Key actions included the approval of a new fitness studio at 152-158 Broadway, a recreational gaming space at 201B Highland Ave, and a formula business restaurant at 248 Elm Street. The Board continued a hearing regarding a loading zone modification at 366 Broadway following concerns about pedestrian safety and the delegation of substantive changes to city staff. Additionally, the Board re-elected Michael Capuano as Chair, Amelia Aboff as Vice-Chair, and Jahan Habib as Clerk for the 2026 term.
Meeting Metadata
- Date: January 15, 2026
- Governing Body: Somerville Planning Board
- Meeting Type: Regular Meeting (Remote Participation)
- Attendees:
- Michael Capuano, Chair
- Amelia Aboff, Vice-Chair
- Jahan Habib, Clerk
- Michael McNeley, Member
- Alvaro (Staff Liaison)
Administrative Items and Continuances
- Continuance of 379 Broadway: The Board voted to continue the hearing for 379 Broadway to February 5, 2026.
- Vote: 4-0 (Jahan Habib: Aye, Michael McNeley: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Aye, Michael Capuano: Aye).
- 44 White Street: Noted as already continued to February 5, 2026; no action taken.
- Approval of Minutes:
- November 6, 2025: Approved. Vote: 3-0 (Michael McNeley: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Aye, Michael Capuano: Aye).
- November 20, 2025: Approved. Vote: 4-0 (Jahan Habib: Aye, Michael McNeley: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Aye, Michael Capuano: Aye).
- December 4, 2025: Approved. Vote: 4-0 (Jahan Habib: Aye, Michael McNeley: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Aye, Michael Capuano: Aye).
152-158 Broadway (ZP25-000111)
- Proposal: Michael LaRosa, representing Biton Fitness, requested a special permit under Section 4.3.13.B.1.B to establish fitness services in a ground-story commercial space fronting a pedestrian street in the Mid-Rise 5 (MR5) district.
- Discussion: The applicant noted this was a secondary permit required specifically due to the pedestrian street frontage, despite a previous approval for the formula business use. The Board discussed the administrative burden of requiring separate applications for related relief.
- Public Testimony: None.
- Action: The Board moved to approve the request with conditions as laid out in the staff memorandum.
- Vote: 4-0 (Jahan Habib: Aye, Michael McNeley: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Aye, Michael Capuano: Aye).
366 Broadway (ZP25-000087)
- Proposal: 366 Broadway Somerville LLC requested a modification to a condition of special permit PN21-175 to change the timing of signage requirements for loading/unloading from "before building permit" to "before certificate of occupancy."
- Discussion:
- The applicant, Evan Stellman, explained that the Mobility Division prefers loading on Broadway rather than Thurston Street as originally permitted.
- Chair Capuano expressed concern over delegating substantive decisions regarding vehicle movement to city staff, stating, "This sounds backwards... delegation of decisions to various city departments are usually somewhat ministerial... and not something kind of substantive as the way vehicles move."
- Vice-Chair Aboff raised concerns about the impact on the bicycle network plan and pedestrian safety.
- Public Testimony: Emily Lalica (Thurston Street resident) spoke in opposition to moving the loading zone to Broadway, noting it would block crosswalk visibility and create hazards for cyclists.
- Action: The Board voted to continue the item to February 5, 2026, to allow for a joint discussion with Mobility Division staff.
- Vote: 4-0 (Jahan Habib: Aye, Michael McNeley: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Aye, Michael Capuano: Aye).
201B Highland Ave (ZP25-000107)
- Proposal: Alan Knowles, owner of Danger Wizard LLC, requested a special permit to establish a recreational services use in the MR3 zoning district.
- Discussion: The business provides professional "Dungeon Master" services for analog tabletop games (Dungeons & Dragons), focusing on after-school programs for grades 3-8. Board members praised the application for its community focus and support for non-screen-based youth activities.
- Public Testimony: Emily Lalica (Thurston Street) spoke in support, citing the value of the program for local children.
- Action: The Board moved to approve the request with conditions in the staff memorandum.
- Vote: 4-0 (Jahan Habib: Aye, Michael McNeley: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Aye, Michael Capuano: Aye).
248 Elm Street (ZP25-000101)
- Proposal: Somerville BBQ Inc. requested a special permit to establish a formula business (Korean BBQ franchise) in the MR4 zoning district, taking over the space formerly occupied by Boston Halal.
- Discussion: Attorney Russell Chin noted the franchise has approximately 1,000 global locations, with this being the applicant's ninth in Massachusetts. The Board confirmed there are no other locations currently in Somerville.
- Public Testimony: None.
- Action: The Board moved to approve the request with conditions in the staff memorandum.
- Vote: 4-0 (Jahan Habib: Aye, Michael McNeley: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Aye, Michael Capuano: Aye).
Other Business
- 40B Project Update: Chair Capuano informed the Board of a potential 40B housing application in Davis Square. He noted that while the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is the primary authority, the Planning Board has a statutory role to play.
- Davis Square Neighborhood Plan: Vice-Chair Aboff requested an update on the status of the Davis Square Neighborhood Plan refresh, noting the commercial area plan was prioritized during COVID-19 but the broader plan remains pending.
Annual Election of Officers
- Clerk: Jahan Habib was nominated to remain as Clerk for 2026.
- Vote: 3-0-1 (Michael McNeley: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Aye, Michael Capuano: Aye, Jahan Habib: Abstain).
- Vice-Chair: Amelia Aboff was nominated to remain as Vice-Chair for 2026.
- Vote: 3-0-1 (Jahan Habib: Aye, Michael McNeley: Aye, Michael Capuano: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Abstain).
- Chair: Michael Capuano was nominated to remain as Chair for 2026.
- Vote: 3-0-1 (Jahan Habib: Aye, Michael McNeley: Aye, Amelia Aboff: Aye, Michael Capuano: Abstain).