Rezoning Broadway:Rezoning Broadway:Rezoning Broadway:Rezoning Broadway:Winter Hill to East SomervilleWinter Hill to East Somerville

Community MeetingCommunity MeetingCommunity MeetingCommunity MeetingMay 7, 2009May 7, 2009

Monica R. LamboyMonica R. LamboyExecutive DirectorExecutive Director

OSPCDOSPCDOSPCDOSPCD

Strengths of Broadway CorridorStrengths of Broadway Corridor

• Excellent transportation access: Rail, Road, & Bus• Active community & business groupsActive community & business groups• Distinctive neighborhood character• Strong public health systemg p y• Diversity of residents and businesses• Many families

Hi i id• Historic corridor

Existing ChallengesExisting Challenges

C t l i d i• Current laws impede expansion or redevelopment

• Limited public open space• Imbalance between vehicle,

pedestrian, bicyclist• Underdeveloped parcelsp p• Disconnected neighborhoods• Limited off-street parking• Residential neighborhoods impacted

by I-93

Why Rezone Broadway?Why Rezone Broadway?• Access to existing & future rapid transit stations• Key opportunity sites on large parcels in critical

locationslocations• Enable existing and potential businesses to

grow compatibly with residential neighborsBroadway is an important commercial corridor• Broadway is an important commercial corridor

• Increased opportunity for access to transit• Ongoing Resurgence through Main Streets g g g g• Large parcels hold potential for redevelopment

Process to Develop ProposalProcess to Develop Proposal• Kickoff Meeting - November 2008

• Four (4) Focus Group Meetings• Four (4) Focus Group Meetings

• Developed vision for area

Evaluated blocks & sites for redevelopment infill or preservation• Evaluated blocks & sites for redevelopment, infill, or preservation

• Reviewed zoning alternatives

• Rezoning proposal drafted• Rezoning proposal drafted

• 2nd Community Meeting - March 2009

• 3rd Community Meeting - May 7, 2009

• Submit proposal to Board of Aldermen – May 14, 2009 (tent.)

Vision for Broadway CorridorVision for Broadway Corridor• Safe, vital streets with daytime and nighttime

activityactivity• A mix of businesses that would be attractive to

nearby residents• Economic revitalization• Green spaces as well as plazas

Green buildings• Green buildings• Reduced zoning burden• Creation of a gateway to the CityCreation of a gateway to the City

OSPCD Key Organizing OSPCD Key Organizing PrinciplesPrinciplesPrinciplesPrinciples

1. Facilitate development in opportunity areasRedevelop underutilized areasInfill development where appropriateInfill development where appropriatePreserve existing development character in areas

2. Respect transition between commercial & presidential districts

3 Balance circulation amenities3. Balance circulation amenitiesPedestrian-friendly uses and building designReduce parking requirements

OSPCD Key Organizing OSPCD Key Organizing PrinciplesPrinciplesPrinciplesPrinciples

4. Ensure design quality and compatibilityg q y p yDesign guidelines for each areaUpper levels of buildings set back and smaller

5 Provide greater certainty to applicants &5. Provide greater certainty to applicants & abutters

Clear standardsNo waiversMost intensive review for new construction

6. Encourage sustainable developmentGreen building incentives in certain districtsPromote pedestrian and bicycle activity

Zoning ProposalZoning Proposal

• Expand Residence C District (RC)

• Establish Corridor Commercial District (CCD)

• Establish Transit Oriented Districts (TODs)

Residence C (RC) DistrictResidence C (RC) DistrictPurpose:

To establish and preserve medium density neighborhoods of one two and three family homes free from other usesone-, two-, and three-family homes, free from other uses except those which are both compatible with and convenient to the residents of such districts.

Characteristics:

Permitted Uses: 1-, 2-, & 3-family by right; Multiple dwellings by special permit; Some commercial uses under 5,000 s.f. by right; Some commercial uses by special permit

Maximum Height: 3 stories or 40 feetMaximum FAR: 2.0Setbacks: 15’ front; 20’ rear; variable side

Corridor Commercial DistrictCorridor Commercial DistrictPurpose:

To manage development along heavily traveled transportationcorridors especially where those corridors meet at commercialcorridors, especially where those corridors meet at commercialsquares.

Objectives:j

• Dovetail transportation and economic development

• Encourage mid-rise commercial mixed use developmentcou age d se co e c a ed use de e op e

• Discourage inappropriate auto-oriented uses

• Promote pedestrian and bicycle activityPromote pedestrian and bicycle activity

Corridor Commercial District (CCD)Corridor Commercial District (CCD)FAR –3.0 Height – 55 ft

Characteristics

FAR 3.0 Height 55 ft

• Flexible changes of use according to “Use Clusters”

• Commercial ground floor

• Continuous street wall

• Small commercial bays

• Infill development

• Reduced parking requirements

• Payment in lieu of parking

Transit Oriented DistrictsTransit Oriented DistrictsPurpose:

To encourage mixed-use transit-oriented development with well-designed pedestrian access near transit connections anddesigned pedestrian access near transit connections andcommercial squares.

Objectives:j

• Facilitate a mix of uses that contribute to a vibrant business environment and increase street-level activities

• Redevelop vacant or underutilized land with appropriate density mixed use development

I th l f ff d bl h i• Increase the supply of affordable housing

• Encourage sustainable development

Transit Oriented District 55 (TOD 55)Transit Oriented District 55 (TOD 55)FAR – 3.0 Height – 55 ft

Purpose:To allow for mixed-use development opportunities in

close proximity to existing lower-density residentialclose proximity to existing lower density residential neighborhoods. Where mapped in commercial squares, development is anticipated to be a mix of commercial and residential uses. Where mapped on local serving streets, development is anticipated to be predominantly residential in nature.

Characteristics:

• Mid-rise primarily residential environment

Creates buffer for residential neighborhoods• Creates buffer for residential neighborhoods

• Reduced parking requirements

Transit Oriented District 70 (TOD 70)Transit Oriented District 70 (TOD 70)Non Green FAR 3 5 Height 55 ft

Purpose:

Thi d t d it b di t i t h ll l t b

Non-Green FAR – 3.5 Height – 55 ftGreen FAR – 4.0 Height – 70 ft

This moderate-density sub-district shall complement nearby existing developments and serve as a gateway to higher-density districts. Pedestrian oriented uses are often required in this sub-di t i t l j bli t t t ti it t thdistrict along major public streets to encourage activity at the street level.

Characteristics:Characteristics:

• Pedestrian oriented requirement supports street level activity• Upper level step back after 55 ft height• Upper level step back after 55 ft height• Green building incentive• 5% arts related uses• 15% affordable housing• 15% affordable housing

Pedestrian Oriented RequirementPedestrian Oriented Requirement

• Identify blocks that need specific requirement for pedestrian uses: 35% or 65%.p

• Pedestrian Uses include:

•Small or large retail and service;•Small or large retail and service;

•eating and drinking establishments;

k d•parks and open space;

•rapid transit facilities; and

•municipal uses.

• Will allow space for lobby and entry to parking.

Proposed Map AmendmentProposed Map Amendment

NEXT STEPSNEXT STEPSNEXT STEPSNEXT STEPS•• OSPCD to draft Staff Report for submission to the OSPCD to draft Staff Report for submission to the

Board of AldermenBoard of AldermenBoard of Aldermen Board of Aldermen

•• Board of Aldermen will refer the proposal to the Board of Aldermen will refer the proposal to the Planning Board and BOA Land Use CommitteePlanning Board and BOA Land Use CommitteePlanning Board and BOA Land Use CommitteePlanning Board and BOA Land Use Committee

•• A joint hearing of the Planning Board and Land Use A joint hearing of the Planning Board and Land Use Committee must be held by July 18 2009Committee must be held by July 18 2009Committee must be held by July 18, 2009Committee must be held by July 18, 2009

•• Abutters, community members and property owners Abutters, community members and property owners will be able to provide testimony at the joint hearingwill be able to provide testimony at the joint hearingwill be able to provide testimony at the joint hearing. will be able to provide testimony at the joint hearing.

•• Planning Board and Land Use Committee submit Planning Board and Land Use Committee submit their recommendation to the Board of Aldermentheir recommendation to the Board of Aldermentheir recommendation to the Board of Aldermen their recommendation to the Board of Aldermen

Thanks to Focus Group!Thanks to Focus Group!Thanks to Focus Group!Thanks to Focus Group!

Carrie DancyCarrie Dancy Walter PeroWalter PeroCarrie DancyCarrie DancyJoe GraftonJoe GraftonAlfred DellicicchiAlfred Dellicicchi

Walter PeroWalter PeroEllin ReisnerEllin ReisnerBill RocheBill Roche

Denise MarchDenise MarchStephen MartoranoStephen MartoranoSandra McGoldrickSandra McGoldrick

Jeff TakleJeff TakleErika TarlinErika TarlinAnne TateAnne TateSandra McGoldrickSandra McGoldrick

Cecily MillerCecily MillerIan NewtonIan Newton

Anne TateAnne TateLynne ThompsonLynne ThompsonKen TotahKen TotahPeter TsourianisPeter TsourianisPeter TsourianisPeter Tsourianis

CONTACT INFOCONTACT INFOMonica Lamboy, Executive DirectorMonica Lamboy, Executive Director mlamboy@somervillema.govmlamboy@somervillema.gov

Madeleine Masters, Planning DirectorMadeleine Masters, Planning Director mmasters@somervillema.govmmasters@somervillema.govgg @ g@ g

Rob May, Director of Economic DevtRob May, Director of Economic Devt rmay@somervillema.govrmay@somervillema.gov

Steven Azar, Senior PlannerSteven Azar, Senior Planner sazar@somervillema.govsazar@somervillema.gov

Christopher DiIorio, Senior PlannerChristopher DiIorio, Senior Planner cdiiorio@somervillema.govcdiiorio@somervillema.gov

Lori Massa, PlannerLori Massa, Planner lmassa@somervillema.govlmassa@somervillema.gov

OSPCDOSPCD93 Highland Avenue93 Highland Avenue

Somerville, MA 02143Somerville, MA 02143617617--625625--6600 x 25006600 x 2500

www.somervillema.govwww.somervillema.gov