Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: December 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM Governing Body: Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Type: Regular Meeting Attendees: Susan Fontano (Chair), Zachary Zaremba (Acting Clerk), Ann Fullerton, Olivia Mobayed, Sisia Daglian. Kit Lester (Staff).
Executive Summary: The Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals convened remotely on December 17, 2025. Key actions included the approval of the November 5, 2025, meeting minutes. Two public hearing cases, ZP 25-000094 (17 Hudson Street) and CP 25-000101 (248 Elm Street), were continued. A new case, CP25-000100 (66 Union Square Plaza), was continued to January 14, 2026, due to the applicant's absence. The Board also reviewed the 2026 meeting schedule and adjourned for the holidays.
General Business
- Approval of Meeting Minutes - November 5, 2025
- Motion: Zachary Zaremba moved to approve the meeting minutes of November 5, 2025, as submitted.
- Second: Ann Fullerton seconded the motion.
- Discussion: No comments or corrections were raised.
- Vote:
- Olivia Mobayed: Yes
- Sisia Daglian: Aye
- Zachary Zaremba: Yes
- Ann Fullerton: Aye
- Susan Fontano: Yes
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
Public Hearings
17 Hudson Street (ZP 25-000094)
- Action: This application was continued to the January 14, 2026, ZBA meeting.
248 Elm Street (CP 25-000101)
- Action: This case was identified as an error in advertisement and will be heard by the Planning Board at a date to be determined.
66 Union Square Plaza (CP25-000100)
- Applicant: Sign Design Incorporated
- Request: Seeks to install a non-compliant sign in the Commercial Court District, requiring a hardship variance.
- Applicant Presence: The applicant was not present at the scheduled hearing.
- Board Discussion:
- Kit Lester, case planner, confirmed the applicant was not present and could not be reached.
- The Board confirmed with staff that a case can be continued if the applicant is a no-show.
- A brief recess was taken from 6:08 PM to 6:19 PM to allow staff to contact the applicant and confirm protocol.
- Upon reconvening, the applicant remained absent.
- The Board expressed willingness to continue the case due to potential misunderstanding on the applicant's part, noting Kit Lester had not reported prior issues with them.
- Motion: Zachary Zaremba moved to continue the case for 66 Union Square Plaza, ZP25-00100, to January 14, 2026.
- Second: Olivia Mobayed seconded the motion. Ann Fullerton also seconded.
- Vote:
- Ann Fullerton: Aye
- Olivia Mobayed: Aye
- Sisia Daglian: Aye
- Zachary Zaremba: Aye
- Susan Fontano: Aye
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously (5-0). The case is continued to the ZBA meeting on January 14, 2026.
Other Business
- 2026 Meeting Schedule Review
- The Board members received the 2026 meeting schedule for review.
- Members were encouraged to report any conflicts or discrepancies to staff.
- It was noted that no meeting is scheduled for December 31, 2026.
Adjournment
- Motion: Zachary Zaremba moved to adjourn the meeting.
- Second: Ann Fullerton seconded the motion.
- Vote:
- Olivia Mobayed: Aye
- Sisia Daglian: Aye
- Zachary Zaremba: Aye
- Ann Fullerton: Aye
- Susan Fontano: Aye
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
- Time: The meeting adjourned at 6:25 PM.
- Closing Remarks: Board members extended holiday wishes to each other and staff.